I am so glad that I was able to attend the 10th Annual Buckeye TrailFest at Shawnee State Park, which was held Thursday - Sunday, August 17-20, 2023. As I wrote in my last blog post, Summer Vacation 2023: South Haven, Michigan and Merry-Go-Round Museum, I have been very busy since recovering from my April surgery:
Please see our three Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy blog posts to learn how Stuart went from not being able to walk up two steps without being completely winded, to his current status of being fully recovered. Part of the reason for the delay in publishing this blog post is that Stuart didn't have time . . . he has been very busy making up for the six months that he was not able to be active. He has been hiking sections of the Buckeye Trail to regain his stamina, working out at University Hospitals cardiac rehabilitation program, . . . He has also been planning our trip . . . to an Appalachian Trail (A.T.) thru-hikers reunion at the A.T. Museum (the A.T. Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony weekend . . . ). Stuart is also getting ready for a backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail later this month. . . . we have already begun planning an Alaska adventure for 2024!
I still wanted to take the time to put together this blog post for two reasons that are important to me:
I want to encourage others to learn about the Buckeye TrailFest and the important work of the Buckeye Trail Association in maintaining the longest trail in any one state in this country.
The main purpose of this blog post is to thank the organizers and presenters of the Buckeye TrailFest 2023 for sharing their talents to create a successful event. I am very grateful for all their efforts to make a welcoming and educational event for all attendees.
This trip to the 2023 Buckeye TrailFest in Shawnee State Park took me to this part of Ohio for the first time. Driving through Ohio's flat central region, it was interesting to arrive in an area that reminded me of mountainous regions I have backpacked in other states -- not at all like the Ohio that I am used to seeing. I really enjoyed visiting and learning a little bit about this part of Appalachian Ohio.
In the past ten years or so, my only camping experiences have been backpacking where going lightweight is the goal. Going "car camping" again was a fun experience for the weekend, and I now plan to add a car camping experience before and after my upcoming backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. For the first time, I slept in the wall tent that I had purchased for my son when he volunteered at Cleveland GiveCamp -- it was very different to have a tent where you can stand up and even have room for simple camp furniture. (PSA: I highly recommend visiting ClevelandGiveCamp.org and my Cleveland GiveCamp blog posts to learn how Cleveland and Akron nonprofits can have built personalized websites at no cost.) I brought a collapsible camp table that I used to use before 2008 when I spent a week every summer at camp when my sons were in Boy Scouts. I even purchased a new cot so that I did not need to sleep on the ground. For me, this was luxury camping.
Thank you to Buckeye Trail Association Executive Director Andrew Bashaw, who on August 16, 2023, provided the following email with information about the TrailFest weekend. It was a great help to read everything and pick favorite programs before attending. This greatly helped the event run smoothly.
Presentation/Workshop Descriptions
(81 KB PDF file will open in new browser window)Presentation/Workshop Schedule
(258 KB PDF file will open in new browser window)Weekend Menu
(290 KB PDF file will open in new browser window)
In addition to the workshops and presentations, several organized hikes were offered throughout the weekend and were listed on the event website:
The following are my notes that I posted when I first arrived and every evening of the event; my photos/videos; and a descriptions of the workshops I attended. (Please excuse any typos or grammatical errors in my notes -- I wrote them late at night after a busy day of workshops and talking trail.) I end the blog post with links to resources I learned about during the TrailFest weekend. I hope you find the following useful, and if you do, please share with others. Thank you.
July 27, 2023 - Before Buckeye TrailFest 2023
Here is what I wrote the day I registered to attend the Buckeye TrailFest 2023 weekend:
Stuart O Smith Jr
July 27 ·I have been always been interested in attending the Buckeye TrailFest Weekend, but I have not been able to make it in the past.
#FollowTheBlueBlazes -- I feel fortunate to be able to attend this year. Thank you The Buckeye Trail Association volunteers, TrailFest presenters, and staff for planning what looks like will be a great event at Shawnee State Park on August 17-20, 2023.
https://buckeyetrail.org/TrailFest/
Randall Roberts, I see that you are do a presentation on Friday at 2:15PM about "Peace Pilgrim" -- the first women to hike the entire Appalachian Trail Conservancy's #AppalachianTrail. https://buckeyetrail.org/TrailFest/programs.php I hope to attend your talk to learn more about this women who ". . . walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace."
I had first heard about Mildred Norman "Peace Pilgrim" Ryder from the Appalachian Trail Museum, but don't many details of her life.
https://www.atmuseum.org/2017-class.html
https://www.atmuseum.org/news/giants-of-the-appalachian-trail-honored-a…FYI, in addition to attending the BT TrailFest, I will be at the Appalachian Trail Museum's A.T. Hall of Fame in September: https://www.facebook.com/AppTrailMuseum/posts/pfbid02xukQjXf6oYocbqFixa…
I look forward to learning more about the #BuckeyeTrail at the Buckeye TrailFest 2023.
https://buckeyetrail.org/
https://www.facebook.com/BuckeyeTrailFest
Here is a flyer announcing the Buckeye TrailFest 2023 weekend with the logos of event organizers and partners:
Thursday, August 17, 2023 - Arrived Early
My summary and photos from arriving early:
Stuart O Smith Jr
August 17 at 3:32 PMI arrived early to the 10th Annual Buckeye TrailFest so I would have time to look around the Shawnee State Park Lodge and this part of the park before the Trailfest started.
https://buckeyetrail.org/TrailFest/
https://facebook.com/events/s/10th-annual-buckeye-trailfest/35663034869…I checked out the Shawnee State Park Backpacking Registration parking where the The Buckeye Trail Association’s #BuckeyeTrail goes through the park. I saw signs that reminded me that this part of #Ohio’s Buckeye Trail is also part of the North Country Trail Association and American Discovery Trail.
https://discoverytrail.org
https://northcountrytrail.orgAfter next visiting the boat launch area, I went to the Shawnee State Park Nature Center to talk to the naturalist. She showed me the two venomous snakes that live in this part of the state — the eastern copperhead and the timber rattlesnake. I let her know that I learned about the timber rattlesnake being in this part of Ohio from when I visiting the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in University Circle Inc.
I’m glad to be attending my first Buckeye TrailFest.
I recommend viewing in full screen mode!
Day One: Thursday, August 17, 2023
Official listings of those programs I attended:
2023 Buckeye Trailfest Presentation/Workshop Schedule
Thursday Evening
4:00 PM
Registration Opens - Shawnee State Park Lodge. . .
8:00 PM
Campfire Stories
My summary and photos of the day:
Stuart O Smith Jr
August 17 at 9:56 PMThanks, The Buckeye Trail Association, for the good time at day one of 10th Annual Buckeye TrailFest .
I met some great people at the group campsite area and at dinner. I am enjoying the beautiful Shawnee State Park Lodge for the TrailFest, while camping at the Shawnee State Park campground.
At the evening campfire I talked with a hiker about ways to use the FarOut App map and the Gaia GPS map app on the #BuckeyeTrail.
At the campfire I also met person who hiked all of Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Appalachian Trail (over 2,100 miles) — he gave me some insight about hiking in Maine.
https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/hike-the-a-t/thru-hiking/
I look forward to the Buckeye Trail workshops that start tomorrow.
https://www.buckeyetrail.org/TrailFest/
https://facebook.com/events/s/10th-annual-buckeye-trailfest/35663034869…
I recommend viewing in full screen mode!
Day Two: Friday, August 18, 2023
Official listings of those programs I attended:
2023 Buckeye Trailfest Presentation/Workshop Schedule
Friday Morning
8:15 AM
Wilderness First Aid Basics
This is a NON-CERTIFICATION session on backcountry emergencies
Location: Cornstalk Room
Presented by: Matt Taylor, Nile Township Fire Department
This NON-certification course will be an overview of basic medical emergencies that most often occur in the backcountry. Attendees will learn to recognize symptoms and be offered examples of emergency treatment to help while waiting on more skilled responders.. . .
8:45 AM
Taste the Sunshine
Scotty Claypool of Sunshine Catering will show you how to be a campfire cooking master!
Location: Campfire
Presented by: Scotty Claypool , Sunshine Catering
Scotty will give tips on menu planning, packing, fire building, food prep, campfire cooking, and serving. The workshop will include a demonstration and hot off the fire treats.9:30 AM
Meet your BTA Board and Staff
Panel Discussion with the BTA Staff and Board Members
Location: Cornstalk Room
Presented by: Randall Roberts, Buckeye Trail Association
Curious about how the BTA is organized? With so much work being done remotely, let's take the chance to have an in person conversation and get to know your BTA Staff, Key Volunteers and Board members. Everyone plays a role. Get to know them in person. Bring your questions, concerns, and comments.. . .
2023 Buckeye Trailfest Presentation/Workshop Schedule
Friday Afternoon
1:00 PM
Ohio Division of Wildlife's Ongoing Involvement with the Buckeye Trail
The Division of Wildlife has been partnered with the Buckeye Trail for years; there are many Wildlife Areas in the state that have the trail trekking through, specifically in southeastern Ohio. Attend this presentation to learn more about where these Wildlife Areas are and what they have to offer
Location: Cornstalk Room
Presented by: Stanleigh Archer, ODNR, Division of Wildlife
The Division of Wildlife has many unique opportunities for diverse user groups from hunting to birding to hiking on Wildlife Areas. To elaborate on hiking, one of the key trails on some Wildlife Areas have been the BT. We will dive into the trails and what unique attributes these Wildlife Areas have, specifically the southeastern Wildlife Areas that have the Buckeye Trail meandering throughout.. . .
2:15 PM
Peace Pilgrim
Who was Peace Pilgrim and what she meant to me.
Location: Moccasin Room
Presented by: Randall Roberts, BTA
From 1953 until 1981, a silver haired woman calling herself "Peace Pilgrim" walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She shared her simple but profound message “when enough of us find inner peace, our institutions will become peaceful and there will be no more occasion for war.” Randall will share what he knows about this remarkable woman and how she touched his life.2023 Buckeye Trailfest Presentation/Workshop Schedule
Friday Evening
6:30 PM
Opening Remarks by Mindy Bankey, Assistant Director ODNR6:45 PM
The Arc of Appalachia - A Passion for Hiking Trails & Wildlands Preservation!!
Nancy Stranahan, Director of the Arc of Appalachia, will share the rapidly changing social environment in which the pace of wildlands preservation opportunities are rapidly increasing.
Location: Arrowhead Room
Presented by: Nancy J Stranahan, Arc of Appalachia Preserves
The Arc of Appalachia is changing the landscape of Ohio, one acre and one person at a time. Today, the Arc protects 10,000-plus acres in 28 preserves, has over 250 active volunteers, maintains over 60 miles of trails, and stewards some of the most beautiful protected landscapes in Appalachian Ohio. Tonight will be an overview of the Arc's past accomplishments and new and exciting trajectories.8:00 PM
Meandering Thru
Film: Showing of the documentary Meandering Thru
Location: Arrowhead Room
Meandering Thru is a feature length documentary about love, adventure, and the history of Ohio’s state trail.
On the verge of starting a new family, newly wedded Everett Brandt took the summer off from teaching to do one last epic adventure. That adventure: setting a 1400 mile record on Ohio’s Buckeye Trail, will have him face physical, mental and emotional challenges. To complete his solo trek he will need the support and the love of his wife, father and siblings.
Meandering Thru debuted at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival in October 2022. The film has also been screened at The Trails Film Festival and The Cut Film series. It was created by Kevin Morrissey who over the time of 4 years filmed, edited and animated the project. The original score was created by Jonah Meister. The film will be followed by a virtual Q&A session. . .
8:00 PM
Campfire
My summary and photos of the day:
Stuart O Smith Jr
August 18 at 10:48 PM ·I had a great time at day two of the 10th Annual Buckeye TrailFest!
In the morning, I learned about the board management of The Buckeye Trail Association, I attended a demonstration about how to cook over an open fire, I reviewed my Wilderness First Aid skills, and ended the morning sessions with discussion about Trail Protection for the #BuckeyeTrail.
Check out Todd T. Toad on social media — #ToddTheToad.
In the afternoon, I learned about the Ohio Division of Wildlife support of the Buckeye Trail.
I had learned from the Appalachian Trail Museum about Mildred Norman Ryde “Peace Pilgrim” — the first woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Appalachian Trail https://www.atmuseum.org/2017-class.html but didn’t know much about her life. A big thank you to Randall Roberts who did an excellent talk today entitled: “Who was Peace Pilgrim and what she meant to me” https://www.buckeyetrail.org/TrailFest/programs.php
At the evening programs I learned about the work of Arc of Appalachia [https://www.arcofappalachia.org/] and then saw the documentary about Everett Brandt’s adventure, setting a 1400 mile record on Ohio’s Buckeye Trail — see the video on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/774336160
FYI, I met Everett Brandt in 2018, when he invited me to his home to talk trail. He gave me some great advice that I then used on my 2019 section backpacking trip on the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s PCT — see details in my blog: https://sosassociates.com/blog/2020-12-10-exploring-buckeye-trail-littl…
I look forward to learn more about the Buckeye Trail tomorrow on day three.
I recommend viewing in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to read the interesting facts in the slides!!
Day Three: Saturday, August 19, 2023
Open Buckeye TrailFest 2023 Group Photo in new browser window.
Official listings of those programs I attended:
2023 Buckeye Trailfest Presentation/Workshop Schedule
Saturday Morning
8:15 AM
Landscape photography in southern Ohio
Best practices for shooting landscape photography, with an emphasis on Shawnee State Park and Forest
Location: Cornstalk Room
Presented by: Brian Prose, Southern Ohio Photography
Southern Ohio encompasses 12 state forests and parks, 36 nature preserves and a national forest, totaling nearly 300,000 acres dedicated to the outdoors. I will showcase some of my favorite locations. In addition, I will cover some camera settings for both a traditional camera and using the camera on the phone.. . .
9:30 AM
Hiking Through It: A Mental Health Perspective for Leaders on the BT
Diane Wright, LISW-S will share a mental health clinician’s perspective on hiking, its impact on mental health and PTSD, and the ways that leaders on the trail can support the many people who turn to the trail for healing.
Location: Cornstalk Room
Presented by: Diane Wright,
Diane Wright, LISW-S, is in her 29th year as a leader and trainer in a community behavioral health agency. She is also a section supervisor, and In this presentation, she will highlight the research on hiking and its impact on mental health and PTSD, and provide suggestions for leaders on the trail to help us recognize and support the many people who turn to hiking for its healing impact.. . .
10:45 AM
Marriott, Me, and the BT: Doing the BT without camping
Marriott, Me, and the BT
Location: Cornstalk Room
Presented by: Meg Sondey, Crooked River Chapter
Not into camping, but interested in hiking the entire BT? It can be done! Learn how to utilize hotels, Airbnbs and other options as "camping" spots. I'll share how to cut costs and tips on being a "Leave No Mud" guest. We'll also delve into planning a multi-day hiking trip while staying in one spot.. . .
2023 Buckeye Trailfest Presentation/Workshop Schedule
Saturday Afternoon
. . .
1:00 PM
Wildlife Audio Recording & Southern Ohio Bigfoot Vocalizations
Wildlife audio recording (description below)
Location: Moccasin Room
Presented by: Kenny Brown
Wildlife audio recording can be a time consuming yet rewarding process but much can be learned about Ohio's fauna, especially with nighttime recording. Come listen and learn about vocalizations of Ohio's common wildlife, including vocalizations that don't match up with any known animal in the Buckeye State that just might be coming from an unclassified primate in North America known as Sasquatch.2:15 PM [Moved to a later time]
Ohio's Timber Rattlesnake
Short Presentation
Location: Campfire [Note: Presentation was moved indoors to the Moccasin Room. Being indoors and close to a live rattlesnake made the presentation much more exhilarating!!!]
Presented by: Doug Wynn
We will talk about the Timber Rattlesnake and present a live individual.. . .
4:00 PM
Theodore Roosevelt, Father of American Conservation
1922 Roosevelt Game Preserve is founded
Location: Cornstalk Room
Presented by: Josef Otmar (AKA Theodore Roosevelt),
Theodore Roosevelt will give a speech covering his life and times as well as his great pride in his accomplishments as the Father of Conservation in America. He will cover the facts surrounding the 1922 dedication of Shawnee State Forest as the Theodore Roosevelt Game Preserve.2023 Buckeye Trailfest Presentation/Workshop Schedule
Saturday Evening
6:30 PM
Mindset
Sharing insights and stories from the world’s toughest ultras.
Location: Arrowhead Room
Presented by: Harvey Lewis, Ultrarunner
Harvey Lewis is an accomplished Ultrarunner with wins at races such as Badwater 135, Big's Backyard World Championship, the 24 hour National Championship, Burning River, Buck Fifty, and a Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt on the Appalachian Trail. He will share insights and stories from these races and others and what it takes to get in the mindset to achieve.7:45 PM
BTA Awards, Wrap up, Silent Auction
My summary and photos of the day:
Stuart O Smith Jr
. . . [August 19]Saturday, August 19, 2023, Day three of the 10th Annual Buckeye TrailFest — great day of learning useful hiking/backpacking trail information from The Buckeye Trail Association members:
I started my day having breakfast with the granddaughter of Emma "Grandma Gatewood" Gatewood and other Gatewood family members. I was very fortunate that they happen to sit at the table where I was already having breakfast. Grandma Gatewood was the first woman to solo hike the entire #AppalachianTrail — learn more by visiting the Appalachian Trail Museum: https://www.atmuseum.org/grandma-gatewood.html
Thank you Brian Prose of Southern #Ohio #Photography for sharing your photos and talking to me about your drone you used to get your aerial shots. I love the photo of the butterfly on the rattlesnake! https://www.southernohiophotography.com
Thank you Diane Wright for your “Hiking Through It: A Mental Health Perspective for Leaders on the BuckeyeTrail” presentation. https://www.wta.org/go-outside/new-to-hiking/mind-body-what-hiking-does…
Check out the “Wildlife Audio Recording”
WOW, wow, wow!! Ohio's Timber #Rattlesnake demo was really incredible!! I have been close to rattlesnakes many times on the AT and PCT, but I have never seen a snake handler like this!!!
“Theodore Roosevelt, Father of American Conservation” presentation.
Evening presentation by Harvey Lewis, Ultrarunner.
At the campfire I met a section backpacker of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Appalachian Trail who has hiked from Georgia to New Hampshire. He gave me some great advice on backpacking the section near Mount Washington in New Hampshire.
Sunday morning is the last day of this great TrailFest. Thanks to the organizers for these fun days.
I recommend viewing in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to read the interesting facts in the slides!!
The following is a video of the Saturday (Day Three) presentation on "Ohio's Timber Rattlesnake." I needed to highlight these videos and photos, since this rattlesnake demonstration was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I have had close encounters with rattlesnakes many times on the Appalachian Trail over the years, and on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019, but I have never seen anything like this process of coaxing a snake to go into a tube so that it can be examined! It was incredible!!! Seriously, why doesn't the snake turn around in the direction of the handler and threaten to strike?!?! When I see a rattlesnake, I am always afraid it will strike toward me.
Once in the tube, the following was done to the snake by the handler:
Its sex was determined. Female.
A microchip was embedded under its skin. During the demonstration, the inserted microchip fell out, and had to be put in a second time.
Samples of the snake's scales and blood were taken for DNA testing. The DNA ". . . carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of all known organisms . . . "
The length of the snake was measured. Be sure to note in the video how this was done by drawing the snake's length on a plastic lid, and then measuring the line drawn.
The part of Ohio that I grew up in did not have rattlesnakes, so I was incorrectly taught that there were no venomous snakes in Ohio. It was only within the past ten years, when I saw an Ohio venomous snake display at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, that I learned the truth. Be sure to watch the following video in full screen mode.
I recommend viewing in full screen mode!
Day Four: Sunday, August 20, 2023
Official listings of those programs I attended, plus my thoughts about the last day:
Sunday Morning
. . .
9:00 AM
BTA Annual Meeting
BTA Board and Staff; Election of new BTA Board Members
Location: Cornstalk/Arrowhead
After the Buckeye Trail Association Annual Meeting, it was time to break camp. The tents came down, but the memories will remain of all that was learned and experienced over the weekend. Shawnee State Park was a beautiful place to celebrate with Ohio's trail community.
Buckeye Trail Association Executive Director's Summary
After the 2023 Buckeye TrailFest, Buckeye Trail Association Executive Director Andrew Bashaw sent out an excellent summary of the weekend. I recommend you read the following:
Resource Links
A lot of useful websites were mentioned over the TrailFest weekend. Here are links to some of what was shared:
https://buckeyetrail.org/https://buckeyetrail.org/TrailFest/
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/10th-annual-buckeye-trailfest/3566303…
https://www.buckeyetrail.org/TrailFest/Shawnee-State-Park-Map.pdf
https://ohiodnr.gov/static/documents/forestry/maps/shawnee.pdf
https://www.buckeyetrail.org/TrailFest/Shawnee-Camp-Map.pdf
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/shawnee-stat…
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/shawnee-lodg…
https://www.shawneeparklodge.com/dining
https://www.arcofappalachia.org/
https://vimeo.com/774336160
https://www.southernohiophotography.com
https://www.wta.org/go-outside/new-to-hiking/mind-body-what-hiking-does…
https://paddling.com/paddle/go-paddling-app
https://www.facebook.com/BuckeyeTrailFest
https://traumainformedoregon.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Research-No…
https://psychcentral.com/program/trauma
The following are some of the resources I shared on social media:
https://faroutguides.com/https://www.gaiagps.com/
https://www.atmuseum.org/2017-class.html
https://www.atmuseum.org/news/giants-of-the-appalachian-trail-honored-a…
https://www.facebook.com/AppTrailMuseum
https://www.facebook.com/AppTrailMuseum/posts/pfbid02xukQjXf6oYocbqFixa…
https://discoverytrail.org/
https://northcountrytrail.org/
https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/hike-the-a-t/thru-hiking/
https://sosassociates.com/blog/2020-12-10-exploring-buckeye-trail-littl…
https://www.atmuseum.org/grandma-gatewood.html
The MeetUp.com website is a great way to learn about Buckeye Trail Association activities happening at the local chapters. Log in to learn more at: https://www.meetup.com/pro/buckeyetrail/
Related Blog Posts
I have written 21 related blog posts that I welcome you to read by clicking on the "Buckeye Trail" blog tag. Here are six that I want to highlight for you:
Blog Date: June 15, 2022 - National Trails Day 2022: Buckeye Trail Association's Biggest Day Hike
Blog Date: March 31, 2021 - Rockin' Hocking Hills
Blog Date: December 28, 2020 - Beyond the Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge 2020: Part Three (Additional Thirteen Trails)
"We hope this blog post encourages you to discover more of the parks in our Cleveland Metroparks System!"Blog Date: December 10, 2020 - 1 of 5: Buckeye Trail "Little Loop" - Exploring Over 250 Miles of Northeast Ohio
"This Buckeye Trail 'Little Loop' blog post actually consists of five separate blog posts. First, this post includes information and resources . . . "Blog Date: July 28, 2020 - Buckeye Trail Little Loop Challenge 2020 - Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen
Blog Date: July 1, 2020 - Social Distancing Park Visits - June 2020
You can find more related blog posts under the following blog tags:
I am grateful to the organizers of the Buckeye TrailFest 2023, and am glad I was able to attend. I look forward to more journeys on Ohio's long trail -- the Buckeye Trail -- in my future.