Tramp & Trail

Write-up: Bobbie Scarpino
Leader: Bobbie Scarpino
Co-leader: Pam Carrier

Three days prior to this scheduled bike, we were driving in white-out, blizzard conditions and experiencing freezing temperatures. Having little faith that the weather forecasters would be correct with predictions of spring arriving on Sunday, this leader and co-leader decided to change the bike to a hike. As it turned out, the sun was out in all of its glory and only light jackets were needed.

26 Tramps enjoyed a 6-mile loop hike on very hilly country roads in the Town of Augusta. Leaving the Village of Oriskany Falls, our first climb took us past the Barker Brook Golf Course where we cheered on a number of golfers who were very happy to be back on the greens for the first time this year.

At the top of one hill with a 180 degree view of the surrounding valley (known to locals as “Starvation Corners”), a friendly neighbor came over to chat with our group. He added to our hike by taking us on a wooded path behind his property that ended at a pond.

On the way back down Skyline Drive, Meg surprised her grandniece (Sue’s grandaughter) who was playing outside with a big hug. Bobbie trespassed onto the lawn of her former home to say hello to the new owners who were taking advantage of the beautiful weather to rake up outside.

Before returning to our cars, we stopped for a view of the Oriskany Falls. A side trip to the Boro for a brew and popcorn made a perfect ending for a perfect day.

Write-up: Lu Blanchard
Leader: Lu Blanchard
Co-Leader: Dick Blanchard

Who would have thought that a trip to the Matt’s brewery would create so much interest? It’s not like we Tramps look forward to a beer after a hike! Forty-one people showed up for the hike to Utica Psychiatric Center and the Brewery Tour. Many thought we were doing the tour first (!) but I said, “no, you have to walk before you get the reward!”

We started by walking to the Utica Psychiatric Center (formerly the NYS Lunatic Asylum of Utica) and checking out Old Main and some of the other buildings. Meg Higgerson, who used to work there along with Grace McNasser, shared her knowledge of what the buildings were used for when the whole complex was open. Old Main was built in 1843 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. If you are lucky enough to get on the list,  you can take a tour twice a year to see some of the inside. It used to be a lot easier to get someone committed to the Center, and it is good that it changed or we may have left a couple of the walkers there! just kidding.

After walking through the complex and checking out the ducks at Chester’s florist shop we returned to the Brewery to wait our turn for the tour.

For a lot of us we had been on the tour years before, but wanted to see and hear about the changes they have made over the years. We had a great guide who took us from the beginnings, through Prohibition, to modern times in about a 45 minute tour. He also shared his favorite new brews which we tried in the tasting room.(The Breakfast Stout was really good and at over 10% alcohol it only took a small one to have me buzzed.)

We learned that Matt’s Brewery is now the 14th largest in the country for Craft Beers and 24th overall. They contract with many smaller breweries such as Lake Placid and Samuel Adams to produce some of their lines. One thing that has changed is you can now order beer and flights of 4 types of beer in the tasting room. Thanks to Kathy C. for leading us in the old Schultz and Dooley song about Utica Club. Unfortunately, their beer is no longer carbonated the natural way – they now use piped-in carbon dioxide.
After the tour some Tramps went to local eateries to sober up before driving home.

Write-up: Sharon Kaelin
Leader: Sharon Kaelin
Co-Leader: Amanda Zdanowicz

Who put this on the schedule as EASY? Oh, that’s right, that would be me.
What was I thinking? It might have been easier if we wore our snowshoes, but we didn’t because the beginning trail that we could see was packed down. So we went with microspikes.

The start of the trail was packed down with just a little new snow on it. But when we crossed the lock bridge the foot prints stopped and we began post-holing in six to eight inches of snow. At the first stop on the other side of the bridge two tramps turned back. At the second stop two more tramps turned back. When we got to the railroad tracks one more turned back. I was starting to take it personally.

So the remaining six of us, made our way down the marsh trail to the observation tower where Amanda gave a St Patrick’s day quiz that all passed with flying colors. The walk back was easier having tramped it down already. Everyone received a shamrock pin and a gold (chocolate) coin and had a good day in the wind and sun.

Write-up: Walt Pillar
Leader: Walt Pillar
Co-Leader: Sharon Kaelin

Twenty-three Tramps began a hike in Sherrilbrook Park on a cloudy Saturday in early March.
Part of the event was to traverse some of the lesser used trails behind the park. However, a nor’easter had dumped about 20 inches of heavy wet snow the previous week that made some of these trails impassable due to fallen trees, branches and bushes.

Skiing would also have been very difficult, so all Tramps snowshoed. We had a pleasant traverse along some of the ravines at the edge of the park to the pavilion at the north edge of the park. At that point some of the tramps removed their snowshoes and hiked on the plowed path while others broke trail through the heavy snow back to the start. The length of the event was shortened to 2.7 miles from the intended 4 miles.

Write-up: Jerry Stewart
Leader: Jerry Stewart
Co-leader: Lori Waterman

I know you are all wondering, so how did your outing to Chateaugay go?
Cold and rainy, who would possibly go?

Five intrepid outdoorsmen kept the faith and braved the elements for a great adventure. The weather cooperated for the most part, into the woods the wind was a non-issue. Misty rain at times but that didn’t stop us. Two on skis, 3 on snow shoes and off we went. The first picture you see is a little foreshadowing of what was to come for me. My job as leader is to make the outing interesting and I believe I did that in my own personal style.

The scenery through the woods is nice, small streams abound and tall trees make for easy viewing through the woods. The trail was fairly flat but did provide a few opportunities for me to demonstrate ski daredevilry. The snow wasn’t snowplow friendly so hills were to be taken with no brakes. I shot down one hill and flew over the bridge, much to the amusement of the group.

We stopped at various places to chat and share stories. When we scouted this Saturday, I gave Lori the trail name “Sacajawea,” the famed Indian guide of Lewis and Clark exploring the West. She found small snow bridges over the streams which kept us dry and moving forward. A little unnerving while crossing but added to the adventure. Some of you may know I’m quite a George of the Jungle fan. For my last trick I went down a hill, missed the curve and swung my arm around a small tree so I flew up in the air and back down with my George grip tight around the tree to avoid the waters beyond. Sorry, no pictures of that.

We stopped after at the Florence Hotel.
We visited with the owner who had many stories to share. The picture is of the church near the hotel. She told of how such a small community raised 60k to have it matched by someone to save it from ruin. She told of spirit happenings and her famous fish fry. Lori and I stayed to sample her fish, mm mm. I know what you’re thinking after reading this. How can so much happen on a day like that. Actually, is was like most things in life, something you just had to be there to appreciate. Hop out of the chair, come along and find out what you’re missing out on. Better weather just around the corner, such adventures to be had. See you on the trail.

Write-up: Bobbie Scarpino
Leader: Bobbie Scarpino
Co-Leader: Mike Huss

Lots of snow and perfect winter temperatures greeted 30 members as we filled the main lodge and both prayer cabins for our 7th annual winter weekend at Camp Fowler in Speculator on Friday afternoon, February 16. For almost half of our group it was their first experience for this favorite Tramp adventure.

Upon settling in and making up beds, we gathered as usual in front of the fireplace in the Great Room for our cocktail hour before dinner. A walk in the dark on the premises helped to digest the pasta meal we had all enjoyed. It was necessary to wear microspikes because the roads around the camp were sheer ice. Rowdy pitch games and ping-pong matches followed until retiring for bed.

One particular Tramp found his bed mysteriously missing upon return from playing ping-pong in the basement. Perhaps his roommate had decided he was not worthy of sharing a room? Luckily for this Tramp, Mike intervened to have the mischief makers keep the bed inside the lodge rather than outside in the snow. However, before the bed was retrieved by the unfortunate fellow, 4 ladies enjoyed the comfort of his bed in the Great Room.

After breakfast Saturday morning with the sun shining, it was decided to snowshoe/microspike Sacandaga Lake. Since the lake was rutted and crusty, skiing didn’t seem to be feasible.
Emil was not one to be discouraged. Donning his skis and staying close to the shoreline in a snowmobile track, he glided along with ease and had a wonderful time. Many on snowshoes explored the camp across the lake and continued on to the other side where they found a beautiful picnic area.

Meeting the interests and needs of many people, we broke up into a few groups after lunch to go to different places. Bobbie had scoped out the Dunning Pond Trail on Friday, with Jorden, our cook, who knew the area, along with Carolyn, and Diana who broke trail the whole way in deep snow.

This trail goes from Gilmantown Rd. in Wells over to Rt. 30 and has not been used since a blow down in the late 90’s. Six Tramps went back to this area with Bobbie Saturday afternoon to snowshoe a little over 1.5 miles into the pond, with a short bushwhack down to the pond for a round trip of almost 4 miles. Many decided to snowshoe the trails at Oak Mountain to the top of the downhill ski slope taking in awesome views on the way back down. Still others followed Emil’s earlier route on the lake with skis. When we all returned from our outdoor activities, a delicious pork roast dinner awaited us.

Madonna and Don gathered up a few others in Mapledale to join us for a ski along the Kunjamuk on Sunday. We were grateful for the few inches of snow that had fallen during the night to make for great skiing conditions on the trail. But more snow had fallen southwest of Speculator to cause hazardous driving conditions and a longer than normal drive up. A decision was made to send small groups off on the trail as they arrived to ski/snowshoe.

Of course this meant that people returned and left for home at different times. One Tramp in one of the last groups off the trail, saw the car she had ridden in to the trailhead leaving the parking area. She had come with a few others before the hike to skate in Speculator’s outdoor rink, leaving her purse in the car (with phone and car keys tucked safely inside). She reminded one of her companions (the same one who had his bed stolen) that she would retrieve it at the end of the hike to ride back home with others in the group . . . but he forgot! We tried calling their cell phones, but they were turned off. Numerous calls were made to her cell phone in her purse . . . but they were never heard! Alas, this small party of three had to track the culprit back to his house to collect the purse! (He got what he deserved the next day with a beating over the head with a wet noodle.)

Many of our group enjoyed a beverage and dinner at the Oxbow Inn to end another wonderful Tramp weekend in Speculator. Join us again next year, same time, same place!

Write up: Debra Roberts
Leader: Halsey Bagg
Co-leader: Debra Roberts

Originally, this hike was planned to be Selkirk Shores State Park on the shores of Lake Ontario. However, weather predictions of freezing rain made us decide to keep it local. Seven people braved the weather and met at the McDonald’s on Erie Boulevard. We hiked a trail off of Oswego Road in the Rome Sand Plains.

The hike started in deep snow on a trail we had broken the day before. We decided to take a side trail for additional length. During this 1.4 miles side trail the rain began. It started as a drizzle and before long was a steady light rain. At the completion of this trail we decided not to continue on the two miles we had planned.

The most challenging event was when Halsey started to redo the loop we encountered at the middle of the trail. Fortunately, Walt started to question the direction of the footprints we were stepping on, and with Deb’s insistence that Halsey check his navigation system, he redirected us. We thought we had gone into the loop in a clockwise fashion, but in fact had been in it in a counterclockwise fashion.

Write-up: Madonna Fellows
Leader: Madonna Fellows
Co-Leader: Norma Vleer

The thirty plus degree temperatures and lots of snow delighted 20 Tramps. There were some members that we have not seen for a number of years, one we wished we saw less of (he sometimes calls himself “SIR”). We actually were happy he showed up this time because he helped break trail for the ski group.

Fourteen of the twenty abandoned the idea of skiing and stepped into their snowshoes. Four of us decided to brave the fast snow and ski. The snow was deep and dense, and unbroken trails made for a good workout for both skiers and those on snowshoes. Nonetheless, those walking did four miles and skiers logged in five miles.

As we exited the woods to head home the rain began to pick up; we were happy we were able to complete our hike without getting wet.

As always, there were lots of laughs and comradery to be had at the end of the day at a local pub.

Write-up: Madonna Fellows
Leader: Madonna Fellows
Co-Leader: Carolyn Eastman

Seven Tramps started out on Saturday, February 3rd for a planned ski to Tirrell Pond. The roads got progressively worse the farther north we drove. Once we reached Eagle Bay there was genuine concern as to whether we should continue. It was unanimously decided to venture no further and to take advantage of the trails at Moss, Sis and Bubb lakes.
The snow was marginal for skiing and we found it wasn’t even necessary to use microspikes. We had a most enjoyable hike to all three lakes and found the woods to be serene and peaceful.
How lucky we are to be “Tramps!”