Independence, OH

Ohio

June 2025

Driving to Independence, OH

Shortly before 11 am, we were packed again and ready to drive to Independence, OH. We had a smooth drive with beautiful, sunny weather, crossing two state lines: Pennsylvania and Ohio. The closer we got to our destination, the more traffic we experienced and the more boring the landscape became. Near Cleveland, we got stuck in traffic for a little bit. Still, we arrived on time at the Red Roof Inn hotel, and after unpacking, we sat down with a drink and a snack.

Two Runs in Cuyahoga Valley NP

When I woke up, the weather was pleasant, with sunshine, a gentle breeze, and cooler temperatures. It felt like Mother Nature invited me to start this perfect day with a tempo run.

So, after breakfast, just before 8 am, we drove to the Cuyahoga Valley NP to the Towpath Trail, which we had hiked before. I stuck to my planned 60-minute schedule and was pleased with the time I finished. It had been a long time since I could run a little over 5 miles in an hour! It was also the first time I had ever run in a National Park.

Two days later, I enjoyed another run in the park, around the same time with similar weather conditions. And again, I was pleased with my 12 min/mi pace for 65 minutes.

From Oregon to Ohio, Friends Reunited

We met in Hillsboro, OR, in 2018 through a Meetup event. After we moved, we stayed close with FaceTime and WhatsApp calls. This year, my friend made a big move back to Ohio, to the Cleveland area, where she grew up.

We spent our day together doing the fun things we used to do in Hillsboro: grabbing a coffee, doing a little shopping, enjoying lunch, and taking a walk at Acacia Reservation in Lyndhurst. For both of us, it was our first visit. This reservation was a hidden gem with well-maintained trails. The former golf course, now transformed into a nature park, felt like a green oasis.

With all our activities, the flew by, much too quickly; it was time for another goodbye. Not a goodbye for long, though, we already have our next call scheduled.

An Evening Stroll Through Historic Milford

On our last evening in Milford, CT, with an empty fridge and packed cooking tools, we drove downtown for dinner. We realized that we had only explored Milford near the hotel, while there was also a historical part.

So, after our delicious meal, we took a short, leisurely stroll through another charming town to soak up the atmosphere. It was clear the tourist high season had yet to start as the restaurant and street were pleasantly uncrowded.

A Final Stroll at Mondo Ponds Preserve

On our beautiful, crisp, and sunny departure day, I went for a last short hike in the area. Conveniently located near the hotel, I found the Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve trail’s entrance. This preserve got its name from the Mondo family, whose gravel excavation in the 1950s created the five tranquil ponds we see today. They are all fed by spring water and runoff from wetlands. Wandering through this beautiful, lush sanctuary for wildlife, it was easy to forget that I-95 was even close by.

A Smooth Journey North

Because our next destination was only a three-hour drive away, it was a huge help that we were able to check out late, around noon. We enjoyed a smooth trip under blue skies to Plymouth, Connecticut, easily crossing both the Rhode Island and Connecticut state lines.