Well, it’s taken a few months for me to get around to writing this. It seems that with Facebook, etc, the website has become my last priority.
My resolution for the new year was to complete the “Activated All Ohio References” award. The final push began on New Years Day, with a drive up to the Cleveland area to do Cleveland Lakefront SP (US-1942). Afterwards, a trip up the North coast to Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve (US-9412 was in order.
Cleveland Lakefront was OK; another 10 & done activation from the truck. I did get to meet up with Kevin Ritchie; KD8IE. We did one of the few 2 Meter Park to Park contacts in my log.
Afterwards, I headed to Headlands Dunes. The entrance to the preserve passes by the Northern Terminus of Ohio’s Buckeye trail. This was a not real hospitable day for hanging on the shores of lake Erie. But, the bands were good, and that’s all I cared about. I was real happy to do my 16 contacts, then pack up the Wolf River Coil, and leave. That cold wind off of Lake Erie was brutal! If you look closely, the rope that secures the whip to the railing is visible. If not for that, the whip had a tendency to fall over.
One picture shows the gear that I took with me. This activation involved a walk of about 1000 ft from the parking lot; not too bad, but I was determined to pack light. As usual, I forgot some crucial piece of gear back at the ruck, and had to schlep my gear twice the distance planned.
Once set up, the bands were great. I met a husband & Wife who celebrated each New Year since 1999 with a walk to the Nature Preserve. I’m sorry that I didn’t get their names, or a picture.
This trip finished off the NE Ohio part of my quest. There were 15 left to go; all in SW & West Central Ohio. I was watching the weather to find a good weekend to do that one. Stay tuned! DE WG8X
