Cuyahoga National Park - July 2 to 3

July 2

Cuyahoga River

We got a little lost getting off the I76 and into Cuyahoga National Park in Ohio.  This park was a beautiful ribbon of green forest between Cleveland and Akron Ohio. It preserved the ecosystem and history of  the Cuyahoga River Valley.

Boston Store Visitor Center

We drove straight up the middle of the park along Riverview Road and stopped at the Boston  Store Visitor Center.

The old gas station looked open but closer inspection revealed that it was just a historic relic from the mid-20th century.

We drove the short distance to Peninsula Depot. This was the main crossroads in the park where the historic railroad, bike path and main roads meet.

As we arrived in this little village the train was pulling up to the station.

Baltimore and Ohio - Historic Train

In short order, we rented bicycles and started pedaling along the bike path that ran parallel to the old canal route and train tracks.

Emma loved to cycle and was in her element as we road along the nicely shaded bike path as it followed the banks of the Cuyahoga River.

 Emma Biking the Tow Line Trail

This National Park was a forested oasis in the middle of one of the major industrialized areas of the world.

Cuyahoga River

Similar to Central Park in New York, the major transportation arteries are designed in such a way that they pass over  key areas of the park so you don't really feel their presence.

 Highway 82 Crossing Over the Cuyahoga River

The beautifully flat bike path took us to the Brecksville train station where we had our lunch. We could have loaded our bikes on the train for the ride back but we were having too much fun cycling so we peddled back to Peninsula Depot.

 Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway

 Brecksville Station

 Cuyahoga River

 I80 passing over the Cuyahoga River

In the afternoon, we drove along Riverview Road to the Canal Exploration Center. This place had preserved one of the locks from the Ohio and Erie Canal. Built in the 1820s, this 308 mile canal connected Lake Ontario to the Ohio River. It was a major transportation route until railways took over the freight business in the late 1800s.

Ohio and Erie Canal

113) Belted Kingfisher

Lock on the Ohio and Erie Canal

July 3
This morning we drove to the Happy Days Lodge to hike the forest trails. This historic lodge was another of the National Park facilities erected in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Civilian Conservation Corp

We started our hike on the one kilometre Haskell Run trail. This short loop trail followed Haskell Run Creek through the woods by Happy Days Lodge.

A connecting trail led us onto the more challenging Ledges Trail.

The 3 km. Ledges Trail continued through lush green deciduous forest with many interesting rocky outcrops.

On every hike, Sonaa was looking for any opportunity to troll for pats and belly rubs.

There were a few birds flitting among the trees but, for the most part, the forest was quiet. At this time of year, birds are focused on keeping a low profile while they feed their young.

By west coast standards, the Ledges Trail did not gain any significant altitude but it did gradually wind upward to a minor prominence where you could look out over the forest canopy.

Emma and Sonaa at the Ledges Overlook

In the mid-afternoon, we returned to the RV and headed east toward the Atlantic Ocean.