296: A ride to Kent
Posted: July 16, 2011 Filed under: 365 Life in the Bogs Challenge, Adventures in art, Adventures in Life, Air, Bicycle Adventures, Earth, Fire, food, friends, goals, Healthful Living Plan, home, Local Tourists, nature, Photography, pond, Spirit, Summer, water, weather | Tags: Akron Ohio, cycling, Kent, Photography, postaday2011 17 CommentsI’ve been keeping busy since my last post. Friends who were on their way to Chicago from eastern Pennsylvania arrived early yesterday evening. M and I took them to Akron where we celebrated happy hour at 69 Taps, listened to a Blues Brothers tribute band (The Alabama Blues Brothers) at Lock 3, and had grilled cheese sandwiches at The Lockview (where they specialize in grilled cheese sandwiches). After all that fun, we came back to Breezy Acres and sat on the deck for a little while enjoying the night sky, the fireflies, a small glass of J’s homebrewed beer, and the good company.
We had a lovely pancake breakfast this morning and after our friends left to continue their journey west, M and I loaded the bikes on the car and went to a place called Towner’s Woods in Kent. Towner’s Woods is a 175-acre park with a mix of forest, wetlands, and meadows. M and I used to hike there frequently when we lived in Kent. It’s been a long time since we’ve been out that way, although we did come close on one of our first bike rides.
We didn’t go to Towner’s Woods to hike. We went to ride our bikes on the Portage Hike and Bike Trail. It’s another very warm (upper 80s) day here in the Bogs so we got a relatively early start.
Because we’d had a late night, I really wasn’t up for a long bike ride. However, once we got started it felt so good to be exercising that we decided to stretch the ride out a little more than originally planned. We only did 6 miles total, but I wasn’t sure I’d do 2 miles when M suggested we go.
The trail runs along an old interurban railway line. It will eventually hook up with the Summit Bike & Hike Trail (parts of which we rode on, starting in Akron, a month or so ago). The ride is fairly easy as there are few hills. We did notice the slight decline on the first part of the ride (which meant a slight incline coming back).
The trail is lined with all sorts of wildflowers in bloom. There were blues, purples, yellows, whites, reds, and pinks. I took a few photos of the flowers, but I rushed through it and nothing came out well. As a side note, my camera seems to have fixed itself overnight. Huzzah! And another Huzzah! for my new computer which will be coming home tomorrow.
We rode as far as we could. There is construction going on in Kent, almost 3 miles from Towner’s Woods, and that seemed like a good place to turn around.
Back at Towner’s Woods I took a short walk on one of the trails to take some photos. I’ll bring you those tomorrow. The light in the woods was wonderful.
We stopped by Natural Abundance (the CSA we’re trying out) on our way home from our bike ride, where we picked up another box of fresh veggies. We spent a little time getting some of the veggies prepared for serving or cooking as we do a better job of eating fresh produce when we prep what we can as soon as we bring it home. It makes it more convenient.
We did a pretty good job of eating most of what we picked up last week. We decided not to get so many greens this time around since I have plenty of Swiss chard growing in the garden and we still have some collard greens leftover from last week’s haul. The “new” food for us this week is endive. I haven’t yet figured out what I’ll do with it.
So endeth today’s outdoor adventures. Stay tuned for another episode coming your way sometime tomorrow. 😀
Love the Queen Anne’s lace shot and the giant dandelion. Beautiful day!
Thanks, Carla. 🙂
Next time you go may I come too? Lovely photos as usual and am glad you enjoyed your day.
Thank you, Judith. You’re welcome to join me anytime. 🙂
Your idea to prep your produce as soon as you get it home is good one. We need to try that here on 4th Street!
Hope you have a lovely Sunday and enjoy getting your new computer back!
Kathy
Thanks, Kathy. Wishing you a lovely Sunday, too. 🙂
That Queen Anne’s lace picture sure is pretty!
How far are you from Chicago? Might have to stop by next summer and see if you have any of those pickles left 😉
I think about a six hour drive, Michaela, but I’m not sure. It’s been a while since we drove out that way. Come on by. We’d be happy to have you and your family visit us in the Bogs. My home becomes an unofficial Bed & Breakfast during the summer months. I bet we’ll still have some of those pickles too. 😀
Hmmm…. plans are to go back to the same place next year, that we went to this year, and a little detour to The Bogs would be a possibility. Of course it’s also possible that we’ll change our minds and vacation somewhere else! We shall see 🙂
Did I miss something? I thought you already got a new computer? I was away for the weekend so I am a bit behind on my post reading; I didn’t realize you had a camera issue either. I’ll have to read some more posts I missed!
All has been resolved, Karma, so don’t worry about catching up. The new computer had a little melt down but has been fixed and returned to me. The camera somehow fixed itself (or magic elves came in and fixed it overnight). I hope you had a great weekend! 🙂
these photos are lovely, looks like perfect weather to be outside
Thank you, Chloe. It was a great day. 🙂
Great pictures all around.. I am partial to the black eyed Susan though… 🙂
Thank you, Elizabeth. Me too. 🙂
I really enjoy going on these walks with you!! Thanks much for sharing.
Thank you for joining me, Derrick. I’m glad you enjoy them. 🙂