Saved by the Clouds, and Ester

 
The rain mostly ended during the night. I was afraid that meant we were in for a hot day today. But the cloud cover stuck around.



I only walked the last 2.5 miles in hot sun. I have to say that for taking my chances on a hike in Ohio in August, I really had it good. I'll take rain over heat any day. I was afraid it might be so hot I'd have to give up on my mileage goal, but all went well.

Also, my one physical concern was due to the fact that the last time I walked this many miles on almost nothing but pavement, I came home with a stress fracture. This time, the legs were fine. Well, OK, sore feet and some aching calves toward the end of each day, but nothing out of line.

Ester met me for lunch with a real treat- COLD SALAD. Yummers. Added a few carbs and I was good to go for the last 5.5 miles.

Lots more corn and soybeans. How about some grass in the sun?



I thought the most interesting parts of the day might be the utility company installing poles, or the paving machine doing a road width in one pass. However, just one mile before the end, I got a real treat.

Jim Gilkey, who organizes hikes for the Buckeye Trail Association, had heard from the utility guys that there was a lady hiking the trail. I had stopped to talk with them for a few minutes. So he tracked me down. He found me when I had less than a mile to go for the entire day!

He had helped me spot myself on a hike in southern Ohio many years ago. Very cool.

Ester was already at the end point and she saw a truck stop and came to check and make sure I wasn't being harassed. Instead we all had a good talk and took lots of pictures.



I got on the trail at 8:12 in the morning, and finished the hike at 2:40, even with the visiting. 15.1 miles today, 62.6 miles total for the four days. Not too shabby for an old gal.

Ester and I showered (thank goodness, I was REALLY stinky) and headed home by way of the interesting diner from the first day. We had ice cream and ordered big salads to go. Then we stopped at a park to eat them so Jade (the dog) wouldn't be left in the car. Pardon the selfie, but we were just so happy, we don't care how goofy it looks.



Then we did one of our favorite things- just worked our way to her house on back roads looking at interesting houses and historical monuments.

I have to leave here early (for me) in the morning to be back home in time to work. Play time over for this trip, but SO good.

	See Saved by the Breeze, and Ester
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Saved by the Breeze, and Ester

 
The day could best be described as sultry. It wasn't excessively hot, but it sure was humid. Like breathing water. And then it started raining again. The only thing that really saved it was a breeze, sometimes stiff. Moving air was good!

I finally passed a field of something besides corn and soybeans. Can you tell what it is? Cabbages!



Also, there was this really interesting octagonal house, built in 1848. Ohio comes up with some interesting architectural surprises.



Ester met me for lunch. Actually she scooped me off the road just before the worst of the rain. That kept me from getting completely soaked. After lunch, I stripped the pack down to the essentials- water, map, TP and a snack, and walked on to finish the day in lighter rain. 15.7 miles again.

The best event of the evening was this cricket. I haven't seen too many light colored ones. Not sure if it's some kind of camel cricket. But look at the antennae!



The rain MAY be done, so I am getting out early to hopefully be done before it gets too hot!

	See North Coast Inland Trail
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North Coast Inland Trail

 
The day was defined by a rail-trail, the North Coast Inland Trail. I walked it for all but the last three miles. Thus, I saw a lot of this



The best thing to do when the trail is boring is to look for interesting details. This old road grader is way cool.



The farmer might not, but I liked these morning glories growing all through the corn.



And my faithful support crew (who claim to be quite content waiting on me), of Ester and Jade.



It rained from 11am on, and before the final three miles Ester came and took my pack and electronics (which were plastic bagged, but just dead weight at that point), and I went on to make 15.7 miles for the day. Total of 32 miles so far. Halfway for this trip!

	See Portage River
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Portage River

&nbps;
Ester dropped me off at 9am at a road corner in the middle of nowhere, where I ended the hike where I slept beside a grain dryer, got cold, and tested my then new tiny tent. Link at end.



The day was defined by the Portage River, which I followed almost the entire way, crossing it several times.




Saw some interesting plants. Nothing new yet, but this is interesting. It's native bamboo. I've seen it in southern Ohio, but this seemed pretty far north.




It was really hot, and had to find out information about a detour (which thankfully, did not add to the day's mileage, so I stopped at this cool diner (literally cool) to get directions and ice cream. That was really helpful mid-afternoon of a long hot day.




I joined the North Coast Inland Rail Trail about 3pm, and soon spotted Ester waiting for me. 16.3 miles. No serious pains yet. Today is looking rainy. That's ok, I can do that better than hot!

	See Cold
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It's Ohio Again

 
Yup, Ester and me in her brand new (huge)tent. We took it out of the box and set it up in the rain new tent.



We're in the car now and she is going to drop me off for a day of walking on the Buckeye Trail (mostly road walk). Catch you later!

But at least I got a post up!

	See Now Where
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