History

History

HISTORY CORNER

Sap House Breakfasts and Hikes

Favorite spring outing for Tramp and Trail were the sap house hikes from 1998-2017. The late Dave and Carole Huxtable, devoted long-time members, were the hosts of the annual sap house hikes. Dozens of Tramps would make the drive to their farm in Millers Mills. Dave would gather everyone in the sap house to explain the process of turning sap from his sugar bushes into maple syrup that many enjoyed for decades. The highlight of the visit would be sampling the sweet liquid poured over pancakes made onsite by Dave and Carole. (Probably the reason most Tramps attended!) After a hearty breakfast, Dave would lead the group on a hike. If there were still snow, on the ground, it would be a ski or snowshoe on the old railroad bed and woodland trails surrounding the farm. Sadly, this event came to an end with Dave’s passing in November 2017.

                                                                                                        Submitted by Bobbie Scarpino

Special note: The love of maple sugaring was passed on to Dave’s family. His daughter and her husband, Karen and Patrick Hooker, continue to carry on the tradition. They have invited the Tramps for an outing at their own sugarhouse in April. (Sorry, no pancakes!) Look for it in this schedule!

Photo from Tramp and Trail archives 4/1/2000.

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Beginnings                                                             

“A meeting will be held at the Utica Public Library
Friday evening at eight o’clock for
the purpose of organizing a
Tramp and Trail Club, having
as its object the formation
of hiking parties for exercise
and nature study. The development
of new trails in the Adirondacks also is to be suggested as a
club feature.”
Utica Daily Press, April 1921

From this meeting an outdoor club was born that would continue until the current day.
This webpage will document some of the Tramp and Trail Club’s interesting history.
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Each quarter, a small article can be found in our Hike Schedule.
Additional articles are posted here:

Sap House Breakfast and Hikes
Old Time Tramp Celebrations
Utica’s Union Station
A Tale of Two Annual Summer Events
The Civilian Conservation Corps
Tramp and Trail Club at Oriskany
Lost In The Woods
Remembering Frank Guilfoil
Local Rails to Trails
75th Anniversary Trip
Tramps Go to The Olympics
Tramp and Trail Club April 30, 1921 Hike Write Up
Skiing? Not Always
Trail Maintenance Over the Years
Tramp and Trailering with the Higgersons in the 50s and 60s
The Formation of the Tramp and Trail Club
First Weekend Trip Feb 10 to 12, 1923
The Birth of the Corn Roast
The Beginnings of the Interesting Evenings
Annual Report of the Secretary of the Tramp and Trail Club of Utica January 1922
Winter History Corner
Paper Plate Poem
The First Hike
Early Hikes
Women’s Hiking Attire in the 1920’s
Club Donations
Camping in the Early Years
History Book 2003-2015 is Published
First Ski and Snowshoe & Winter Carnivals
Early Members
What Happened to Jack Dorn?
Erie Canal – Then and Now
Bicycling in Ireland – 1986