Travel & Outdoors
We have a national park in our backyard.
by Amber Matheson | May. 24, 2007 | 4:00 AM
Want to get lost for an afternoonand love it? Grab your bike and hit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail.
Start here
1:30 p.m. We rent my bike at Century Cycles. It “s the only rental place in town, and while it does have a shed full of bikes, it’s been known to run out on the weekends. Get there early (the shop opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, noon on Sunday). Bikes are$7 per hour and are charged by the quarter hour after the first hour. Trailers and tagalongs available for rent, but they don’t offer bikes with training wheels.
2 p.m. Wildlife alert: We discover a snapping turtle buried in thes and up to his shoulders in the mucky water of Lock 30.
2:15 p.m. We’ve traveled 1.3 Stumpy Basin, aboard walk with sweeping vistas and a bench -- the perfect place for a snack.
2:20 p.m. The Boston Store area is as far north as we’re heading. Check out the art gallery in an old gas station, a canal way museum in the former general store and the ice cream shop across the street (and hit the restroom).
1:30 p.m. We rent my bike at Century Cycles. It “s the only rental place in town, and while it does have a shed full of bikes, it’s been known to run out on the weekends. Get there early (the shop opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, noon on Sunday). Bikes are$7 per hour and are charged by the quarter hour after the first hour. Trailers and tagalongs available for rent, but they don’t offer bikes with training wheels.
2 p.m. Wildlife alert: We discover a snapping turtle buried in thes and up to his shoulders in the mucky water of Lock 30.
2:15 p.m. We’ve traveled 1.3 Stumpy Basin, aboard walk with sweeping vistas and a bench -- the perfect place for a snack.
2:20 p.m. The Boston Store area is as far north as we’re heading. Check out the art gallery in an old gas station, a canal way museum in the former general store and the ice cream shop across the street (and hit the restroom).
3:10 p.m. We're heading south now, past Peninsula. Our first stop is Deep Lock 28, the highest lock in the
3:30 p.m. A right-hand turn after Johnny cake Lock takes us onto the open road to see the Everett Road Covered Bridge (signs on the trail will point you in the right direction).
3:45 p.m. It “s been 10 miles now, and we’ve finally reached Szalay’s Farm Market. After a sandwich enjoyed on the massive bench swing, it's off to Beaver Marsh. Keep your eyes peeled for blue herons! Map by Rustbelt Cartography Cuyahoga River
4 p.m. Our final stop whole system. Is Beaver Marsh, an automobile salvage yard that beavers converted into a marsh land. Lots of spots on the board walk to stretch your legs. I’m a little tired, a little sore, but the though of the Winking Lizard patio (and a big ol ‘daiquiri) keeps me motivated for the last leg of our trip: the path back to Peninsula.
Trending
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
