331: Hazy, not so lazy, days of summer

We started the day here in the Bogs with some thick, soupy fog.  I could not see the pond at all for a little while.

Rowboat and lake rake shrouded in fog

The fog burned off by about 10:00am.  I should have taken the tripod and gone out to take some photos but the most I felt like doing this morning was to stand on the deck and snap a few pictures.  I think the camera and I are in need of a short vacation from each other.  We’ll get one soon, when this commitment is over.

On the Bike and Hike Trail near Munroe Falls

This seems to be the time of year for check-ups and maintenance.  My visit to the doc yesterday was not as good as I’d hoped.  I see her again in three months and have decided I will Wow! her with my numbers.  She’ll be so impressed that she’ll want to publish a paper about my miraculous downward trend in those numbers that mean so much to the medical community when it comes to gauging health and wellness.

The requisite giant flag flying over the car dealership

M and I took the car over to Kent (to the dealership) for some maintenance (oil change and whatever goes with that).  Most folks sit in the customer lounge for a few hours waiting for their car.  M and I make an outing of it.  Last time, we left the car and walked over to Kent where we strolled along the river for a while and then had lunch at Wild Goats Cafe.  It was a nice way to get some exercise and a healthy meal.

Cuyahoga River near Munroe Falls

This time we took our bikes and went for a ride on the Bike & Hike Trail in Summit County near Munroe Falls which parallels, in part, the Cuyahoga River.  The photo above was taken where the dam used to be.  The Munroe Falls dam was originally built of wood in 1817.  It was rebuilt with masonry in 1903.  Because of water quality problems, the Ohio EPA required the Munroe Falls community to lower or remove the dam.  Initially the plan was to lower it, but it was revised to remove it.  A natural ledge, the original Munroe Falls, was discovered with the removal of the sandstone blocks.  The blocks have been used to make amphitheater seating in the park.

Cooling off in the river

We rode a grand total of 8.4 miles in about 70 minutes.  It was a pretty good ride with some pretty good hills.  Nothing major, but enough that my legs were tired and shaking when we finished.  As usual, we started out with a steady downhill and finished on a steady uphill.  It’s becoming a habit with us, starting out easy and working for the finish.

Sunlight on the river

My bike was having some difficulties with shifting gears (it would skip and make all sorts of noises) so after picking up the car we took the bike over to Eddy’s Bike Shop (where we purchased it).  The folks there were, as always, extremely helpful.  They had my bike looked at and fixed in less than 30 minutes.  Most impressive.  I thought for sure we’d have to leave it for a few days, especially since today is a Saturday, probably one of their busiest days.

For lunch we stopped off in Kent at Taco Tontos, a place we had heard about but hadn’t visited yet.  I am so glad we finally did.  M and I both had burritos.  I got the rice and beans burrito and M decided on the sweet potato and bean burrito.  We were both extremely happy with our choices.  If you’re in Kent, forget Chipotles.  Go to Taco Tontos instead.  You won’t regret it.

Hot air ballon in a hazy sky

It’s been hot and hazy today.  The air quality is poor because of a lack of wind.  Breezy Acres has not been so breezy the past day or two.  That will be remedied with a cold front that is expected to move through tonight.

Time to relax

Well, I think I’ll hop in the pedal boat and make my way out to the swim platform.  I don’t plan on swimming.  I’m going to go sit and relax, dip my feet in the water, and listen to the sounds of people pounding on metal.  The county fair starts this week.  That means a number of folks in the neighborhood are getting ready for the demolition derby portion of the fair.  Getting ready somehow involves lots of pounding on metal.  I’m not sure if they’re taking out the dings and dents or putting them in.  Whatever the case, hopefully they’ll be taking a dinner break soon and I won’t really have to be serenaded by metal hitting metal.

Thanks for dropping by the Bogs today.  I hope your Saturday was filled with fun.  🙂

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