Musings of a Polyglot Bibliophile: A Day in the Valley

History, so much history to a place!

My history with the towpath, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park began in 2003 when I moved to Ohio, and began exploring parks. I had no idea there was a National Park in our backyard (not literally, but a few miles off). I finally began going there knowing it was the National Park in 2005, till then I just thought it was a nice forested area (Brecksville portion of the park). I began biking the towpath in 2005, and then got my first serious bicycle in 2009. I also had my first serious bicycle crash in 2009 in the park! I worked at CVNP from 2007 to 2008 as an Interpretive Seasonal Ranger. It the most amazing experience and amazing to serve the country in that way, in a peaceful yet protective way. Yes, we get to protect and inform the visitors and the natural resource.

I visit the park as often as I can, we climb near there, job, hike, bicycle. There is tonnes to see and do, so much wildlife, and the culture in the valley is amazing. (Below are links for planning your visit, and information, history etc.).

Yesterday Ryan and I biked the towpath, about 40 miles, and the interesting things we saw. Earlier that week we went to an event called "Music in the Meadow" which is a free concert by a local band, at Howe Meadow. There is nothing like listening to reggae, Celtic, folk, blues, while sitting in the nature and enjoying a snack, or tossing a frisbee.

The bike ride: starting at Botzum Trail head, we headed north, through Peninsula, to Canal-way Visitor Center 36 miles round trip. However we did take a few side tours to outhouses, and picnic areas, snacking areas, so it took longer than if we kept at it.
The wild life: we saw turtles, great blue heron, doggies on leashes, chipmunk, fish, duck, geese, the great bald eagle etc.
Other things to do: We spun poi, and relaxed, watched people, biked hard, and stopped by at trail mix for a snack or two. We got ice cream and some granola bars, which were yum! There was a live Owl, Falcon, and Red Tailed Hawk display at Hunt Farm. It was really cool, lots of rangers and volunteers, being seriosuly close to some awesome birds of prey!

The towpath was ridiculously crowded, it was a Sunday! There were people with their families, little children winding around the towpath on their little bicycles, casual riders, first time riders, so many different types of bicycles and people. Lots of joggers, dog walkers, and families with strollers. Lots of traffic, and serious bikers like us needed to be careful. We did not go above 15 mph.

Weirdest moment: So I sing when I bike, its better than having a radio, which annoys the wilderness as well as fellow journeymen, but nothing like live music, right? Well I was singing "Colors of the Wind" from Disney's Pocahontas. "come run the hidden pine trails of the forest, come taste the sun-sweet berries of the earth, come roll in all the riches all around you, and for once, never wonder what their worth! the rainstorm and the river are my brothers, the heron and the otter are my friends, and we are all connected to each other... in a circle in a hoop that never ends... " etc.
My mouth opens wide as I sing loudly and peddle ferociously so, and lo and behold, something from above falls into my mouth. I am usually used to bugs and such, good source of protein. However this texture was wrong, not buggy at all. I know it was bird poop. How it found its way into my mouth could only have been an act of god, or nature herself! Cruel cruel joke! Luckily and unfortunately I only had my camelbak, and 18 more miles to go. So Ryan and I had to come up with a strange adult bird feeding the baby bird method of rinsing my mouth out, without getting the camelbak mouth piece dirty.

What is a good day in the great outdoors, without strange experiences and adventures such as this?

It is such things that make life interesting, and gives you stories to tell, and makes us more innovative.

We took a potty break by Ira trail head, where I decided to break out the flag poi. I began spinning, and had a lot of spectators, and encouraging comments, curious passer by's who wanted to try it too! It was my pleasure to explain to them and tell them about it. A Chinese family, remarked it was much like the Chinese art of dancing with the ribbon. Kind of true, except Poi is usually done with fire. I can't wait to try fire.

We ended the bike ride, sore, lactic acid consuming our muscles, badly needing of hot showers, and massages! Oh and maybe some dinner, to replenish some of the lost calories. Despite the pain, the how hard it was to walk later, it was well worth it. To more, and longer bike rides in the valley!