Tramp & Trail

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.