Today was a beautiful spring day. The morning was cool but it warmed up quickly. The sun was shining and there was blue sky with puffy white clouds.
Poppie hiked with me the first few miles to Gambier. He made a point to stop everyone we saw and tell them I was the famous Captain Blue who was hiking from Cincinnati to Cleveland. Some people were impressed and other people looked confused. He was my greatest promoter. I usually replied to everyone that Poppie is out on a day pass from prison. This usually got them to stop asking questions and moving on their way.
In Gambier I said goodbye to Poppie for the last time. We took turns climbing aboard the steam locomotive in the park and posing for photos. Then we went our separate ways. I appreciated all the support Poppie gave me. I hope to return the favor.
Gambier is home to Kenyon College. Kenyon College is the oldest private college in the United States. It was recently named one of the most beautiful colleges in the world. I could only see a little bit of it from the trail. It looked pretty to me.
I continued on the Kokosing Gap Trail. I like it how each area has its own name for the trail. The Kokosing Gap Trail is 14 miles and is the longest paved rail to trail in the United States maintained by volunteers and donations. It is named for the Kokosing River and the gap it creates in a hilly part of land. The river was moving quite fast today.
Another common question people ask me is if I am training for an upcoming hike. Today near the village of Howard a cyclist yelled out to me "what trail are you training for?" I yelled back "I'm not. I am on a hike now." He got a confused look on his face and said "oh." Most people just don't think that carrying a backpack on a bike trail is real hiking. I am not practicing. This is the real deal.
In the small town of Danville I stopped at a tavern called The Hangout for dinner. The logo of the tavern is a hangman's noose. It looked pretty safe so I went in. Their prices are very reasonable. I saw my first Amish people in Danville. I am now in Amish country.
In Danville the Kokosing Gap Trail ended and I picked up the Mohican Valley Trail. The Mohican Valley Trail is 4.5 miles long and not paved. It is a dirt path mainly used by Amish buggies. There are lots of buggy tire tracks in the dirt. I did not see anyone on the trail. So far this section of the trail feels the most remote on the Ohio To Erie Trail. For a long stretch I did not hear any cars or see any buildings. All I saw was a dirt path, the Mohican River and rolling hills.
My destination for the night is the Bridge Of Dreams in Brinkhaven. The Bridge Of Dreams is 370 feet long and spans the Mohican River. It is the second longest covered bridge in Ohio and the third longest in the world. There is no motor traffic allowed on the bridge. Just horses, Amish buggies, bicycles and hikers are allowed. There is a guest register on the bridge which I signed.
Today I covered 18.5 miles. So far on this journey I have hiked 196 miles. I think the total miles on this hike will be around 325 miles.
Rain is coming tonight. So far I have not had to hike in the rain. But this will change soon. I am camped under a picnic shelter tonight. If it rains I will be dry tonight as long as I don't get kicked out of here. Wish me luck.
