Outdoor Adventure Connection

 Andy "Captain Blue" Niekamp has started a backpacking guiding service!

Check out Outdoor Adventure Connection at:

http://www.outdooradventureconnection.com/

iN75 Magazine Article

Here is a link to a story about my Buckeye Trail hike which appeared in the iN75 magazine on June 22.

http://www.niekamp.org/in75_buckeyetrail_20110622.pdf

Dayton Daily News Article

Here is a link to an article which will appear in the June 19 edition of the Dayton Daily News in the Life section.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/lifestyle/kettering-man-discovers-a-new-side-of-ohio-on-1-444-mile-hike-1188099.html

June 15 - Dayton - Hike Complete

Today I hiked the remaining nine miles of the Buckeye Trail into Dayton to Deeds Point. It was a wonderful day!

The final leg of my journey began on the bike path in Fairborn at Colonel Glenn Highway and Kaffman Road. This is where the Troy Section of the Buckeye Trail starts. Maria made the journey from Cleveland to Dayton to hike on the last day with me.

The day was overcast and rain was in the forecast. This is only appropriate since I had hiked so many miles in the rain on this Buckeye Trail hike. To me rain was just liquid sunshine.

From the bike path on Kauffman Road the trail goes up to Wright Brothers Memorial near Wright Patterson Air Force Base. We toured the Huffman Praire Flying Field Interpretive Center there. The exhibits in this center are geared towards the activites and accomplishments of the Wright Brothers after they made their first flight. From the overlook at the Wright Brothers Memorial you can see part of Huffman field. It was here at Huffman Field where the Wright Brothers flew their improved airplanes.

The first flight was in 1903 at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina. This flight lasted 12 seconds and there was no steering of the airplane. The Wright Bothers came back to Dayton, created the Wright Flyer III, and flew it at Huffman Field in 1905. This flight lasted 39.5 minutes, covered 24 miles and included steering to make turns. This flight lasted longer than all other flights combined. The Wright Flyer III is considered world's first practical aircraft. It was invented and flown here in Dayton. (What good is an airplane you can't steer?)

It started raining at the Wright Brothers Memorial. It would rain for the next hour. We had trouble following the Buckeye Trail as it left the memorial. We followed the blue blazes into the woods and they dissappeared. We had to forge our own route which included the bike path, running across SR-444, walking along active railroad tracks and climbing down the railroad tressle at Springfield Street. We found the blue blazes again and headed towards Eastwood MetroPark.

To get to Eastwood MetroPark from Springfield Street the Buckeye Trail goes a short distance on water well fields owned by the City of Dayton. As we crossed this property we were approached by two City of Dayton Water Department employees in a truck. The driver manuvered his truck in a way to block our path. He told us that we were not allowed on the property and we must leave. I explained to him that the Buckeye Trail goes through here. This  did not matter to him. He ordered us to leave. I offered to show him the Buckeye trail map and offered to give him my card. He refused both. I explained I was finishing the last four miles of a 1,444 mile journey. This did not mater to him.

I asked if he would call his supervisor. The other fellow in the truck did. We heard a bit of the conversation. The fellow told his supervisor that two people were hiking in the Buckeye Trail then we heard him say "yep (pause) yep (pause) yep (pause) and then ok." The supervisor confirmed that the Buckeye Trail goes through this area and we were allowed to proceed. I found it ironic that after hiking 1,440 miles on the Buckeye Trail no one had attempted to block my path or throw me off the trail until I got to my hometown! But, in all sinceerity, I am so glad that the City of Dayton does their best to protect our precious water source. So I give these fellows credit for doing their job.

At Eastwood MetroPark I met with Chris Rizer, a reporter for the Dayton Daily News, for about an hour. Chris asked all kinds of interesting questions about my hike including my favorite towns along the way. The article Chris is writing will appear in the Sunday (June 19) edition of the Dayton Daily News in the Life section. Look for it!

Around 2:30pm members of the Dayton Hikers group starting arriving. I put out an open invitation and invited anyone to hike the last three miles of journey with me from Eastwood MetroPark to Deed's Point. About 15 people showed up. It was a great turnout! A videographer from the local FOX45/ABC22 TV station in town was there too. I gave him a short interview. (You can watch the video here.)

We walked the last three miles of the Buckeye Trail along the Mad River bike path to downtown Dayton. Mother Nature was kind to us and it did not rain. As we approached Deeds Point the fountains along the river were shooting water into the sky. I saw the Dayton skyline and Deeds Point for the first time in three months. The water shooting into the air was quite a site and made for a wonderful homecoming! A crowd of about 20 people had assembled at Deeds Point to help me celebrate the finish of my hike. They were waving flags and cheering me on.

The final stretch of the trail to Deeds Point goes on a foot bridge over the Mad River to Deeds Point. While on the bridge I got a blast of energy and decided to jump into the air and kick my heels in jubilation. Lisa Powell, a photographer for the Dayton Daily News, was there and caught this moment on camera. (See the photos here.) It felt so good to finish this hike and be back home in Dayton!

I gave "high fives" and hugs to the crowd waiting for me at Deeds Point. They continued cheering, chanting and waving flags. To close the loop on this circuit hike I needed to take ten more steps to the statues of Wilbur and Orville Wright on Deeds Point. I gave a big hug to the statues of the two brothers. I yelled "Off Trail!" The hike was officially over.

Afterwards we went to the Outdoor Recreation office of the Five Rivers MetroParks on Saint Clair Street in downtown Dayton. Brent Anslinger and Mike Fanelli had cake, ice cream and soda pop there for everyone. A slide show of my Buckeye Trail photos was showing on a large screen. There I got a chance to greet everyone and chat with them. A few short speeches and a couple of announcements were made. The crowd sung a belated "Happy Birthday" song to me at at my mother's request. There was a short question and answer period where I talked about my hike.

By about 5:30pm the festivites were over. It was time to return to normal life whatever that may be.

Fox 45 - WRGT TV News Clip

A videographer from FOX45/ABC22 filming our hike.

Here is a link to a short news story about my Buckeye Trail hike on Fox45 WRGT TV in Dayton:

http://fox.daytonsnewssource.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wkef_vid_1460.shtml

Dayton Daily News Photos

Here is a link to some photos the Dayton Daily News photographer took of the finish of my Buckeye Trail thru hike today:

http://projects.daytondailynews.com/cache/galleries/Living/General%20Living/061511buckeyetrail/#.TflnazTFUIQ;email

June 14 - Fairborn - 9 Miles To Dayton

Farm on Rebert Road between Springfield and Fairborn.

Today I hiked 16 miles from Springfield to Fairborn. I am now a mere nine miles from finishing this hike!

The hike today was all on roads except for a very short stretch of trail in Cold Springs Park in Fairborn. I hiked fast today.I felt like "a horse heading for the barn" as I am close to Dayton.

My camera started having problems today. I can't take photos. When I turn it on it says "Card Error - Clean The Card Or Format Card". This is a bummer. I am glad my camera waited until the end of my hike to have problems. Hopefully I can salvage my photos from it.

I am anxiously ready for my last day of hiking. I am ready to be at Deeds Point and see Wilbur and Orville. This is where I started my hike on March 20.

If you are in Dayton tomorrow please feel free to come out and celebrate the finish with me. I will be at Deeds Point around 4:00pm rain or shine. If you can't be there put an ear to towards Dayton around then and listen for a big yell of "Off Trail".

Press Release - DaytonMostMetro.com

Link: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/active-living/hiking-backpacking/homecoming-for-captain-blue.html

June 13 - Springfield - 25 Miles To Dayton

Courthouse in Xenia.

Today I hiked 25 miles to Springfield. I crossed the 1,400 mile mark on this journey! The weather was perfect for hiking. It was sunny, about 75 degrees and a bit breezy.

The route today was mostly on the Little Miami River bike path except for some road walking in Springfield. The trail goes through the towns of Xenia, Yellow Springs and Springfield.

I stopped in Xenia for a break. I got a cup of coffee and three Krispy Kreme donuts. It was not a healthy snack but it sure tasted good.

Twice today two bicycle riders stopped and asked me if I was practicing for a hike. They saw me with my backpack and trekking poles hiking down the bike path. They assumed I was preparing for an upcoming hike. I said "No, I am out hiking". They both were a bit surprised to learn I was hiking on the Buckeye Trail. One guy said "I have heard of the Buckeye Trail but I have never heard of anyone hiking it."

I stopped for a late lunch in Yellow Springs. I have been to Yellow Springs many times before so I didn't spend time exploring it. I recommend that hikers stop here and see the town. It is such a neat town. The Chamber of Commerce describes the town like this ... "The community is culturally diverse, values self-expression and prides itself on being open, friendly and creative." They are putting it mildly.

From Yellow Springs the trail heads north to Springfield and then turns south to Fairborn. Once upon a time the Buckeye Trail went from Yellow Springs directly to Fairborn. This new route adds about 20 miles to the journey. The current route doesn't exactly make sense to a hiker who is going from Cincinnati to Dayton.

The trail from Yellow Springs to Springfield was mostly on the bike path. The bike path ended at I-70 where the Buckeye Trail goes on roads and sidewalks to downtown Springfield. In Springfield the trails makes a turn to the south and heads to Dayton.

In Springfield the trail passes a couple of seedy taverns. I took a break on the front porch of one. A motorcycle rider came out of the tavern and noticed some feathers I was carrying on my backpack. He told me to be careful with my feathers. He said, by law, I was not allowed to possess hawk feathers unless I was a Native American or I was carrying a permit. He said I could get fined for having them. He said he had feathers at home just like mine. I thanked him for the information and said I would be careful. I did not have the heart to tell him that I had turkey feathers not hawk feathers.

Only 25 more miles to go! I am feeling that it is time to end this hike.

June 12 - Xenia - 50 Miles To Dayton

Muddy horse trail Caesar Creek State Park.

Today I hiked 24 miles to just outside of Xenia. The weather was pleasant today for a change. The temperature was in the mid 70s and there was a nice breeze. No rain. I spent most of the day in Caesar Creek State Park hiking on trails.

I got a late start from my campsite at the Day Use Lodge at Caesar Creek State Park. I was tired from hiking 30 miles the day before. I was very familiar with the Buckeye Trail for the next five miles or so since I had hiked here many times before.

The trail goes by the beach at Caesar Creek State Park. There were not too many people there for a Sunday in June. I remember coming here years ago and the place was packed with people. Today it looked more like a ghost town. Even the concession stand was permanently closed. There were lots of people on the lake in boats today. The boat ramps were very busy.

The trail past the beach goes on horse trails for about ten miles. As usual the horse trails were wet and muddy. It was miserable hiking.

I hope to meet the people responsible for routing the Buckeye Trail on horse trails in Hocking State Forest, Tar Hollow State Forest, Scioto State Forest, East Fork State Park and Caesar Creek State Park. I think they should see for themselves how bad the trail is in these areas. I would like to extend a personal invitation to lead these folks on a hike on these muddy horse trails. Perhaps after their boots got sucked off in the mud a few times they might reconsider using horse trails? (Please note that Leave No Trace principles instruct the hiker to go right through the mud and not go around it to prevent the trail from getting wider.) My guess is that the Buckeye Trail was routed on these horse trails years ago before they got bad.

I eventually left Caesar Creek State Park and hiked on roads to Spring Valley and back to the Little Miami River bike path. It was so nice to get back to flat, dry walking. I hiked about three miles on the bike path before calling it a day. I am spending the night with my mother and her husband who live in the south Dayton area.