While Hiking on the Buckeye Trail...



New Historical Marker, Ritter Park, Napoleon

Civil War Camp Latty
was all around Me! 

On Saturday, October 8, 2011, while hiking along the Buckeye Trail / North Country Trail through Henry County Ohio, I came upon the leg of trail that goes through the city of Napoleon along the Maumee River. Here along the River, the trail goes through Ritter Park and the boat docks area. As I hiked through there on that crystal clear autumn afternoon, the sun was bright, the sky was blue without a cloud in it, and the temperature was unseasonable but pleasantly warm- near 80 degrees!

As I hiked west past the boat docks, I continued into Ritter Park, where an amazing event was taking place. Just being unveiled and dedicated, was a brand new Historical Marker which now and hereafter will note the location and significance of "Camp Latty". This camp was a famous Civil War camp which was used to muster the 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry during this tragic war. The new marker tells the amazing story, which plants a curiosity in viewers to want to learn more of this famous place. This marker and great event was sponsored by the Henry County Historical Society.

Civil War Era Encampment

As I continued my hike, I came upon a number of historical reenactors, who were dressed in civil war era clothing. There were men who dressed in soldiers' attire, and women and children who tended to the homes while the soldiers were away at war. They occupied various tent structures which were authentic replications of those actually used. In addition, there were various demonstrations and exhibits of various aspects of what life was like during the civil war era. Complete with many accoutraments of the time, the exhibit was facinating, informative, and entertaining.

Civil War Medical Equipment Display

It seemed as though I was a time traveler and had hiked backwards in time to a life very different that what I am used to now. I decided to end my hike for the day here in Ritter Park. As I spent some time here with the re-enactors, I enjoyed the experience and wondered about what it was like at Camp Latty. 2011 marks the first year for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. There are many events happening around Ohio for the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. I will visit the Ohio Civil War 150 web-site to discover more Civil War events around Ohio. Until Then... see you on the trail!  Also to learn more about other Ohio Civil War Events for the sesquicentennial, Click Here! ....Photos supplied by Bob Morrison and Bill Morey.

August on the Auglaize River

Carving the glass...

The Auglaize River in Defiance and Paulding Counties is "as smooth as glass" for skiing enthusiasts.

Last Days of Summer

Boating activity on the Auglaize River, Paulding County.

The Sandbar

Weekend Boaters gather each week on the Auglaize River in Paulding County, just across the Defiance County line. Put your boat in the water at Five Mile boat launch and head south on the river. Can't miss it!

Buckeye Trail Work Party Builds More Trail

North Country Trail

Work Continues

From June 18 through June 22, 2011, volunteers from The Buckeye Trail Association, and local volunteers held a "Work Party" on the Trail. The objective was to clear the last segment of Trail in the Eastern side of Henry County. And after all the dust had settled, the last mile of the trail in Henry County was finally cleared ! Thanks to the 10 Buckeye Trail Volunteers, and the 12 local volunteers who worked their magic on the trail and cut through all the dense underbrush to finally complete the final section of trail to open in Henry County. As a result of this effort, the Buckeye Trail, and The North Country Trail is now cleared all through  Henry County from West To East! The Trail now Connects Independence Dam in the West to Providence Dam in the East! Approximately 20 plus miles of trail now open! The Work Party went well, and according to Joe Krueger, Henry County Park District Commissioner, several ladies from St Patrick's Catholic Church in Providence cooked breakfast for them each morning except Sunday.  Breakfast was so good, they stayed Tuesday night to have breakfast before leaving Wednesday morning. Kind thanks to all the Trail Volunteers, and also the ladies from St. Patrick's! Click on the photos to the right to view slide show. Photos supplied by Bob Morrison. Thanks again to all!

National Trails Day Event

Local groups hosted
National Trails Day
Trail Awareness Event

The Henry County Park District, The Buckeye Trail Association, and The Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor hosted an American Hiking Society's National Trails Day - Trail Awareness Event. The event was held on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at the Wayne Park Shelter House in Napoleon, Ohio. Volunteers from all the groups were on hand to answer questions, provide information, and to act as trail guides to the hikers who attended the event. Special Thanks to The Henry County Transportation Network, who shuttled small groups of hikers out to the trail so they could hike back to the shelter house. Some took a brief 1 mile hike, while others took a longer 5 mile hike. Also a special thanks to the Local Boy Scouts who were on hand preparing and selling lunch treats to all ! Thanks to all who supported National Trails Day in Henry County, Ohio! (Photos Provided by Jim Rebar- Thanks, Jim!)

Spring Has Sprung!!

As the days begin to get a little longer, and the frigid winter air finally begins to wane, its hard not to notice the bright and cheerful Daffodils. Their jubilance and bright yellow colors dance upon the spring breezes that frequent the Northwest Ohio River Region. The emergence of these triumphant and colorful beauties makes a bold statement that despite the lingering chill in the air, Spring is finally here!!! While walking along West Riverview Avenue in Napoleon, I couldn't help but notice all the Delights of the Daffodils in many yards of the quaint houses along the avenue. So many places I looked, I noticed these bright and bold beauties. They are a sign of the parade of colors yet to come, as spring begins to unfold after a long cold and dark winter!! I also walked along Clinton and Webster Streets in Napoleon, by the Henry County Historical Society's beautifully restored Doctor John Bloomfield Home. The entire length of the sidewalk was lined with these darling daffodils. Its worth the trip just to enjoy all the beautiful color.

Winter Hiking Odyssey

Today I venture out walking after the heavy snows from last week. As cabin fever sets in, I love to get outdoors to chase it away! The snow is abundant from two major storms last week… one was expected, and one surprised us all – even the weather forecasters. I am bundled up in winter attire and walking down onto the Miami & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Western Henry County, just east of the Village of Florida. The trail is part of the US National Park Service’s “North Country Trail”. Arriving on the trail I am completely intrigued. As often as I frequent the trail in other seasons, I am seldom here in Winter. The setting takes on a completely new and refreshing ambiance. The giant trees and dense underbrush-once teeming with growth and leaves now stand naked yet draped with snow in their silent slumber. On one side of me is the Maumee River- frozen solid with ice nearly two feet thick, on the other side is the Miami & Erie Canal. The sky overhead looms with grey and is heavily overcast. The air is still and weighs heavy with dampness. From indoors it may seem dreary, but outdoors on the trail, the grayness takes on a magical and mystical quality. I am standing in snow up to my knees. I am the first to walk on this trail through all this snow, as I trudge through the knee deep virgin powder. It’s refreshing how quiet and serine it is here. There is nearly complete silence. All the snow on the ground and the trees acts like a giant sponge, absorbing and muffling all the sounds. Occasionally I hear a dog bark in the distance, but that too is muted and silenced by the abundant snow. It is difficult as I continue walking through the deep powder. I must lift my feet very high with each step to overcome the depth of the snow. As I stop to catch my breath and snap some photos, I begin to feel the cold settle in. Winter’s Chill is invigorating, yet I must respect this force of Nature. I must keep moving to generate warmth for my body so it does not succumb to the forces of the ambient cold. If I were to stay down on the trail for any length of time, I would scout a place out of the wind to start a fire for warmth. Knowing I will return home shortly, I dismiss that notion and keep moving. As I strain sinking in this knee-deep powder, I can immediately see how snow-shoeing here would enable me to walk farther. The oversized shoes would prevent me from sinking into the snow, Next time I will bring snow shoes, but as I return to my world off the trail, I am re-invigorated, and my cabin fever is no more.