Winter 2013

Winter 2013 Edition: A Series of Remarkable Experiences and Hiking Life Lessons by Blue Blaze Bugsie

Use http://blueblazebugsie.blogspot.com/2011/08/blue-blaze-bugsie.html to jump all the way to "the beginning" to read the journal entry's in order, then select "newer post" at the bottom of each journal entry to continue reading forward.

(Clicking directly on the photos will take you to an enlarged film strip to see more details)

 

Today’s walk was loaded with nature observations, the color changes and the new, to me, fall jewels hanging from the bushes and trees in the area.  I took my bike out to the end of the hike, which was at The Gates Mills Horticultural Center on County Line Road.

The Gates Mills Horticultural Center on County Line Road.

A real challenge for me hiking the BT is finding suitable places to park/hide my bike or car.  It doesn’t always work out perfectly for both on or near the trail and I have found myself walking anywhere from a couple hundred feet up to a mile to achieve this.  Once I do locate a good spot I then play the game of, “gee, where will the BT pop out here?”  While getting permission from GMHC to park my bike on the property I asked them the same question.  In a couple of cases no one has even heard of the BT, but today they knew of the trail but did not think it came on the property.  I told them I’d let them know on my way back.  After locking the bike to a tree I drove off to the historic village of Gates Mills. 

 

Honoring a promise to myself to spend a few minutes around the historic town, I start my little tour at the Village Arboretum, identified by its custom-made black shield-like marker.  It appeared, to my untrained eye, that nothing was going on in there, though I understand now its purpose is to showcase native plants and trees and that everything had passed out of season.  During my walk through the arboretum it began to rain.  Donning my sturdy rain poncho, I hang out a few minutes more then wander out into the town and take photos of the historic buildings and details of the old foot-bridge which I found fascinating.

Arboretum at Gates Mills

Chagrin River

Old Livery Tavern at Gates Mills

Interesting details on old Railroad bridge, Gates Mills
 

Satisfying my curiosity I made my way up Chagrin River Road where I entertain myself photographing plants I had never seen before.  As the little delicate tear drop shaped leaves blew in the breeze on this one bush, they glistened from the rain drops on them and the word “Jewels” popped into my head.  Another bush had these huge dimpled red berries on them and then the starburst shaped ones were fascinating as well.  These were marvelous Fall Jewels!

 

 

 

Fun patterns on a telephone pole

One of the interesting homes on Rogers Road

Beautiful fall jewels

Berries on a dogwood tree

Seed pods

Old deep grooves of a Black Locust tree

 

 

A short walk up Wilson Mills Road takes me into the North Chagrin Reservation where the Buckeye Trail takes the long way around which, in addition to steep-climbing paths, gave me plenty of opportunity to enjoy the quietness of the reservation and its various trails.

 

 

Queen Anne's Lace

 

After leaving NCR, the rest of the hike was all roads with more long steep climbs.  During the last mile or so the rain stopped and I happily stuck my poncho into my pack knowing I wouldn’t have to wear it for the bike ride back.  Following the blazes up the road I finally get to see that the folks at the GMHC were correct and as the BT took a sharp left turn up Brooklane Road and on into Geauga County, I had a quarter mile hike left to go up County Line road to get to my bike.  At least I know where the car’s going next hike! 

 

More of Falls splendor of colors

A nice thing to remember as you set out on a hike, Lesson #21: What goes up, must come down, (it’s the law!)  I have learned that steep climbs on the way out usually means downhill runs on the way back.  If you get a chance to check out the terrain prior to car or bike placement, it could mean the difference between a long haul back when you’re already tired or a thrilling ride! 

 

Today was another exhilarating race back down through the valley.  Clocking myself coasting at 35 mph brought me flying back into Gates Mills in 37 minutes.  What a way to end yet another great adventure on the Buckeye Trail!

Tree farms along the way back to Gates Mills

The End

Blue Blaze Bugsie

Use the links at the right side to follow my journey backwards or use http://blueblazebugsie.blogspot.com/2011/08/blue-blaze-bugsie.html to jump all the way to the beginning to read it in order.  Select "newer post" at the bottom of each journal entry to continue reading forward.