POST – Page 5 – WELCOME to Creeping along the Blue Blazes!

March 17, 2020March 19, 2020

Burton, sections 24-28 (3/15/20)

Initially not looking forward to this long stretch of on-road hike today, but Wendy corralled a new friend, Susan, to join us so that was exciting! This is the first weekend following the Covid19 shutdown of Ohio, and the mixed bag of emotions that go along with it, but we all needed fresh air and kept our distance from one other. Beautiful sunny day to start, and some of us would regret later that we didn’t bring any sunscreen. Who knew- sunny in March? For an entire day? In Ohio? The traffic was light on the roads for the most part and my only complaint was the lack of any grass to walk on off to the side for long stretches since the road was often elevated through wetlands. My other, and last, complaint was the preponderance of empty beer cans scattered in plastic bags down in the ditch as well. I really don’t understand why people do this- its frustrating to see. This was a day filled with unusual signs, many farm animals (including a friendly chicken farmer who was selling eggs) and both beautiful and run-down barns to go along with them. At the end of our hike we heard a chorus of peepers from the marsh announcing spring! Quite an unexpected surprise! This was our longest hike/walk EVER, nearly 11 miles…I think we are slowly getting better at this. Too bad we could not celebrate at a local restaurant at the end like we usually do . Anyway, that does it for the Burton section of the BT!

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March 8, 2020March 12, 2020

Burton, sections 19-24 (3/7/20)

Another sunny day to start, if not a little cold. Hike began through nice stands of tall pines that produced a tiger-striped pattern on ground with the strong sunlight shining between them. Came upon a GREAT camping area with same lean-tos we saw before with inward facing fireplaces, but now right on a lake! Further down ‘the road’ was a boat launch with a log cabin lodge that would be super for large group celebrations. We eventually came out on the paved Maple Highlands trail that went through what seemed like a golf course. Eventually became more private land surrounding trail, with Amish farms adjacent to trail, and we were all VERY surprised when we saw an Amish buggy coming towards us! As it turned out, we were passed several times on this paved trail by buggies going north, so it seemed we were on an off-road buggy super-highway of sorts! Quite exciting- we never tired of seeing them go by! We even passed over another, more ornate, covered bridge. Somehow in our fascination with the Amish we missed our BT turnoff and walked much further along the trail than we should have, ending up at a war memorial that documented the heavy losses suffered by only a few families in this tiny town of Burton Station from WWI until the Afghan war- so sad. Seemed like such a heavy loss burdened by so few families. We re-navigated (thank you GPS!) and finally joined up with BT again further on down the road. Along the way we passed many Amish farms and buggies. We finally came into Burton, where we got lunch at Coffee Corners Antiques, a comfortable little shop with good sandwiches and hot cocoa. Being restored, we visited the log cabin maple syrup shop in the town green, then the century village, and eventually went off the sidewalks into the woods just out of town. Out of no where we came upon a cemetery with many gravestones from the early 1800s-some with beautiful engravings. The BT dived off into a wet lowland wood, which came out onto a field, where we skirted along the outer edge as part of the ‘trail’. We were excited to see a fox up ahead jump off into the surrounding woods, and even more excited when April thought she saw a sleeping fox right off into the woods. Turned out the fox was dead and was among many dead animals in some sort of eery open grave yard of mixed animals, some in plastic bags. Strange way to end a great hike that the all felt was one of the most entertaining we had ever taken!

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March 8, 2020March 14, 2020

Burton, sections 28-31, Mogadore, sections 1-3 (3/1/20)

Excited today to hike with some of Wendy’s friends from Hiram! We met up with Gwen, Ugur and Charmaine at the Fairview cemetery on Ryder Rd to begin. Sunny day, new friends to talk with, rolling fields with classic farm on top of a hill- great start! Gwen left us at the farm but we were quickly joined by RoxieAnn and her dog Jazz as we entered Pioneer trail into Camp Asbury. Slip-slided our way over soggy trails and came across a small group of simple cabins. Was nice to walk through the woods again and it was peaceful except for the chatter of Wendy and her friends. As we emerged from the woods we came across many trees that were collecting maple syrup. We said goodbye to our new friends at Asbury Rd (afternoon naps being mentioned as a looming possibility) and continued on through the fields of the camp and took a snack break at the pond. The trail ducked off into the woods, went down into a boggy lowland and we reached our first truly insurmountable obstacle ever on the BT- a vastly overflowing creek where we couldn’t even reach the bridge! We went back up a ridge and walked downstream until we came to another smaller bridge across the stream- the water was right up to its top boards, and the water was about 5 ft deep in the middle, but it was passable and not too wet on the boggy trail afterwards. This little adventure cost us about 30 min, but we found our way back to the BT and hiked on until we reached the Headwaters trail; basically another paved or crushed limestone multi-use trail. Remarkably, we walked past another couple that Wendy knew from Hiram, stopped to chat and catch-up, and then finished up after a long walk, spilling out onto a side road into Mantua.

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February 23, 2020March 14, 2020

Burton, sections 14.5-19 (2/22/20)

Beautiful sunny day so we decided to go for a long walk today! Started off by asking permission to park in the state police station since this was nearest the trail head and it just so happened an officer was driving in to provide the “ok”. We expected all of todays ‘hike’ to be either on a greenway or a back road, so that also influenced our decision toward a long walk (not really a hike). Rather quickly found our way into the center square of Chardon, where we bought paninnis ‘to go’ at a cozy little place, Beans coffee shop and bistro! Nice venue and food turned out to be great as well. Have to say it was nice walking out of the square with a mocha in hand knowing a good lunch was in my future down the road 🙂 After admiring many rejuvenated old houses while leaving town we again found ourselves at the beginning of the longest greenway ever! Would be great for bikers, which did not appear today because snow covered about half of the walkway. Although kind of boring after a few miles, we weren’t walking next to cars and there were plenty of interesting sights along the way like covered bridges, an awesome-looking tree-top rope climb, the headwaters of the Cuyahoga river, and the occasional dog walker. We were all surprised that the walk went so well and we really didn’t feel much discomfort until about 8 miles! We even had enough energy to go back into Chardon square and visit an antique shop, where, of course, April bought a coat rack and Wendy a blue glass dish. I had no patience to further explore the up- and downstairs…just wanted to finally get in the car and sit after walking 5 hours.

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February 19, 2020March 14, 2020

Burton, sections 11-14.5 (2/16/20)

Welcome Jo, our guest hiker today! Nice and sunny to begin with. Snow was still on the ground as we began through Big Creek Park for the most part with a small adventure on side roads. There were some low wet areas in the park, but were mostly frozen over. Not much special to report except a random crumbling fireplace chimney in middle of woods towards the end of park hike. We decided to make our trail angel here! At very end of hike the BT was a long paved path at a gradual incline (more suitable as a bike path) right next to Ravenna Rd with traffic whizzing by that was so loud you couldn’t hold a conversation with a friend right next to you- geez! Was an uninspiring way to end our day, but a warm bowl of wonton soup in Chardon square helped lift our spirits.

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February 9, 2020March 14, 2020

Burton, sections 8-11 (2/8/20)

Fresh snow! New experience for us- seems like about 6 in out here. We even got to parking lots BEFORE snow plows, which we had to dance around to park. Best thing was that we could see animal tracks crisscrossing BT, although we were mostly clueless about what animals made them. It was nice to start in Girdled Rd reservation- very well maintained and lots of built in steps and bridges…the BEST being a suspension bridge! Very bouncy, so fun to walk across. Came out of the reservation to a lot of road walking- although on one back road there was the New Creation Farm- what an oasis! A cute goat farm with a little store in back that sold natural-raised meats and THE BEST iced cinnamon buns and Hartzler chocolate/vanilla milk I have ever tasted- creamy! Young ladies running the store were all very friendly and helpful. Finally entered Big Creek Park for finish of hike and ran across some awesome camping lean-tos with stone fireplaces facing inward for warmth- spacious and well off the ground. We could still smell and feel the heat from a previous fire. Finished at Meyer Nature center which, unfortunately again, was closed.

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February 4, 2020March 14, 2020

Burton, sections 4-8 (2/1/20)

A sunny day to begin with on the Greenway! You can see why this was an old railroad track- straight as far as you can see for miles…not too much fun but at least not on roads again. Off to side were a few interesting attractions, Chair Falls and Concord Community garden. Got off Greenway for good at Environmental Learning center- seemed promising until we realized it was closed, but we were totally surprised by BIG telescope up top! WHO KNEW? Really have to look into this more. Unfortunately left park and joined roads for the rest of the hike. Highlight was a ‘Flintstones’ house on a back street- looks just like you would imagine- very organic- once again proving hidden treasures can be found off the beaten path.

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January 28, 2020March 14, 2020

Bedford, sections 33-34, Burton, sections 1-4 (1/26/20)

Start of a new year on the BT for our crazy threesome! Not a day that fills you with enthusiasm, as was a typical Northcoast winter day- grey with a chance of rain/snow, but we were all excited nevertheless to be at it again. Hike started at Mentor Headlands Beach- eerie without all the summer people about- but also peaceful. Blustery day on the beach and we detoured to the lighthouse just to get some extra sand in my shoes. Leaving Headlands state park on road past salt and concrete mills was probably the UGLIEST part of BT covered to date, although the abandoned trains were interesting. BT was all road until very end at Greenway, despite what trail map says, and Greenway itself was a paved bike path. Was not all bad, many interesting houses along way. We walked WAY more than we should have as a first hike, and doubled back in car and restored ourselves for an early dinner at Pickel Bills in Fairport Harbor…fun venue on Grand River with ok food, but just sitting in warmth with a drink was restorative. Sure to feel hike tomorrow…

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October 21, 2019March 14, 2020

New Straitsville, sections 13-10 (10/12/19)

“As the crow flies”. I expect to hear those words for a long time. Went to Burr Oak State Park for our annual fall camping weekend with friends Beth & Mark (camp ring leaders), Debbie & Steve, Karen & Ed & Bailey, and Wendy. Ed picked this location so we could double-up and also hike the BT- seemed like a solid plan! Tent camp sites weren’t the most level, neighbors a bit rowdy, and no lights in bathroom, but company was fantastic and weather great after an initial evening gusty downpour that dropped the temp into the 30s. Hard to tell from park map how long hike from dam to lodge would be, so I estimated 3 miles as ‘crow flies’ and figured would maybe be 4-ish- boy was I wrong! Looking at BT map now was just shy of 6 mi. Trail basically ran along lake perimeter, up and down. Generally well maintained, with elevated walkways over wet areas. With such a large group it was fun to float among friends and gab. I found a large walking stick off trail (hadn’t seen one of those in DECADES) and rushed to show the others despite its persistent attempts to escape my hands. By end of hike we finally arrived at lodge for best part of the day- cocktails on the back deck overlooking the lake near sunset- what a well-deserved rest and view! Steve reassured me that I was not to blame for longer-than-expected hike and we went back to camp and enjoyed a classic camp dinner- hot dogs and baked beans. PERFECT!

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September 18, 2019March 14, 2020

Akron, sections 1-2 (9/14/19)

Today our guest hikers were Gillian and Bob as Wendy was creating beautiful butterflies at the CMA chalk-fest this weekend! We had to re-hike the beginning of this trail from Ottowa Point that we had previously traveled in the dead of winter, and headed south (breaking one of Wendy’s rules), but it was well worth it because the day was beautiful and now we had leaves and flowers around us! Was a nice mix of up and down hills, dry woods and soggy mud, but really a nice stretch of the BT in CVNP. Highly recommend Ottowa point to Blue Hen Falls if you can make it. Ran across the trail-side dump at beginning of hike again (1941 concrete pier still there) and very few fellow hikers except at end near Jaite. Lots of good picture opportunities- a GREAT day for fungi! Seemed longer than I expected, but got no complaints from Gillian and Bob- only good conversation! Hope they can join us again!

YEAR	Days Hiked	Miles Hiked	Total MILES!	% Done
23	7	53.9	532.7	36.8
22	4	23.9	478.8	33.2
21	11	140.3	454.9	31.5
20	33	237.5	314.6	21.8
19	18	77.1	77.1	5.3