Zaleski Petting Zoo - A Trip Report

“Friday The Zoo Opens

I arrived at the zoo at about 4:00 to be greeted by a jerbear, a distancedude (Zaleski's version of the crocodile hunter), a nigal (some Australian marsupial) and a kid called balloonman. The hike was about 3 miles, up a two track and .3 miles of trail. We had a great fire going, and a sweet camp site (D), which had a nice privy and ice cold clean water.

After setting up camp, I popped open the cerimonial bottle of Merlot, and waited for the rest of the zoo to arrive. Soon, briar rabbit and his buddy lance (an Alaskan guide) arrived, with tequila. It was feeding time at the zoo, as the fire raged, tales of Alaska flowed and the kid impressed us with his creations (which will put him in the good graces of young beautiful women someday).

This bear then went into a 12 hour hibernation. At around 10:00, I'm told, two trees (birch and sassafrass), and a bull (tarabull) arrived. The zoo was nearly full, and all the animals went to thier barns to crash.

Saturday Lost and Alone at the Zoo

We broke camp at about 8:00 and headed the 7+ miles to our next destination. The conditions were perfect for this time of year, about 60 degrees, sunny, many of the trees still retaining thier autumn colors, and that wonderful smell of decay in the air. The trail was a nice challange for Ohio, with our top peak being about 900 ft., and some nice hills. I arrived at camp followed closely by distancedude and balloonman. As I was gathering wood, I nearly stepped on two large rat snakes, who we later told the others were copperheads to scare them. (I didn't pet the snakes)

Soon, the rest of the crew rolled in and set up camp, as distancedude, true to his name, dayhiked the upper south loop (6 miles). We were all tired, and broken down at the zoo, when, mr. ducttape surprised us with his dog Keefe. After feeding time and nap time, and the rearrival of distancedude, we settled in front of the fire. At this point, 3:30, ducttape, and balloonman decided to tackle the upper south loop as well.

It was 6:30, and dark, the zoo was restless for several reasons:
1. bottle #2 of merlot was opened.
2. mint schnapps was being passed around.
3. I STILL didn't know the buckeye score.
4. Jerbear was running out of bacon.
5. Tarabull and I were running out of massage balm; and.......
6. ducttape and balloonman were not in thier cages yet, an hour and a half into darkness.

A posse was formed, and soon our heros found, all was well at the zoo.

That night, through some brilliant strategic planning, the two bears and nigal, all snorers were camped within 20 feet of each other. Thier snoring, combined with the ensuing thunderstorm would have put the best symphony to shame.

Sunday No More Zoo :(

distancedude, much wiser after not sleeping due to the snoring on friday night, camped far away from us, and left very early. It rained pretty good the night before, so everything was mostly wet, and we still didn't have a buckeye score. We hit the trail at about 8:30, and hiked the road back to the cars. Some animals need to take showers, and then most of us met at the local breakfast joint for some grub. Yes, Jerbear did make the waitress blush a few times, as is traditional.

All in all, it was great weather, a great trip with good people. I met balloonman (one heck of a kid), distancedude (walkin'dude's match), briarrabbitt (I'm his wingman any day), Lance (a ten year alaska vet) and ducttape (soon to be a president of HMWH Club), and enjoyed their company. It was also nice seeing the ole' crew again (sass, birch, tarabull, jerbear & nigal).


*Some of the events posted in this trip report may have happened at times other than specified. All names have remained the same. TT is an equal opportunity hiking emporium.”

“Hey! Great report. Glad to see everyone is back safe and sound and had fun.”

“Sounds like a fun group and a fun trip!”

“Sounds like a great trip.

I have a great picture of the message train from the jordan river trip. It's a classic. I'll hopefully have it posted soon.”

“Tis good to know Nigal hasn't completly separated himself from the loop.”

“LOL! Thanks gang.”

“That poor waitress!

Good report, BB. It's always cool meeting new folks. I'd be pleased to hike again with any of the folks I met this weekend.

Glad you all made it home okay. We saw numerous cars in ditches on the way home, and had rain most of the way.”

“That geo trakker accident could have been alot worse too sassy. Those things are death trap!”

“Yeah. Scarey stuff.”

“I hate those geos. I've almost been killed in them twice. Biggest piece of sh1t ever made.”

“you forgot to tell how the waitress made tarabull drink out of the sippy cup.”

“LMAO! Tarabull knos who really wanted the sippy cup for her. She knew as soon as she saw it. I was really impressed by how fast my pants dried, being cotton and all.”

“my favorite quote of the weekend came from balloonman.

"i'm getting to the point where i just don't care anymore. i'm gonna lay down and go to sleep right here."

this was about 2 minutes before we saw the search party.”

“I beleive ballon man had all he wanted that day. I had a good time. You all are some good people. Hope to see you again.”

“sounds like you guys had a good time, and i hate to miss out on a good time! thanks for the report, BB!”

“Sounds like some kindo fun.


Now. . .I figured that duct and balloon just took longer than you guys had estimated and you got worried. . . .but did they actually get lost?”

“Hey buddha bear, My e-mail is ballonman@backpacker.com. it too is spelled wrong. lol.”

“No, we didnt get lost or anything. We took a little while longer than expected and dark fell. after it got dark that really slowed down our speed. but its good to know we wouldnt of been left out there had I actualy gave up lied down on the mud and quit.”

“did dirtbag darryl make an appearance??”

“i think we backtracked a little over a mile on that upper loop. we lost the trail a few times when it was daylight. once it got dark we were screwed. just had to go slow and turn around if we didn't see a blaze for a while.”

“You should have pet the snakes. What? Were you afraid they were going to bite you? Heeheehee!”

“I am glad that you guys had a good time.Did you get the storms that we got in Indiana backpacking the same weekend?

They were pimp!

8)”

“What a wonderful weekend.

Sass,Tarabull and I night hiked a dirt road in. It was a beautiful,clear and starry night.We didnt even need our headlamps as the road reflected enough moonlight to easily follow.

Got to meet 5 new folks,splendid weather and just enough remnants of fall colors.

Thanks all for a good one!”

“We got some good, hard rain CMB. I don't know that there was lightning or thunder though.”

“Birch, that was a great synoposis. Cant spell it but ya git the drift!Yo bear!”

“lots of lightning at one point.”

“Must have slept through it, lol. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Hey Distance Dude, I hope we get to hang out with you again too!”

“So there was an accident!!! I saw the meat wagon and a cruiser heading N towards y'll. Hope it wasn't bad and it didn't involve any TT'ers.

LOL@ ductape!!! He just gave up like that !! So long as he has his ballons he's a happy boy.

What I experienced..

Got a late start. Got alittle lost getting there.

I brought an old friend that I have know since KG times. We've shared many great adventures together growing up and in the wilds. He is quite the character. He can read a trail map but road maps are another story.

After a stop in at the RS to grap a map, we were off for the trailhead. The TH parking lot had about 20 cars no vans as of yet and it was about half full. We took somewhat of a short cut in. It cut about 2 miles and maximized our remaining daylight. That annex trail takes you past some really nice mossy rock shelters. Most were natural but I did see drill marks on a few rock outcroppings. The hills were alittle strenuous and rewarding at times. In the right soft light, a hill side carpeted with fallen vibrant yellow leaves is spectacular to say the least.

The wildlife was few and far between for me. Hardly a bird or a tree rat to be seen. No white flags either. I was really wanting to catch a glimpes at one of those. We did have a little wood knockers pay us a visit on the second evening. One thing I did miss hiking in the first night was the beaver pond, lodge and dam that I saw the following morning while packin over to the next site. Good looking little dam and lodge but no beaver to be seen. Its been awhile since I've seen wild beaver on the trail.

The first night in we arrived shortly after nightfall. Every camp I stumbled into looking for familiar faces and shouting strange names kept pointing me further on down the trail.

Eventually I saw a few bodies silhouetted against the fleeting twilight just down the path. It was here that I found Buddha bear , Distance dude and ballonman standing above a flamless pit. Jerbear and Nigal were off planting a sign for Birch and the others. So after a few 'nice ta meet cha's' and some handshakin' we all settled down and continue to rap until Jerbear and Nigal came back. Then it was more of the same 'nice ta meet cha's' and some handshakin. Having never to have met with any of them, other than Jerbear, one would be hard pressed to tell otherwise. Things just clicked in like they do when one see's some old friends.
PLus after trolling some of these folks for awhile I figured it would be best to meet them. Mooohahaha.

A quick side note, my buddy, Lance is a profueler or so he thinks. Fearing he would either have to share his tequila or pack it to the next site he opted to finish it off that night. And that he did. Within a few hrs after arrival he was shall I say 'out like a light' and his grocery bought tequila was gone.

Jerbear and Buddha also retired early. 10:30 was the time Birch and the rest were due in and they weren't a moment to late. After yet another round of 'nice ta meet cha's' and some handshakin' we all settled back down till alittle after midnight eatin', drinkin' and rappin'. Nothing but a great time with interesting people.

Saturday was cloudier than expected and temperture could not have been better. The heavens spat alittle bit while in transit but it was nothing compared to the 4a.m. wake up call I would get. A few of the long steppers broke out early in an attempt to land a good site for night. It was a good thing they did since there was a fair amount of people out thinking the same way.

That early spat of rain was a hint of what was to come. It came in about 3:30 to 4 o'clock in morning and caught me totally off guard. I didn't bring a tent only a bivy sack and a e-blanket for a ground cloth/shelter. They were phat heavy drops so I immediately crawled out of my sack to grab the only trash bag I brought. Into that I stuff those items that needed protection the most. Had I know the heavier rain was not to come for awhile I could have made a simple structure but instead I opted to crawl back into my bag and bring my e-blanket up over me in a semi-burrito style for protection. It work for the most part and had there been stronger ground winds I would have been screwed. There were more flashes then rumbles and by the time the rooster hour came the rain had all but subsided. I awoke to a wet world. After assessing the water damage which was minimial I proceeded to ready myself for the hike out. Stiff coffee was in tall order. I think I was the last to shoulder my pack. I had to enjoy my coffee on the hoof cause the rest of the Regulators were ready to roll on out of there. So with my mug in hand I plunder off down the wet trails. Stopping from time to time to take a swig and gander one last time upon the vibrant yellow carpet of leaves. Last days are by far my least favorite.
Back at the TH parking lot we all meet for some 'hug's and shakes' and 'see you agains'. Just the right amount of great people.

Till we meet again,”

“REGULATORS!!!!












RIDE!!!”

“Hi all!

I had a fine time! Was so happy to meet some new folks. I hear what ya said, Briar, about things just clicking w/ these people. I felt like I've known ya for years. I know a guy that writes songs. He has a line in one of his songs that makes me think of all of the TT people I've ever met...

"I don't know you. But I've never met a stranger."

-Sterling Waters (Hope I quoted it right)

BB - You never really had us frightened w/ the whole Copperhead story. But, it was a nice try. I guess you didn't realize what a group of fearless hikers we are.

Oh, and I had no doubt in my mind about who requested the sippy cup for me at the restaurant. Thanks! I appreciated that w/ a big hearty laugh! You're a riot.”

“Hey, I'm just a ole Wva. backpackpacker and am sorry for not sayin a hole lot: BUT, I had a hell of a time. I cant believe you all didnt take balon man on the western section out, thats the way I went. My calves were sore as hell.”

“balloonman was hurtin. he wasn't keeping up with me like he was the day before. i was haulin ass out of there and still couldn't keep up with buddha bear.”

“Naw, no TTer's injured. Some lady was going too fast and almost hit a kid hiking on the wrong side of the road, flipping her Tracker in the process. She had her two kids with her and her man. They said they were all okay. I'm glad the ambulance was on it's way. Those kids needed to have someone check 'em out. The roof of that lil' car was squashed in two feet at least.

Briar, Funny...Sunday night we sat down and turned on PBS to see people making gunpowder elements outta bat poo. I thought of you right away.

Distance Dude, we let you slip this time....next time we're gonna make you sit near the fire and tell us your life story! ;)”

“If anyone would like a really nice, brand new Gerber pocket knife, it should be lying on the ground right where we had our tarp set up Saturday night. You know where to find it. It has a small, silver lobster clip in it so it can be attached to a belt loop and you won't lose it. (I am so discusted with myself)=)”

“Left my buck knife and watch at camp site #3 Seaton Campground over the summer...darn! Just a reason to buy new gear!”

“

A hunter shot a 350 pound boar down in Zaleski. It had 4" tusks. I knew they had them down there but have never seen them. On the sad side the hunter caped it out and left the meat rot. What a shame. He should never hunt again. If I came across a hunter caping something out or sawing off racks and leaving the meat I'd throttle them within an inch of their life.



http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20090330/SPORTS/903300303”

“Is that dude straining to take a crap? Looks like his face is a little flushed.”

“Let it rot? Probably thinks bacon comes from the supermarket.”