Write-up: Don and Madonna Fellows
Leader: Don Fellows
Co-Leader: Madonna Fellows
Fourteen of us did a 20-mile bike ride from New Woodstock on Sunday. We dodged the rain but had to deal with some wind. It was real nice countryside with beautiful homes, farms and distant views.
After the ride we went to Delphi Falls county park which was recently acquired by Madison County. Yes, we also visited the brewery on our return home.
Write-up: Dianna Morris
Leader: Dianna Morris
Co-Leader: Don Fellows
Eighteen of us headed out – with those who got into their kayaks before the rest of us heading one way on the lake only to have to cross back over to rejoin the group. There was a nice breeze, but that same breeze that cooled us also made for some rougher water. Fortunately it was at our back and we had hopes that it would subside before we had to head back. I counted six loons out on the water, included what looked to me a mama loon with a few babies bobbing their heads in the lake and staying quite close to mama. Along the shores I saw a lot of cinnamon ferns (Osmonda cinnamonea) with their upright, cinnamon colored reproductive stems providing a nice contrast to the bright green foliage.
At 2.5 miles, right at the tip of the big island, some paddlers opted to turn back to avoid having to battle more of the waves. The rest of us continued onward around the island, ate lunch and oatmeal cookies and then began the turn back down the lake toward our put-in. Most of us decided to paddle back on the opposite side of the lake in hopes of having the trees along the shore block more of the wind – wrong choice! The wind and waves were much stronger on that side of the lake and we ended up battling them the entire way back – and this was the longer route back as well. We saw some whitecaps and if we stopped paddling, immediately found ourselves going backward. The few who decided to paddle back on the same side of the lake we had already paddled had less wind, but still found paddling against the wind to be a great upper body workout.
Eventually, we joined back up with the first group who turned back and we all paddled against the wind and waves and made it safely back to the put-in. Here is where it got interesting – the anticipated black flies that nicely left us alone when we first arrived were now out in full force and hungry for blood. A man-tripping rock in the water along the shore joined forces with the winds to create some mischief. The rock jumped up and grabbed Waz’ foot and tripped him; the wind took off with Jim’s kayak and when Jim tried to run to get his kayak, that nasty rock downed him once again! End result? Two skinned knees, a recaptured kayak and all safely on land at last.
Some suggestions I was given which I pass along for any who decide to do this paddle in the future include: arrange for better parking, invite Arnold Schwarzenegger to join us so he can carry our kayaks down to the lake, inform the wind gods to cease their play while we are out on the lake, and make sure the black flies know that we do not want them anywhere near us!
Write-up: Meg Higgerson
Leader: Meg Higgerson
Co-Leader: Sharon Kaelin
The Tramps were out, but the Strawberry Moon was not to be found. The full moon in June is named such because this was the time to pick wild strawberries.
On this rainy evening we hiked under umbrellas or raincoats up the switchbacks at Valley View Golf Course. As we descended back to the pavilion we were greeted with a lovely clear sunset but still no Strawberry Moon. It was too cloudy!
At the pavilion, Sharon had a fire going and we enjoyed strawberry lemonade, fresh strawberries and some cookies before heading back down to our cars.
Write-up: Walt Pillar
Leader: Walt Pillar
Co-Leader: Greg Sipp
21 of us, including two first timers, hiked 4.5 miles on a beautiful June day. We hiked up Mt. Wellington on the Sleeping Lion Trail, then ate lunch on the porch of Hyde Hall overlooking Otsego Lake and visited the oldest covered bridge in the US. After the hike, several of us had refreshments at the Lake House Restaurant.
Twenty of us hiked up Mount Wellington on a beautiful day. We ate lunch at Hyde Hall, Cooperstown, visited the oldest covered bridge in the US and had refreshments at the Lake House Restaurant, Richfield Springs.
Click here for more great photos from Jim Wasielewski and Dianna Morris.
Leader: Jim Wasielewski
Co-Leader: Lorrie Wasielewski
Write-up: Jim Wasielewski
Seven of us hiked 6.5 miles on a cloudy, misty day. However the rain held off. The bugs did not and we needed our bug-netting. Typical spring day in the Adirondacks.
The Tramps go on the Road!
Leader June 1: Carolyn Eastman; Co-leader: Sarah Cotter
Leader June 2: Sarah Cotter; Co-leader, Carolyn Eastman
Write-up: Sarah Cotter
Saturday: Launching from the parking lot at Gems Along the Mohawk at 8 AM sharp, our little band car-caravaned down the Thruway to New Paltz, then up the road to the Mohonk Preserve, where we started off in bright sunny weather from the Spring Farm trailhead on the Bonticue Crag Trail. The trail soon forked, and the decision had to be made whether to take on the daunting challenge of scrambling 1200 feet up the rocks on the sheer face of Bonticou Crag, or walking up the trail for normal hikers. Those that opted for the scramble were in for a true adventure, complete with a lemon squeeze and plenty of thrilling moments. (See Jerry’s write-up which follows). At the top, the two groups met up for lunch on the rocks with unobstructed views across the valleys of the Catskill Mountains and more thrills, as Tom Schenck edged out on the ledge of the overhanging precipice, daring fate and Nancy’s ire, to get a better view. After lunch, we continued on the trail to Table Rock and more spectacular views, and finally back to the cars. By now, we were all beat by the 80 degree heat and ready for the icy cold beer and pub food of the Gilded Otter Brewery back in New Paltz.
Sunday: Because of thunderstorms threatening in the afternoon and the need to get back to Utica in time for a fellow Tramp’s family wake, we had decided to start Sunday’s activities earlier than scheduled and modify the routes. After a good night’s sleep at the Econolodge in New Paltz, we again split into two groups, this time of hikers and bikers. The hikers drove to the Walkway over the Hudson and then walked a loop that included both the Walkway and the Mid-Hudson Bridge. The bikers started from the Econolodge Parking lot and rode beautifully paved rail trails all the way through Highland Landing and across the Walkway Over the Hudson. We continued on the tree lined and shaded Dutchess County Rail Trail for about ten very pleasant miles until turning around and retracing our path back to again cross the spectacular Walkway. Here we enjoyed “Mangos on the Hudson” along with the exciting view from high above the Hudson River. We re-met the hikers on the other side of the bridge and hurried on to our cars to beat the coming storm. As we loaded up, we were already talking about what our next trip to this remarkable treasure-trove of hiking and biking opportunities will look like, when the Tramps will again go “on the road”!!
Write-Up 2: Jerry Stewart
New Paltz weekend with the tramps. Where is that? It’s about 160 miles on the thruway to exit 18, in the Shawangunk Mountains! Getting there late Saturday morning we went directly to the Mohonk Preserve and hit the trails. We split up after a few miles, some taking the gentler trail, some opting for a rock scramble up a cliff face! Teamwork and support from each other, along with a few laughs got us all to the top. 3/4 of the way up we found a spot to rest and some young kids came thru. Some in our group laughed and told them, “bet you didn’t expect to see grandparents up here!” We all laughed. Tramps age like no others and can do things that most that age would never consider. Snack at the top and off we went to explore more trails. Grace said, “we paid to be here, let’s get our money’s worth.” I smiled, “I’m with you Grace!!” We hiked until 4:30, shared watermelon in the parking lot and drove off to a brewery for a much-deserved cold beverage and dinner. We sang “Happy Birthday” to Thomas Schenck, shared his treat and headed to the hotel. Ha, I know what you’re thinking… Yes, Lori, Tom, Nancy & I went to a local Stewart shop for ice cream later in the evening! There was a dance place next to the hotel but I believe everyone was too tired to go there. On Sunday we traded our hiking boots for sneakers and hopped on the bicycle trail which passed out front. Biked to the “Walkway across the Hudson” and the Duchess Rail Trail. Very nice trail. At the far end of the trail Daddy O’s served up cold beverages in a frosted glass. Being the first customer of the day, you get the pour to flush the line for free! 38-mile ride, oh yeah!
I didn’t get any group pictures but many were taken. Great weekend spent with my friends, ahh the life of a Tramp. Many more opportunities coming this summer, hard to pick and choose what to do as …. the river calls me and I must be there too. Hope you all had a great weekend. Thank you to my tramp friends for a great adventure shared.”
Write-up: Francis Roy
Leader: Francis Roy
Co-Leader: Kathy Countryman
Hike #6873 went from a TBD to a TGB! Francis T. Roy volunteered to lead, and Kathy Countryman volunteered to co-lead a hike to Trenton Green Belt. Several trails were traversed, and no one got lost! Kudos to Mike Huss for his able assistance to the hike leader. Afterwards, several hikers adjourned to a local pizza restaurant for some refreshments. A good time was had by all!