By Shauna Scott Rhone
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Just what is the Buckeye Trail? The 1,280-mile hiking trail makes a large pedestrian loop within the borders of Ohio.

The first section of trail was dedicated in 1959 in Hocking County in south-central section of the state. It winds through 40 of the state's 88 counties.

The trail passes through forests, countrysides and farms, and the cities of Cincinnati, Akron, Defiance, Cleveland, Massillon, Troy, Dayton, Batavia and Napoleon are either part of or close by the long path.

The Buckeye Trail Association (BTA) oversees management of the entire trail. This statewide all-volunteer organization plans the trail routes and relocations and builds the trail.

The association also paints the "blue blazes," markers placed on trees or poles that indicate the level of difficulty on the path ahead.

It also provides information to the public, and education about the outdoors.

Association president Herb Hulls hopes Ohioans Brent and Amy Anslinger's trek encourages other hikers to walk the trail.

"(The Anslingers' walk) will help us to bring more awareness to the trail," Hulls says. "We're all volunteers so we're always looking for more maintainers to help keep the trail in good shape. It's a great way to improve membership to help make it a better trail."

Groups who live near one of the 24 sections go to the trail monthly to clear the area and make the paths more accessible.

"Our sole purpose is to build and maintain a trail for everybody to enjoy," says Hulls.

Follow the weekly progress of the Anslingers' journey across Ohio by logging on to the association Web site, www.buckeyetrail.org.