“Follow the Blue Blazes” [Filler #22]

[Travel day from Ohio back to home.]
The blue blazes mark the Buckeye Trail, http://www.buckeyetrail.org/trail.php » “For nearly 1,400+ miles, the Buckeye Trail winds around Ohio, reaching into every corner of the state. From a beachhead on Lake Erie near Cleveland, to an hilltop overlooking the Ohio River in Cincinnati, a hiker can experience a little of all that Ohio has to offer.

“First envisioned in the late 1950's as a trail from the Ohio River to Lake Erie, the Buckeye Trail evolved into a large loop, branching both north and east from Cincinnati. The separate legs rejoin in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Cleveland, and complete the trip to the lake. Because it is a loop, it is also in essence, endless. You may start a hike at any point and hike as long as you want without ever reaching an end!

“The trail is identified by blue blazes, 2" wide by 6" high, on trees or poles. A single blaze marks the trail where the route is fairly straight or obvious, while a double blaze marks a turn with the upper blaze offset to indicate the new direction. A double blaze with no offset simply means pay attention – the trail route may not be obvious.

“The trail is maintained and managed by the Buckeye Trail Association, a private, non-profit volunteer organization.”

This shot shows a turn: a right-turn from this vantage point and a left-turn from the right, of course!

With thanks to Clare's Uncle Tom for pointing this out to us on an earlier visit to Fremont this year.

1 year ago (“Every project deserves a new tool.”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2015-09-12
2 years ago (“So many names…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-09-12
3 years ago (“Tawny Emperor”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-09-12
4 years ago (“Let’s take it from the top”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-09-12
5 years ago (“We have our ways…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-09-12

[ IMG_2706S8x12Atm :: f/5.6 :: 1/125" :: ISO-200 :: 20mm ]

[Maggiemae]

You would have to have the manual in front of you to remember what was what with the blue blazes! Does it take bikes?

[Thom Mitchell]

@maggiemae The directions are pretty simple. Through cities & towns, bikes are probably a great idea! But there are other portions of the Trail that are not, shall we say, "bike friendly."