Section Hikes of 2016: Great Lakes Road Trip - Ohio

I needed to spend a few months in Baltimore to tend to my rental property there. I didn't do much hiking, other than an out and back trip on the Appalachian Trail, the northern part of Maryland from the I-70 foot bridge to Pen-Mar Park, not quite a 40-mile round trip, three days and two nights. It was late May, and the thru-hiker bubble was just coming through. It was fun to get to know a few of them and trade some stories, and just to relive that great summer of 2014, if only for a couple days.

Summer dragged along, and I followed blogs of adventurers I'd met over the past few years who were out doing more cool things. Maybe I should have gone out to California to give the Pacific Crest Trail a go. Perhaps next year.

Marathon, who I'd met on the Appalachian Trail and hiked with quite a lot in the Pacific Northwest in 2015, was now riding a bicycle from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine. Not any bike, but one that he had built himself at a workshop in Oregon. I had told Marathon that if he could get to Baltimore, I would drive him home to Cleveland. He arrived on a bus from Maine, stopping at a couple cities along the way to visit friends.

On September 7th, we were on our way to Ohio. For me, the trip would continue on to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, with no structured plan. My trip would be anywhere from one to four weeks. It would involve hiking, visiting with family and old friends, and attending sporting events.

For old times' sake, Marathon and I opted to pay a quick visit to our old friend, the Appalachian Trail, where she crosses through Maryland. We drove up to Washington Monument State Park, and then hiked a very short ways up to the monument for a few minutes.

That's me at the original Washington Monument
(photo by Marathon)

That's Marathon, back on the A.T. (kind of).

I spent a couple nights in Cleveland, and even went to the Indians vs. Astros baseball game with a childhood friend I hadn't seen in over 30 years. Then it was off to visit some family in the Columbus area. On the way, I stopped to hike for a couple hours in Mohican State Forest. I parked near the dam and had time for a three-mile hike out on the Lyons Falls Trail and back on the Clear Fork Gorge Trail. That evening, I arrived at my brother's house and got to spend some quality family time. My nephew and his wife popped in, and I finally got to meet their twins!

Hanging with my old pal at the Indians game.
Thanks, Mike!

good trail maintenance and a new foot bridge
at Mohican

not even a trickle at the falls

 

impressive boardwalks

 

a sweet covered bridge

and head on up the dam

 

Pizza night with the twins!

Thanks to my big brother and sister-in-law!

Then it was off to the Toledo area. I went to my friend's tailgate party at Bowling Green State University, then visited with my uncle and aunt nearby. Bonus: all three of their kids (my cousins) stopped by for a visit, with several of their offspring!

Thanks to my Aunt and Uncle!

I made a side trip to Detroit because the Orioles were playing the Tigers there in a Sunday afternoon game... Go O's!!! That night, I camped at the Oak Openings Preserve west of Toledo ($20 fee paid online) and then did a day hike, a 15 mile loop all around the park on the Scout Trail.

9/11 ceremonies at Comerica Park in Detroit

Chris Tillman warming up for the Orioles

Oak Openings... can remember coming here once or twice as a kid

pretty wildflowers

nifty handy work

It's the Scout Trail. Get it?

A taste of the 4000 mile NCT
(more of this next week, in Michigan!)

Am I not a fun guy?

Serenity,

 

 and reflections.

I spent a second night with my uncle and aunt on their farm, enjoyed an amazing country breakfast, and planned the next leg of my road trip... Michigan!

Since I'm traveling on a budget, here's a breakdown of the lodging expenses for the first week:

Hosted by family/friends: five nights
Camping at fee sites: one night ($20)

Other expenses: two major league baseball games with parking

Sheltowee Trace: Cumberland Falls Area

"Oh, no!"

After opting out of the Florida Trail thru-hike, or any other long distance trails, I ached to get back on a trail, somewhere, anywhere. So 2016 became a year of somewhat smaller adventures, section hikes.

While visiting with the family in Kentucky, springtime arrived early. I set out on March 22nd to pick up where I'd left off on the Sheltowee Trace in Southern Kentucky. I'd hiked about a quarter of the 320 mile trek the previous spring before bailing out due to heavy rains and swollen stream crossings.

As fate would have it, I would only be spending five days and four nights on the ST this time around. A minor disaster struck on day four at a stream crossing. I slipped and fell backwards on a sloped, mossy rock. After I collected myself, I realized that my left middle finger was grossly dislocated. Later, I would discover that the ring and pinky fingers were also damaged. Weird thing, I've fallen backwards like that dozens of times in my hiking life, the backpack always bracing the fall with no issues. But this time was different. Either my trekking pole got hung up in my fingers or I just slammed them into the rock, a natural response.

Fortunate to have family in Central Kentucky, I got to a place with a phone signal and arranged a pick up the next day, bailing out after on 35 miles this time around. The ER doctor got me put back together, and she also dug out two ticks that has decided to call the crease of my buttock home.

Damn you, Sheltowee Trace! I'll conquer you one day!

Back where I left off, U.S. 27 near Whitley City, Kentucky

Camped in a nice cave

Strange things along the Cumberland River flood plane

More strange stuff, and just a bit creepy

Camped along the river

Feels good to be back on the trail!

Too cloudy to catch the moonbow, and t-storms in the area

First time ever at Cumberland Falls!

Camped on the beach, sheltered by a hanging rock

Slippery bridge

Met a photographer at Dog Slaugher Falls

I don't think it's supposed to look like that!

Definitely not.

Hiker issues, down but not out!

Another 30 something miles completed, about 200 to go.
Next year, perhaps.

When Being Rich Means Having Less

I dropped out of the rat race nearly five years ago at an age most would say is too young to be retired. People talk a lot about being wealthy, and for most, that means accumulating material things. For me, being rich means accumulating amazing experiences and making unforgettable memories. It means meeting new people from different places, being exposed to new cultures, and being able to understand perspectives and values that might differ from my own. It's so liberating once we come to terms that we really don't need much, declutter our lives, and truly become FREE!

Here's a video of a few of us hikers just sharing stories about our adventure on the Pacific Northwest Trail. Alex "Money Shot" Maier compiled this beautiful footage and these interviews clips, an encore to his critically acclaimed documentary, "A Sense of Direction - A 1200 mile Walk on the Pacific Northwest Trail."

Documentary of our 2015 PNT Thru-Hike

"Hike your own hike."

Congrats to my friend and hiking partner, Alex "Money Shot" Maier, on the completion of his documentary, "A Sense Of Direstion - A 1200 Mile Walk On The Pacific Northwest Trail." It is awesome! Check it out:

A backpacking podcast featured the film on a recent episode. Check out the interview here: n2backpacking episode 34 - Interview with "Money Shot"

Dry Tortugas, Everglades, PNT Journal, Glacier NP Video

"WTF!"

The winter months offer an opportunity to reflect and recover. After returning to the east coast in October, I rented out my house and traveled (by car this time) to spend time with family in Florida and Kentucky.

While in Florida, I came close to jumping on the Florida Trail for a couple months. I bought the trail guide, had my backpack ready, and even went to the Keys and the Everglades. An inflamed achilles tendon, the result of 3,500 miles of backpacking in a year and a half, was the only thing to hold me back. It's time to take care of the feet and not walk through swamps!

Took the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park, 

checked out Fort Jefferson there,

learned about the fort's history,

camped by the beach,

and walked the shoreline.

Then I spent some time in Key West,

checked out the Everglades,

and camped at Big Cypress near the trail head for Florida Trail.

So what's next? Not sure. Much will depend on the status of the feet.

Cheers, and Happy Wintertime!

Fitty Shrimp

Pacific Northwest Trail - Favorite Photos

My three-month trek along the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail was completed on September 29, 2015. It was truly an incredible experience!

There are many stories to share from this adventure, and I intend to do so here during the next few months. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite photos from the trip. Enjoy the scenery!

Beautiful wildflowers in peak bloom throughout Glacier National Park in Montana

Evening sky in Idaho

Lunch break at Lake Janet in Glacier National Park

Amazing late afternoon views of the Kettle Range from the Kettle Crest National Scenic Trail in Eastern Washington

Bubbling clouds in the valley, an eerie and surreal sunset in Olympic National Park

Approaching the majestic Olympic Mountains

Organic farming near Northport, Washington

A herd of mountain goats joined me for breakfast near Amphitheater Mountain in the North Cascade's Pasayten Wilderness

A side trip along the Chain Links Trail rewarded us with spectacular views of colorful wildflowers and Mt. Baker towering in the distance

The mountains surrounding the Okanogan Valley in Central Washington, the "high desert" - barren ridges, triple-digit temperatures, and the strong aroma of sage in the dusty air

Purple mountain majesty - Looking east toward Idaho's Selkirk range

Camping next to Upper Cathedral Lake in the Pasayten Wilderness in the pre-sunset glow

Hiking among the giant red cedar trees in North Cascades National Park

Pacific Northwest - Prehike Jitters, etc.

"Uh, maps and a compass? Really?"

Just a few days before the train leaves the station, and in a week, I'll be hiking through the Rockies. Seriously going to do this!

Hope to camp the first night here - Stony Indian Lake
in Glacier National Park

A few pieces of gear, worn out by 205 days of Appalachian Trail, had to be replaced, but the main items are still hanging tough, the backpack, tent, sleeping bag and pad. I've added an inflatable camp pillow, a luxury item for sure, but the increase in comfort exceeds the cost, both in dollars and in grams.

The 1,200 mile Pacific Northwest Trail is not really a trail at all, but more like an idea. There are a few resources that have been pieced together by the handful of people who've hiked the PNT, and I've printed a bunch of maps, probably 150 pages, to lug along. I've divided the maps into ten sections, Section One entailing 147 miles through the Rockies to Section Ten, 63 miles along the Pacific beach. The maps illustrate lots of different options and alternative routes, just to make things super confusing. For my mates and me, there will be decisions to be made daily, with our chosen routes based on things like weather, snow pack, forest fires, resupply needs and mental/physical health. Unlike the Appalachian Trail, where we simply followed white trail blazes for 2,200 miles, the PNT is mostly unmarked. In some areas, there is not a real trail at all, and miles of bushwacking will hopefully land us in a desirable spot. I picked up a base compass and had to do some research to figure out how to navigate old school style, with compass and maps.

The start of the adventure, Chief Mountain
Customs Office at the Canada/U.S. border

With over 18 hours of daylight, we'll have an opportunity to hike big miles early on, as the days grow gradually shorter. But a freakish record-breaking heat wave in the Inland Northwest, 25F degrees above average, along with expected aches and pains, will likely limit us to a great extent, at least for the first couple of weeks.

Seriously? The average high is 78F and low is 49F.
Maybe hike in the morning/evening and nap/swim at mid-day.

I worry about about grizzly bears and mountain lions, about a missed step at an inopportune time, and the physical demands that will most certainly take a toll. But I heard something on a podcast at The Trail Show recently that sums things up pretty well. "When you set out to do something you're sure you can easily accomplish, then it's not really an adventure." No word of a lie!

Happy Trails!
Fitty Shrimp