Greetings From an old hiker here in Ohio!

Hello to all here on T.B.F. Thanks for allowing me to join in on the fun of being on the forum to learn from others and share an interest in hiking and camping. I've done my far share of hiking in the last 22 years here in Ohio and a little bit in Kentucky. I've seen a few trails here -n- there and there is some I still need to see. I've hiked Old Man Caves more times than I can count, I've hiked and camped Zaleski Hiking trail 8 times over the years, I've hiked and camped the Northern loop of Shawnee's Hiking trail, I've camped and hiked Wildcat Hollow 9 times over the years, I've hiked John Bryant State Park, C. J. Brown Reservoir Trails, Delaware State park trails. The only place that I've hiked outside of the state is in Kentucky. Which was The Natural Bride Trail and also 5 miles of the D.Boones National Trail at the Gap. So I've seen a few trials in my time but like I said I still have a few to still see,LOL. I will be trying some new ones soon! I recently have been thinking of doing Tar Hollow as well as I'm looking to go back to Kentucky to hike and camp possibly at the Red River Gorge. One place I dream of recently, is going to N.C The Linville Gorge. So that's enough rambling I hope to meet others and share! Have a nice day!

Right back at you, from another old Ohio hiker! I've hiked many of the same trails that you have, and even know where Mechanicsburg is - I'll be driving right through it on Route 4 about 7am tomorrow, on my way to Columbus from Eaton, where I live.

It's a bit far, but there's a group called Dayton Hikers (www.daytonhikers.org) that run a number of backpacking trips throughout the year. It's a good bunch of folks, and we're always looking for more. This year, I've joined them for a beginner's trip (they always like to have a few old hands to leaven the loaf, so to speak) and a trip on the Sheltowee Trace along the Rockcastle River near London, KY. Andy Niekamp, the organizer, is a great guy, and does a superb job leading these trips.

A backpacking shop in Miamisburg (southern suburb of Dayton) also sponsors trips, mostly on the Twin Valley Trail, which is a 35 mile trail split into two loops with a connector between them. It's not spectacular, but it's close, in the woods, and great for weekends. The shop is also running a trip to Hoosier National Forest on the March 1 weekend, if you'd like to add a third state to your resume. Check out Great Miami Outfitters' website (www.greatmiamioutfitters.com) for the details.

Maybe we'll meet on the trail somewhere!