On a recent business trip to the Cleveland, OH area, I left
my hotel for an early morning run. I was expecting to catch a section of the
Valley Parkway trail that runs from Rocky River to the Cuyahoga Valley National
Park. But before I had gone a half mile I came across a nicely marked paved trail/riding
path, called the Lake to Lake Trail connecting lake Isaac and Lake Abram. It
was 2.44 miles between them so that give me just about a 5-mile round trip with
a bit of cool down as I walked back to my hotel.
In my travels I seem to find a lot of these kinds of
pathways in and around the cities I visit. This particular little trail
wandered away from traffic except for a short bit where it crossed a busy
street, so even though I was just a few miles from the Cleveland airport, I
felt I was out in the sticks. It passed
over creeks and bogs and at each point there were information signs and
bridges, each unique and interesting with observation points and signs. A cemetery
from about 1812 in one location. A ancient glacial “Pothole” or “Kettle Lake”
formed in what is now Lake Abram. It is the result of an enormous block of ice
left when the last glacier left more than 12,000 years ago.
Once again, I was thrilled to find a place unexpected right
out my door. I went looking for a known running path and discovered a quiet
place filled with wonder and peace. It served as a 5-mile wakeup run to remember that no
matter how busy, or weary I might be from my travels, it’s always better to get up and get out.
You never know what adventure awaits.
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