{"id":6705,"date":"2017-07-11T07:05:41","date_gmt":"2017-07-11T11:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vweisfeld.com\/?p=6705"},"modified":"2017-07-25T07:29:55","modified_gmt":"2017-07-25T11:29:55","slug":"travel-tip-cuyahoga-valley-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vweisfeld.com\/?p=6705","title":{"rendered":"Travel Tip: Cuyahoga Valley National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Cuyahoga

photo: Cuyahoga jco, creative commons license<\/p><\/div>\n

If what springs to mind when you hear \u201cCuyahoga River\u201d are the images from 1969 when the highly polluted waterway actually burned, the long, narrow Cuyahoga Valley National Park<\/a> will be a more than pleasant surprise. Not only did the infamous fire prompt environmental legislation that led to a desperately needed clean-up of rivers nationwide, it got some folks thinking about the positive aspects of the river and the beauty of the valley through which it flows. Once nearly barren of fish and wildlife, it\u2019s now a thriving habitat.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m told the word Cuyahoga comes from a Mohawk Indian word for \u201ccrooked,\u201d and this river does indeed twist and turn repeatedly on its 85-mile journey, first southward, then north, eventually emptying into Lake Erie in the city of Cleveland. The Indians would make the eight-mile portage from the Cuyahoga to the Tuscarawas River for access to the Ohio, then the Mississippi and all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico.<\/p>\n

\"Brandywine

photo: David Fulmer, creative commons license<\/p><\/div>\n

What To Do There<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

As Europeans settled the area, the Cuyahoga become the waterway that enabled construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal between industrial Cleveland and tire-manufacturing mecca Akron. The meticulously maintained canal towpath is now a centerpiece of the park\u2019s offerings, well traveled by walkers and bicyclists.<\/p>\n

Also nestled in the valley is a historic train line, which runs the length of the park. From the train, you can not only appreciate the surrounding woodlands and adjacent villages, so removed from urban bustle, but you also may view wildlife. Passengers on our trip saw hawks, a young eagle, turtles, deer, and the tourists swarming the bicycle rental shop in the tiny town of Peninsula.<\/p>\n

The Park has nearly 125 miles of trails of varying degrees of difficulty for hikers, skiers, and horseback riders, camping options (we stayed at a ritzy B&B), canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, and lovely Brandywine Falls (pictured). We visited a huge marsh created when beavers were introduced into an area that was the former site of an auto salvage lot. A green heron visited when we did.<\/p>\n

\"covered

photo: Tim Evanson, creative commons license<\/p><\/div>\n

Villages incorporated in the park harbor interesting features: a covered bridge (closed in the evening for clog-dancing), huge farmer\u2019s market, canal locks, a ski resort, golfing, nature education centers, canal history, and the famous Blossom Music Center<\/a> concert venue. So near to major cities, on weekdays at least, it\u2019s a true getaway for all seasons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Distances:
\n<\/strong><\/span>Planning on a visit of a day or two or just a stopover when driving through, here’s how close you are when you’re in Cleveland: 24 miles, 36 minutes or
\nPittsburgh: 123 miles, two hours.<\/p>\n

Read-Along:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You can order any of these books through the Amazon affiliate links below (yes, I get a few cents if you do!):<\/p>\n