What In Blue Blazes-Following The Buckeye Trail-Pt.II

The next morning(Saturday)we woke up comforted that it was probably only 36 degrees,and no lower.We got up bright and early-just before six.

Though still dark,we went around our business of making breakfast(rice with dehydrated fruit),and breaking camp.We were following a practice called:'No Trace' camping.No one would ever know we had ever been there.

It seems I am very good with routine.Once again,I got the bad luck out of the way early. Last night,before bed,I changed pants and put on new dry socks.I then stuffed my old pants in my clothes stuff sack and used it as a pillow.

It seems,while sleeping,I must have slept on my camera.The viewer was cracked and broken beyond repair.Oppsy...guess I was going to have to use it like an old fashion camera-through the view finder-and hope for the best.


We headed on our merry way knowing we had a very do-able distance to do today.It was still darkish when we headed through the lovely town of St.Mary's.We found water at the very same baseball park
that Adam hit his amazing triple earlier this year.

Next came a short walk through the amazing town of St.Marys.In a park in the very center of town,they have a canal boat replica.They have a covered bridge- a very nice and historical way to honor the town's past.

But,just north of town,the Buckeye Trail took it's most amazing St.Marys turn.Right along an old industrial complex(old factories-old,no longer used railroad bridges),the path became a virtual cornucopia of blazing color!It has been a very long time since I have seen such vivid autumn colors.The beauty of the trees going back forever into a seemingly endless woods!The front trees echoing their color in the smooth surface of the Miami-Erie canal...just breathtaking.

The only sad part of this feast was towards it's end.The woods-divided by Interstate route 33-ended with no depth what so ever.The vast amount of foliage was erased by man.Just behind the last layer of trees was flatness.It looked like they were constructing a giant size Wal-Mart type super store.I had never mourned advancement so deeply.

There was only one way to cross Rt.33.Under it.The BLUE blaze clearly shows the path meant to take.This was a fun,unexpected detour from the ordinary...talk about your fun:-)

We were soon back on track again,

making very good time....but not too good...we made sure we went slow enough to enjoy the scenery.

Out in the middle of nowhere we ran across this other lock.This one was brand spanking new...though it would never be used for boats.

Next,we ran across,

'Bloody Bridge'.

The story on the sign says it all.Murder,mayhem,ghoulish mystery.

BOO!

This is the '6 mile Creek Aqueduct' Tyler,

Nikolas and I were originally going to make camp somewhere between here and the Bloody Bridge.But the weather was perfect,and we had on our walking shoes.We made it here way too early to camp.This is the point I called Robyn,and told her and Adam to come get us.

Just a few more miles to go...

...beautiful sights to be seen the whole way.

Finally,we made it to our stopping point.....The Methodist church in Kossuth.

Robyn,Adam and Millie got to us soon after.They took us to our car-a mere 23 miles away-and then we headed to Sidney for a much deserved celebration (Adam's JV team won,ending a 7-2 season)of chicken wings and drinks.Yes!One great trip.Nik & Ty were champions...good job,guys...It was fun!!!