Week 13: Down In the Valley

I feel so fortunate to live in an area with plenty of places to walks (despite the weather). We have the Cuyahoga Valley National Park as well as 18 'reservations' in the Cleveland metroparks system. The entire area is called the Emerald Necklace. I normally stick with the paths closest to home, but am looking forward to exploring new spots this summer.

Recently, a paved connector trail was completed that links 4 suburbs. The path is 33 miles long, but can be linked with the national park's towpath trail, which is another 87 miles in length. I'm happy for people who like to bike and would be able to safely stay off the roads.

Last week, a friend and I walked one of the new portions of the trail that was just finished, for a total of 5 miles. It was overcast and 50 degrees and I actually wore ear muffs because I just can't take the cold wind. We parked at a golf course and headed out. None of these pictures are mine (I don't like to carry anything with me), but I thought I'd show you what it's like:

This is what it looks like in winter. Most of the path runs parallel to the main road, which is just a metropark road, so not very busy. I guess the broken green line is for cyclists. Rather than sneak up on you, they are supposed to shout, "Passing on your left." Even then, it can be startling if you don't hear them approaching.

A funny thing along the path are the stops signs on either side of people's driveways that cross over the path.  There must be a law that pedestrians must yield to cars on private driveways. I would think that most people walking have common sense to stop if they see a car barreling towards them. We disobeyed the signs and didn't stop, but if I was on a bike, I would have stopped and looked both ways.

I've walked on this part of the path a few times before. It takes you over the highway. It is always loud and windy, and I swear that the bridge shakes. I step up my pace!

 

 

I found this picture online, so I don't know why a truck is blocking the path. For me, this was the worst part of the trail because it goes under the turnpike. The lights like the one in the picture blink on and off. It was creepy and I would never walk it alone.

 

And this is what it will hopefully look like in the summer. Rather bucolic, isn't it? My friend saw a barred owl last month along the path. All we saw last week was a deer, which I suppose is exciting for someone that is not me!