It is a "GO" for Sunday. Slight chance of rain is predicted after 4 PM.
Dayton Weather forecast:
http://forecast.weath...

Huffman Prairie is the flying field where the Wright Brothers really learned to fly. It is sometimes called the world's first airport and is probably the most unknown and unused National Historic Site in the nation. Known for its pristine condition and quiet beauty, it is located about an hour's drive north of Cincinnati literally at the southwestern end of Patterson Field's runway. This area used to be part of Wright-Patt Air Force base but was made into a National Historic Site and is open to the public year round. The roads inside the gated area leading to the field are somewhat confusing and poorly marked. That is why we will first meet with vehicles directly inside of gate 16A.

The moderately-paced 4-mile hike will begin at the Base Skeet Range parking lot where we will park our vehicles and walk on flat and paved paths to the south side of Huffman Prairie and then to the Wright Brother's Memorial located on a steep hill top above Huffman Prairie where there is a visitor center. We then return back on paved flat surfaces to the north side of Huffman Prairie and back to the Skeet Range parking lot. Allow for about two hours of walking and sightseeing. There are Indian burial mounds all around the visitor's center. Huffman Prairie may be wet and soggy so wear proper footwear if you want to walk on the field and visit the historical markers. Weather is predicted to be cloudy, in the low 50s and possible rain showers so dress accordingly. I'll be there rain or shine, except for lightning.

There are Porta-restrooms at the beginning of the hike and restrooms at the Visitor Center at the middle of the hike. There will be some walking across open fields to visit historical markers and a fairly steep hill to the visitor center. Dogs are welcomed along the walk but are not allowed into the visitor center building at the Wright Brother's Memorial.

Directions to Huffman Prairie from the Cincinnati area: Take I-75 north to downtown Dayton to Exit 54B (48 Main St / Route 4). This will take a short detour through a construction area. Go straight at a traffic light at bottom of ramp to get back on to route 4. Go 5.6 miles north on route 4 to exit 444 Fairborn. Once on north 444, eventually get in to the left lane and go 3.4 miles. Watch for a brown sign reading "Huffman Prairie" on the left side of the roadway and prepare to slow/stop and turn left into a fenced in gated area, gate 16A.

If you are coming southbound on route 444 from Fairborn, go past the I-844 underpass for about one half mile then it will be the first turn on the right.

Immediately after entering gate 16A, turn into third left into Twin Base Golf Club parking lot. Plan to meet here by 11:45 AM. We will meet than caravan about 1/2 mile to the Skeet Range and park there. The reason is that the paved walkways start at the Skeet Range. The roads to Huffman Prairie are confusing and not all marked by name. Some GPS systems do not show or identify former military roadways at all. My Garmin does not. If you can program your GPS, the coordinates are 39'47'33.18 N and 84'03'34.77 W. My cell is [masked] in case anyone gets lost.

Carpool. If anyone would like to carpool, please meet north of Cincinnati at the Rave Cinema parking lot off of I-75/Union Centre Blvd at 10:45 AM. Depending on which way you are coming off of I-75, take exit 19, Union Centre Blvd. Turn to go Eastbound (away from Ikea direction). Turn right (southbound) on to Civic Center Blvd. Turn first left in to Rave Cinema entrance. Follow short driveway then turn right in to the parking lot. I will be in a silver Toyota Corolla with a kayak on top. We will leave the Rave Cinema parking lot at 11 AM sharp.

Oh, just in case anyone is wondering where the Wright Brother's home and bicycle shop were located, as you are driving in to downtown Dayton and pass the Route 35 interchange, the location is about two city blocks west of that spot.

Short clip from National Park Service Film on Huffman Priaire "On Great White Wings"
http://www.youtube.co...

Wikipedia's say on Huffman Prairie
http://en.wikipedia.o...

...and don't forget the legal waiver!
http://www.tristatehi...

This information last updated at 9 AM, 20 March 2010