National Park. We were told, "The colors and the vistas are spectacular this time of year."
I had been wanting to get down there because all summer long a friend had told me and
shown me photos of a family of River Otters playing in the streams.
So off we went, sunny afternoon and we headed east. For those who do not know, the
Cuyahoga Valley National Park can best be found heading South through Brecksville
Reservation, and down Riverview Road. With no sign of any River Otters, Deb and I headed
to Peninsula for a quick lunch. From what I had remembered it was a quaint little town
along the river, with a couple nice restaurants. When we got there we found one had become
Century Cycle, the other was now a Linking Wizard, across the street was a third, Fisher's
where we settled down for lunch, a couple burgers.
Deb at Fisher's
One of the regulars told us the best way to see Cuyahoga Valley National Park was to
go up on the bridge that crosses over it, and take some photos. So, off we went to take a photo or two.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Heading back to Lakewood we discussed the trails, and the wildlife we thought we might
have seen, an eagle, some hawks, etc. It had been a great ride, and lots of fun.
Upon coming home, I noticed some nice clouds at on the Western Edge of the Emerald
Canyon. So I walked to the edge and took some photos, and low and behold another
great moment brought smile to my face, see below.
They looked the same.
Much like what we learned in the "Wizard of Oz" there is no place like home. We had spent
the day looking for the view we have right here in Lakewood. The big exception outside of
the River Otters and the train, was that Cuyahoga Valley National Park has become a much
better PR machine for bringing people in. The news all week was, "Check out the colors of
Cuyahoga Valley National Park!" No one even mentioned the Emerald Canyon in Lakewood,
Ohio.
While Peninsula has two restaurants and a bike shop, Lakewood has 238 places to get
prepared food, and Spin and Century Cycle(in RR). While they had a train, we have an
old train trestle with a train crossing above. While they have trails and fields, we have
a boat dock, world class fishing, and canoeing, trails, bike paths, golf courses, stables,
and so much more.
Come on city government, come on people. Think of the Emerald Canyon while it is in
its most beautiful mode, the colors of autumn.
From Craig Lovejoy/Low Level Aerial Photography.
Truly there is no place like home!
.