Went camping in Burr Oak State Park again, this time to meet up with Bennett and Mikayla from Cincinnati. This way we could be outside and social distance responsibly during these COVID times but still talk- much better than a phone call! Anyway, camping sites were packed and weather uncooperative when we arrived Friday to set up- Wendy and I rigged up a sheltered space with tarps, rope, bungees and clothespins that surprised us by how well it held up and worked. We did get in a nice kayak paddle on the lake before the rain began. The hike itself started late Saturday morning and was ALL forest trails. It was a special treat that it did not rain at all as was forecasted! Was one of the more beautiful section hikes we have done, but also more up and down than we are used to. The geography was much like Hocking Hills; a lot of rocky ledges with overhangs creating cave-like shelters. The trail ran all along the lake although water was mostly invisible. Blazing was a bit confusing at times. It was hot and humid, though, so we treated ourselves to a swim at the end of the day- water was rather warm, although Mikayla may not agree. We were treated to turkey vultures picking the grills clean of the previous nights scraps. Even though seeing Benjo and Mikayla was a treat, we were all ready to go home Sunday morning to get cleaned up.
Massillon, sections 5-10 (6/21/20)
First, Happy Fathers Day to me, my brother and all my friends! As for our hike, we knew it would be hot so we started out earlier than usual at 8:30 to beat the heat…good idea, nature countered with a hotter day than promised, or maybe it was just the road radiating heat back up through our shoes. Baked from top to bottom. In short, it was terrible- all road, little shade, and we overdid mileage out of a lack of good parking locations…we vowed never to roast ourselves again like that. Took many breaks in shade where we could find it, were rationing our water at end, etc. There were some highlights, however, that helped out tremendously, both physically and mentally. First, we lunched by the Nimisila reservoir and saw/heard lots of loud splashing among lily pads as some gigantic fish were feeding at the surface- was like every minute and quite entertaining! By halfway we were dragging and came upon an abandoned YMCA camp/lake, so we walked into shaded shallows, splashed around and rested…that refresher lasted about a mile. We then crossed paths with Kay, who had just finished the same sections we were hiking and was returning to her car by bike! Don’t know where she got the energy but we ALL appreciated the shady break to chat and share stories. Finally, nearing the last two miles, we ran across Vivian, who had just put out her sprinkler to water the front garden of her cute house. We asked if we could soak ourselves, and she went beyond by giving us bottles of ice-cold water- what a life saver! Cold water is MUCH more restorative and refreshing than hot water. She was a true trail angel and life saver! Even so, we only just managed to finish the hike and immediately sat in the car with full air-conditioning. Never again.
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Massillon, sections 1-5 (6/14/20)
A SUPER day for hiking! Sunny with a cool breeze all day! Was another all road day but a little more back road traveling. Pleasant surprise right at start with a cheery pedestrian tunnel under road to school across street! Feel bad for kids who didn’t get a joyous graduation send-off from school in this time of COVID. Was again a day of barns, we were all mesmerized by the fields of wheat (?) that undulated and flowed with the rhythms of the wind- you could just sit and watch it all day, like being at the ocean. There were also these two amazing yellow maple (?) trees along our route that just popped out of background! You couldn’t miss them. We talked a lot about what is the best small camper to travel/live in as we dream of becoming gypsies of sorts some day. Passed a couple who were hiking the BT in the opposite direction- husband was carrying a large backpack in training for a (hopeful) trip to Half Dome this summer. Also passed what seemed to be a peaceful George Floyd demonstration in a public gathering space in town- such a divided time we live in now on so many different levels; politics, health, race…its nice to step away from it into the sunshine for a brief respite. Finished day with a rewarding ice cream and learned a new concept: an adult milkshake = alcohol included! Why ruin a good thing?
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Mogadore, section 24.5- Massillon, section 1 (6/7/20)
This hike should finish off Mogadore! Beautiful day as well. We began the hike calling it a barn walk because we passed so many of them, although not too many animals were interested in us today. Passed a lot of corn fields, so I decided to follow their growth during our future travels. We also came upon an old friend mid-hike as we entered woods again at Quail Hollow State Park- seems like forever that this happened. Although the trails were not well marked, and we meandered a bit among several trails, BT or not, it was nice, shady and cooler in the woods, albeit my allergies were now suddenly awakened. We still have a bit more south to hike on the Massillon section before we catch up with the south end of the Akron section, so actually a little disappointed we are not yet ready to go north and complete Little Loop.