I thought the mound was much larger as well and was glad there was that tower to climb so you could even see what the mound really looked like! Very interesting.....

First time in a year?! Wow, PS!!! I'm definitely in my own slump of sorts with my new business and am feeling the withdrawl! I am trying my best to get lots squared away so by the time the heat wave ceases, I can at least get out then!

BTW--here is a random question. Have you been able to use your same hiking boots for all your miles on the BT so far?

I recently changed them after getting wet feet and worn down treads. I bought the same boot and have over 100 miles on them now. I really want to get some ultra light trail running shoes soon.

One thing for sure is that 'waterproof' boots never are. I used the closed end sandals up north last year and they worked good but flip rocks inside sometimes. Cheap Walmart brand.

Amen on waterproof--never really being that!

You reminded me of something. The best pair of hiking footwear I've ever had regardless of price--were hiking shoes! I had forgotten all about them. I know you are supposed to wear boots for ankle twisting protection but I think they actually make your ankles weak. Hmmm, I may start my hunt to find a new pair. Mine were also cheap ones from Meijer compared to my ridiculously expensive boots--which I hardly ever wear?!

A lot of hikers never wear boots but stay with running shoes. A pound on the foot equals 10 on the back.

Wow--that's an interesting fact! Very good to know--especially for women, I think..?? Thanks for sharing!

I read on the BTA board that two of those shot were Buckeye trail members. One was a person who developed the bta barn. I may have met them earlier this year.

I still can't get over this!!! What a waste and a tragic loss of life. =(

Heading out today for lockington over in Shelby county for a two day 30 mile hike on he BT.

Joining up with poppie who began a through hike from Milford last week.

I'm joining the south sections with the northern to complete from ft hill to Cleveland.

Best wishes to you, Rich.

Done at last with western Ohio. Walked a few more miles than was needed and continued into downtown St Marys. Getting close to the thousand mile point.

Do we have a 1,000 mile path tag Stacey? If he plants a box at the end of his treck, can he count the whole thing? How far will it be for the whole thing, including the eastern part?

1444 miles. I did stumble on a geocache.

For those that will be on the train ride. The trail crosses the tracks at brecksville station along the road and sidewalk and under the massive road bridge.

Thanks for the update and information. Sandy

Bruce 'poppie' began a thru hike mid August in Milford and is crossing the top of Ohio currently heading east. He will be starting in woodville today and will be near Medina by the weekend.

I finished the west side recently and will head down toward Pike lake this month. About 40 miles left to finish southern Ohio.

Finished the last 20 miles of the section this weekend by hiking from Pike lake through Nipgen to Prussia rd over hill and Dale.

This pushes me over the 1000 mile mark or about 2,000,000 steps with 444 miles left to go. Also finished with Ross county.

Meanwhile Poppie is up around Cleveland and Akron a month into his circuit hike.

I guess when were hunting boxes (The All Aboard Event) in Peninusla, OH (part of the Cuyahoga Valley State Park) we were close to the trail. Does the trail parallel the Scenic Train Line rails? We hunted boxes in the locks of the old Erie Canal. Seems you hiked through this region earlier in the year?

I have not completed the entire section up there but it crosses the tracks at the parking lot in one of the posted event photos with the big bridge in the background. The lot was empty then.

Message posted on a dinky phone with a dinkier keyboard.

You think your phone is dinky......you can not even text on mine. I just use it for calls and not a lot of them either.

My circuit hiking partner is in the Columbus Messenger.

http://www.columbusmessenger.com/92.html

Been awhile since I posted here but Poppie got somewhere above Cleveland and had a fall that took him off the trail. He required major surgery on his foot ruining his chance of completion for his 1444 mile thru hike.

I spent the last two days of December in a tent in an empty campground at Pike lake.

I was able to solo hike 16 of the 21 miles left to close to major completed sections. I'm now at 1019 miles completed.

The lady at the counter in the park office offered to drop me 12 miles down trail one morning which kept me from having to walk back to my truck.

I will be finishing up the final 4.7 miles with another hiker next week. She has a few miles more then me completed and has walked much of the trail twice.

Completed 71 miles last week from Canal Fulton south to Tappan lake. Also did a good bit of Massillon.

Hiked 15 rugged miles from Brecksville reservation to Peninsula on Saturday. Will attempt to link the final ten miles of the Akron section soon using the senic railroad to get back. This will complete an arc from AEP lands all the way around Ohio to Salt Fork encompassing 1,100 miles.

We intend to finish the 118 mile stupid loop in Whipple and Road Fork near Marietta mid April.

Spent 8 days hiking the loop between Belle valley and Marietta walking 125 miles through Washington, Noble and Monroe counties. 200 miles left to go.

I missed seeing you as you traversed through Washing County but wish you the best in your journey.

Ran into a Reverend from Barlow at a macksburg restaurant wearing a flourescent safety vest on a scooter. He did not know you but you may have seen him scooting around.

Walked through Hackney, Crooked tree, Macksburg, Warner, Whipple, Stanleyville on the 57 mile Whipple map.

Never been to that area before but very scenic with Wayne national forest camp sites around.

I finished the upper 9 miles of the Massillon section yesterday which ends at point one in Hartsville.

The Mogadore section begins there and I walked an additional 17 miles following the trail in a large s pattern past the Goodyear blimp hanger ending at point 17 at Mogadore reservoir campground. Total miles for the day was 26.8 leaving around 150 miles left to hike.

On the way back as I drove by this big restaurant I realized it was the site of an event many of us attended some years ago.

I completed all 1,444 + miles of the Buckeye trail two weeks ago. Crossing 40 countries through a few cities and towns taking 95 days to complete the trail.

Congratulations on quite an accomplishment!

Way to go, PS. Hope to see ya at SOHT and hear some good BT adventure stories.

Wow - that is awesome! I'm happy for you that you were able to accomplish this.