Tramp & Trail

Write-up: Meg Higgerson
Leader: Meg Higgerson
Co-Leader: Karen Oeink

On a cold and blustery Thanksgiving weekend day,

The turkey was boned, leftovers stashed away.

Forty-nine Tramps came out for the hike,

The leader should probably have had a mike!

The neighbors had questions. Where were they all going?

We hiked and we chatted as the wind was a’ blowing

Six miles were covered; turkey calories burned.

With laughs and fun by the time we returned.

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

Where can you hike and see a pileated woodpecker, beautiful stone stairways, an old canal, a reflecting pool, a peregrine falcon and a 9-11 Memorial – all within the Utica city limits?
We had a 5-mile hike in Proctor Park and up the parkway that amazed even the leaders!
Since gaining designation as a National Historic Park, Proctor Park has been working to repair existing stonework, build new trails and bridges and generally make this landmark an inviting and exciting destination. Twenty-nine hikers, including 2 young grandchildren, walked the paved paths and lesser known woodland paths along the creeks and were treated to unexpected sightings of wildlife.
We followed one path that took us all the way to the Masonic home properties through a dense copse of trees and vines crisscrossed with deer tracks and herdpaths. The trail itself was well maintained except for a couple of recent blow downs and we could see where a bridge used to cross the stream to a parallel path on the other side. There was evidence of very high water and we wondered if the bridge fell victim to the July flood this past year. We then followed the paved path up the parkway to the relatively new 9-11 memorial.

Saplings line the path the full distance and memorial pavers can be found at the base of some. These stones commemorate deceased veterans from various wars. The rain held off and we were all surprised by the historical and interesting sights of the day making this hike a great one for after a holiday when you really don’t want to drive far.
Afterwards a large group went to Piggy Pat’s to continue the fun!

Write-up: Pam Carrier
Leader: Pam Carrier
Co-Leader: Margaret Decker

We had a nice day and a great turn-out for the Canal clean-up.

Write-up: Jerry Stewart
Leader: Jerry Stewart

Saturday’s hike was the Greenbelt trails in Trenton. Though cold in the morning, 21 showed up to get a little exercise in before going to the club harvest dinner at the Franklin that evening. I was asked to lead, the scheduled leader had to be elsewhere, so I was it. I don’t know the trail very well but when you are with the Tramps, there are very few trails at least one of them doesn’t know. In this case I had a few that helped keep me on track. It’s a nice trail, not far away, I would recommend it to those of you wanting to get started as it’s an easy hike close by. Leaves still out, quite picturesque isn’t it? 1/2 way thru the hike we paused for a moment of silence to remember the 2 past presidents of our club who passed this week. Dave and Roger’s spirit will be forever with us on the trails. The hike ended up being about 5 miles. At the conclusion I suggested a stop at a local watering hole or ….. Stewart’s for an ice cream. Most opted to go take advantage of the weather and do some end of season yard work. I met a couple for my favorite frozen treat! I was out Sunday exploring the Brookfield horse trails on another tramp hike. That story is for Bobbie to write. I hope you all had a great weekend, see you on the trails.