Last Sunday was a nice day, and for once Mer decided she could take some time away from grading. So, after 6 years of being at CVCA, and 2 months of being in the new home, we made the 3-mile drive to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Virginia Kendall Ledges Hiking Trail, or, around here, “The Ledges” for short. I had heard many good things about the Ledges, and I had even been to a senior’s graduation party at the pavilion at the Ledges, but I had never been on the trails.

The Ledges is a small park – the biggest trail is only about 2 miles long, but it does wind up and down and around lots of exposed rock. I don’t know why I like exposed rock, but I do. I don’t know why I like climbing around on or near rock, but I do (not actual rock climbing that would require some skill, mind you).

We (read “Matt”) decided to take a trail that would take us to the “Ice Box Cave,” only about 1/2 mile away from the parking lot. So, we struck out on a trail through the very pretty woods, and wandered into an area of rocks. We came to a junction in said trail, and, not seeing a sign for the cave, we turned right and kept wandering. While we did come to a fairly cool bridge, we never did find the cave. I assume that it was on the left-turn part of the trail, and we’ll have to catch it next time.

The park was like very many things in Ohio – pleasant. The exposed rock was not as high as some places I have seen (Vermont), and the bridge was not over such a spectacular stream as I have seen (Vermont), but it was a very nice way to spend 45 minutes on a Sunday evening. It should be very pretty in another few weeks once the leaves start to turn.