August 21, 2008

August 21, 2008

From Akron, OH we drove a bit north to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Park is long and narrow and sits on either side of the Cuyahoga River that flows north into Cleveland. The Cuyahoga became infamous in the sixties when it was so polluted it actually caught on fire, fueling the environmental movement. We drive into the park thru little towns looking for the Visitor Center. From the park map we know it is here but signs are nonexistent. Finally we park the RV and walk around till we find the right building. A ranger gives us the lowdown on the park. The centerpiece is a bike and walking path that runs along the Cuyahoga. It used to be the mule towpath for an 1831 canal that connected the Ohio River with Lake Erie. We unhitch the bikes and give it a go. The bike path is nice, relaxing, and popular. Alongside the towpath you can see the depression where the canal once ran. After a good workout we return to the RV and prepare to head on. Cuyahoga Valley was a National Recreation Area until its promotion to National Park in 2000. In my opinion it doesn’t deserve it. I think the distinction of National Park should be reserved for places of special beauty. Not for a nice suburban bike path. Oh, by the way, don’t go to this National Park for peace and quiet either. The close-knit farms lining the bike path use loud air cannons to keep the birds away from the crops.

Leaving Cuyahoga Valley we drive to Mentor, OH to visit James Garfield National Historic Site. Aimee and I like the presidential National Historic sites. They usually are very well done and give us historical tidbits that allow us to remember the presidents in order. This site doesn’t let us down. We start with a tour of this Victorian Mansion but are reminded that it was substantially enlarged after Garfield’s death to house his papers and memorabilia. Garfield was a Civil War hero and elected president in 1880. He was famous for having been born in poverty and pulling himself up with his bootstraps. Unfortunately he was assassinated by an upset office seeker and died having only served 200 days with most of it spent lingering on his deathbed.

We drive west of Cleveland and stay in a park near Milan, OH.