Author: CW Spencer
by guest blogger Bonnie Spencer Part 1, Part 3 April 17, 2016 Day 4: St. Marys to Spencerville (13.5 trail miles) After ten days away from the trail due to various commitments, we headed back north. I had my ice cream list . . . and my umbrella; a rain coat; a pair of old rain pants with dry, broken elastic and a large safety pin to keep them up; a garbage bag in case I needed to cover my pack; and CW’s extra Frogg Toggs jacket. We had been fortunate to have wonderful …
by guest blogger Bonnie Spencer Part 2, Part 3 April 10, 2016 When I agreed to go with CW on his 150-mile Buckeye Trail circuit hike last October, I didn’t expect to do any long-distance hiking beyond that. However, soon after I returned his daypack to him, and while my ankle and toes were still healing, I was already thinking about the next big hike. Concerned that I might be going crazy, and not ready to commit to anything yet, I kept those curious thoughts to myself for a while. But eventually they emerged, greatly …
March 21, 2016 As I stated in my previous blog, I had a seemingly impossible task ahead of me. I could only reach my February goal of walking 100 miles for the month if I trudged 61 miles in the 8 remaining days. And 3 of those 8 days would find me on the road to Florida and back. It didn’t look good. I checked around to see if anyone would trade resolutions with me. No way, they said. Sure stinks being you! February 22–I mall walked with Tom. After 7 miles, I was tired …
February 22, 2016 My walking mileage always plummets in the gloomy winter months, even though I know how good it is for me. Aarp.org says, “Regular walking can prevent depression, lengthen lifespan, lower stress levels, relieve arthritis and back pain, and strengthen muscles.” Sounds good. It’s just that in the season of short days and long nights, I tend towards hibernation rather than health. I made myself walk some in December. I did better than usual for that month. By Christmas I noticed my mileage was approaching 85. Maybe I could do 100. By New …
December 28, 2015 The Christmas season is, without a doubt, my favorite time of the year. Despite the standard wars and violence always to be found somewhere on the planet, love, joy, and peace flourish during Yuletide as in no other season. Most everyone gets excited. Especially kids, merchants, and no one more so than Christians. No surprise since the birth of Christ is what started it all. Christmas lovers like me flash the Christmas message from our dwellings and anything else we can hang lights on. We go out of our way to spread …
by guest blogger Bonnie Spencer Part 1, Part 2 November 7, 2015 Day 9: Island MetroPark to Canal Lock Park in Tipp City (16.1 trail miles) It had been a week since our last hike and we were ready to get back on the trail. We would have a long day, not only from the trail mileage but also due to extra shuttling. Our plan was to break the hike into two segments. One reason was so that CW wouldn’t have to drive out of Dayton at the end of the day in rush-hour …
