Browsed by
Tag: bike

#6542 – Buffalo Head to Hawkinsville – July 30, 2016

#6542 – Buffalo Head to Hawkinsville – July 30, 2016

Comments 0 Comment

Write-up: Mary Pat Connors
Leader: Mary Pat Connors
Co-Leader: Roger Felske

boonville-ny-dam-sticker

The weather gods were with us, relieving us of the extreme heat of previous days.

The day began with temps in the sixties and with slightly overcast skies. From the Buffalo Head, we followed the route north on Lake Rd. to Kincaid to Horton. Here the traffic was very low and the peace enjoyable. Once we reached Route 28 however, there was much traffic zooming by, as expected on a Saturday in July. Fortunately there is a wide shoulder on this gradual but steady uphill to Woodgate.

After turning onto Woodgate Rd., several made pit stops in the Woodgate Library.

Traveling this hogsback of Woodgate/Hawkinsville Rd. is very enjoyable with a favorite downhill covering about a mile of curving shaded road.

We passed by the Hogsback State Forest, a part of the Adirondack Foothills Management Unit, which consists of six state forests and 21 detached parcels of Forest Preserve. “The majority of these State Forest lands were purchased in the early 1930’s, in an effort to reclaim poor, unproductive farm lands and prevent further serious soil erosion…Civilian Conservation Corps Camp S-122 was located where the DEC Maintenance Facility now is on the Hawkinsville Road, adjacent to Hogsback State Forest. From about 1935 to 1941, many young men planted trees, and built roads, bridges and fire lanes in the surrounding area.” (http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/97049.html)

TnT Hawkinsville 7/30/16We stopped at the Hawkinsville dam for a lunch/snack break, enjoying the shade and the running river water.

Hawkinsville Dam

 

TnT Hawkinsville 7/30/16

We continued on Edmonds Rd. past the put-in for the public fishing stream and followed along the Black River, a very picturesque part of the ride. Crossing the now-closed bridge on foot we then made the ascent up to Millers Woods Rd and back to Forestport and the Buffalo Head.

The Tramps have been very pleased to have the Buffalo Head re-opened so we can again enjoy some cold beverages there.

#6517 & #6518 – Wolfe Island, Wellesley Island – May 29 & 30, 2016

#6517 & #6518 – Wolfe Island, Wellesley Island – May 29 & 30, 2016

Comments 0 Comment

Write-up: Bobbie Scarpino
Leader: Bobbie Scarpino
Co-leaders: Jerry Stewart and Carolyn Eastman

A colorful group of 22 Tramps with bicycles boarded the ferry in Cape Vincent to cross the St. Lawrence River to Wolfe Island.

TnT Wolfe Island Bobbie

TnT Wolfe Island Bobbie
After passing through customs with ease, (Even Dick was allowed through!) we biked the seven relatively flat miles on the main road across the island to Marysville. We encountered no more than two cars on this entire route as we rode by endless fields and numerous towering windmills.

TnT Wolfe Island Bobbie

TnT Wolfe Island Bobbie

As we rolled into town, the ferry in Marysville was waiting to take us across the river to the city of Kingston. As we disembarked amongst the heavy traffic from the ferry, we all managed to regroup and stay together as we made our way through a few city streets and traffic lights. It was clear sailing (with the exception of Jim’s flat tire) on the five-mile road that took us to the Kingston Mills Locks and its beautiful park. The locks are a series of steps with a turning basin on the Rideau Canal used by pleasure craft. An hour was spent enjoying our lunch and roaming the grounds before retracing our route back to the US.

TnT Kingston Locks

 

TnT Kingston Locks

TnT Kingston Locks Bobbie

On the return trip, we split into various groups to enjoy the different amenities offered on Canadian soil. A few enjoyed a beverage on the riverfront in Kingston, others discovered the ice cream shop and bakery in Marysville, and several relaxed with a Canadian brew at the Wolfe Island Grill. Once back on the US side, most of our group spent the night at various establishments in order to participate in the next day’s adventure in the 1000 Island region.

Memorial Day began with a scrumptious breakfast at the Misiaszek’s home on Wellesley Island. A special thank you to Jean and Emil for graciously sharing their beautiful place on the water’s edge and preparing a delicious array of breakfast food for all of the Tramps!

TnT Wellesley Is. Misiaszeks

To burn off all of those calories, we set off to hike at Wellesley Island State Park. Unfortunately the entire group had difficulty finding the park and the trailhead due to the fact that the leader and co-leader took off too fast and no one was following. We are really sorry for the confusion it caused. Eventually everyone found our starting point that took us on a trail along the river’s edge. Climbing up at the point of the island gave us an awesome view of The Narrows. From our high perch we spotted an osprey flying to its nest of many young ones atop an electrical pole on an island directly across from us.

TnT Wellesley Island

TnT Wellesley Island

Our hike of about 3.5 miles brought us back to our cars where once again everyone went off on their own adventure to complete the weekend’s trip. One group toured Boldt Castle, a few went to see the “Painted Ladies” (beautiful Victorian Homes on the island), and some visited the 1000 Island Winery. Passing motorists reported that this latter group was later seen on the pedestrian walk of the 1000 Island Bridge dancing to “Uptown Funk.” The identity of these Tramps remains a mystery!

It was a great way to end this two-day adventure spent with wonderful friends, spectacular scenery, and glorious weather. And for another happy ending – my new cellphone was found at the Wolfe Island Grill. It has been retrieved and reactivated!

More photos may be found in Galleries.