We left the Kenisee Grand River Campground and headed west on Route 307. We
turned south onto 534 and ran parallel with the Harpersfield Bridge. It is a
covered bridge spanning the Grand River. It is a double-span Howe truss bridge,
one of currently 16 drivable covered bridges in the county. It is the third
longest covered bridge in Ohio at 228 feet. A flood in 1913 washed away the
land at the north end of the bridge, and the steel span was subsequently
attached. The bridge features a walkway, added during its renovation in 1991.
We passed through Windsor and saw many Amish and Mennonite families.
A large Amish community exists in Northeast-Central Ohio. I love to go through
any area where the Amish reside. I find it so amazing how they can maintain their
simple lives with all the modern technology around. That is something that
really fascinates me. I enjoy traveling behind a horse drawn buggy or seeing
them parked near a modern store or gas pump. 
We came into Mesopotamia (called Mespo by the locals) in
Trumbull County. The Mespo area is home to the 4th largest old order Amish
population in the world. While sitting in the gazebo or picnic shelter on the
green, you will see Amish horses and buggies, ponies pulling small carts, and
horses pulling open surreys. Amish families often gather at the End of the
Commons General Store, in which one can find necessary kitchen staples as well
as a deli counter, penny candy, books and gifts. The Amish participate with the
“Yankees” in the annual Ox Roast and Fall Heritage Days. Hopewell a Therapeutic Farm Community is located on a
300-acre farm in rural Mesopotamia, Ohio. They help adults with schizophrenia,
schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression and other forms of
serious mental illness. They believe that everyone can experience success, find
a life of purpose and feel hope. Founded by Cleveland native, Clara Rankin,
Hopewell accepted its first resident in 1996. Hopewell is one of a handful of
therapeutic farm communities in the country and the only one of its kind in
Ohio.
We went through West Farmington & Southington before turning
west onto Ohio 303. Windham was a sleepy town but not too sleepy, it has two
traffic lights, but no fast food restaurants. It had a Burger King, but it was
closed and converted into a Pharmacy. When we came into Freedom, we saw out
first Dollar General of the day and we have been on the road for a couple of
hours already. Missing all the commercial stuff, is another great thing about
taking these two lane adventures!
Streetsboro welcomed us. It is known as “The Gateway to
Progress!” The town is situated within 40 minutes of Cleveland, Akron and
Youngstown, and strategically located at the crossroads of 5 State Routes: Route
14, Route 43, Route 303, Route 480 and the Ohio Turnpike. Before it was Streetsboro,
it was part of the Connecticut Western Reserve. Before settlers moved into the
Connecticut Western Reserve, Seneca Indians traversed the area now called
Streetsboro. They used Old Portage Trail, to go from Lake Erie to the Ohio
River basin. The founder of Streetsboro was Titus Street.
This comment is for my friend, Patti Calandra … we went by
S&S Aggregate. They sell washed sand. What happens when you wash sand? When
I run water over sand, it disappears … it is one of those things that make you
go hhmmmmm?! I wonder if washed sand is more expensive than dirty sand?
Entering the town of Hudson, the Clock Tower is easily one
of the most recognizable landmarks in Summit County. The Clock Tower was a
vision of James W. Ellsworth. Born in Hudson in 1849, Ellsworth was a
well-known millionaire who made his money in banking. The 44 foot Hudson tower
was built in a traditional Romanesque style. Fountains were built on the north
and west side of the tower, one for humans and one for horses. Today the basins
are used as flower pots. In 2010, the city was named as one of the 100 Best
Communities for Young People by America's Promise. The award was based on the
city's "Community First" organization that was developed to combat
drug use, school dropouts and to promote better choices in the city's youth by
providing additional educational and cultural opportunities. The Little Tikes
Company was founded in 1970 and is still headquartered in Hudson. It has seen
growth in recent years, and it's growth that is attributed in large part to the
company's decision to manufacture more of its toys at its northeast Ohio plant
instead of overseas.
Case-Barlow Farm is in Hudson too. It is a nonprofit corporation
that purchased the famous homestead. The goal of the organization was to rescue
the farm and surrounding historic buildings from demolition by a housing
developer and securing the property for the future as an education and cultural
center. Because of the melding of restoration and community use, this Farm has
become a model for adaptive reuse. Today the Farm consists of a Farmhouse, Bank
Barn, Carriage House, and miscellaneous outbuildings situated on 4 acres and
surrounded by a 60-acre city-owned park called Barlow Farm Park. The Farm is
listed on the Ohio Historical Inventory, has received recognition by the Hudson
Historical Society and is designated as an official Underground Railroad site
by the Friends of Freedom Society.
The Metro Park Bike & Hike Trail is located just outside
Hudson. All 34 miles of the Bike & Hike trail are paved. It was one of the
first "rails to trails" conversions in the country. It follows the
course of the old Akron, Bedford & Cleveland (ABC) Railroad, which was the
longest electric railroad of its kind when it was built in 1895. Until service
was discontinued in 1932, riders could travel for 50 cents from Akron to
Cleveland’s Public Square in a few hours. The Bike & Hike Trail parallels a
scenic section of the Cuyahoga River where great blue herons, Canada geese and
a variety of ducks can be seen. A small pond along the north side of the trail
annually hosts a chorus of spring peepers. South of Boston Mills Road in Boston
Heights, the Sharon Conglomerate rock walls of the Boston Ledges rise along the
trail. Farther north, the trail travels along Brandywine Road and offers a view
of Brandywine Falls which, at 65 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in
Ohio.
Brandywine Creek flows into the "bridal veil"
cascades which form the start of the Brandywine Falls. It is within Cuyahoga
Valley National Park. There are wooden paths leading down to the waterfalls
viewing platform. An exhibit near the falls includes a photo of the waterfalls,
a map of the area, and a cross-sectional drawing of the rock. The rock layers
of the Brandywine Falls can be read like a book. Each chapter covers millions
of years. The rocks at the base of the falls were formed more than 400 million
years ago. The Cuyahoga Valley's waterfalls are among the most popular
attractions in the national park. Brandywine Falls is the centerpiece of the park,
but not its only source of interest. The Cuyohogue Valley National Park is a
refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discovery for
visitors. The winding Cuyahoga River gives way to deep forests, rolling hills,
and open farmlands. Walk or ride the Towpath Trail to follow the historic route
of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Stop and see Beaver Marsh, Boston Store Visitor
Center, the Canal Exploration Center, Everett Covered Bridge, the Frazee House,
or Ritchie Ledges.
Trapp Family Farm is also in the Cuyohogue Valley National
Forest. Mark Trapp, Emily Stefanak and his two horses, Doc and Dan, are working
a 28 acre farm. They are greenhorn farmers trying to reconstitute a 19th
century farmstead on federal land. They are in a 60-year lease through a
government program aimed at bringing back family farms in the valley, using
organic and environmentally sustainable methods. They grow organic vegetables,
herbs and more. Over yonder, the cattle, chickens and hogs are rooting and
pecking, growing into tasty meat while fertilizing the upper meadow with their
droppings.
Back at the house, fresh eggs are sold out of a front porch icebox. The
house was built in 1855, but there is no barn. Doc and Dan sleep in a big
plastic tent the size of a garage. This farm is the 11th one to come back from
the dead. At the end of the 19th century there were about 800 farms between
Akron and Cleveland, many of which were in the 22-mile-long Cuyahoga Valley. By
the middle of the 20th century, the farmers were gone, casualties of real
estate developers and giant agribusinesses. The new farmers -- some part-time,
some full-time -- are growing and raising a variety of farm staples, ranging
from alfalfa and grapes to goats and Christmas trees. None of the farms are
certified organic, but they are pesticide-free, and the farmers employ natural
methods that are healthy for the land, animals and consumers.
The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a multi-purpose
trail developed by the National Park Service, and is the major trail through
Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This trail follows the route of the historic
Ohio & Erie Canal, which connected the natural resources of the United
States interior with its markets on the eastern seaboard. From the trail you
can make connections to many of the natural and historic sites in the park and
to other trails that intersect it along the way.
Outside of the town of Peninsula, there were signs that said
“Quarry Swim.” There were gates that were locked. But the words quarry and swim
peaked my interest. After more research, I discovered The Peninsula Quarry is a
non-profit swim club nestled in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley. With a
relaxing atmosphere, the Quarry is the perfect place to cool off on a hot
summer day! The Quarry is fed by a natural spring and the water is very clean
and chlorine free!
Before we entered Richfield, we passed a very colorful
redwood stained building. There were colorful flags and streamers close to the
road. The sign indicated it was a Tibetan Buddhist Palyul Temple. Their mission
is to preserve the teachings of the Buddha, and in particular the Palyul
tradition. Palyul is one of the six mother monasteries of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded in 1665 by Rigdzen Kunzang Sherab in Derge, on the eastern edge of Tibet.
In Richfield the Kelly Miller Circus, America's One Ring
Wonder, was gearing up for their show later on Saturday July 26th. The
big top was set up behind Richfield Village Town Hall on Main Street. Seeing
this circus reminded me that Walker International Circus will be at the Hemlock
Fairgrounds on Monday August 4th for two shows.
Outside of Richfield, we passed a great antique or trinket
shop and another business that enjoyed showing off the old time signs. The exterior had many flowers, metal sculptures and creatures. There were
no relatives to Maynard or Maudine, but it never hurts to look!
Leaving 303 west we turned south onto 42 in Medina. Stay
tuned for part four of our two lane adventure!
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