A Memorable Visit to Independence, OH
Concluding Our Spring 2025 Travels

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 after the rain stopped. 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.

Our Red Roof Inn, Hemmes Approved, Adventures

We occasionally stay at Red Roof Inn hotels because this lodging chain offers affordable prices while providing clean and comfortable rooms. Additionally, our cat, Hemmes, is welcome at no extra cost, which is exceptionally welcoming. Here in Independence, the hotel was also conveniently located only 1 mile away from Cuyahoga Valley National Park and other sites we wanted to visit.
The evening before departure, I walked around in the hotel’s neighborhood to take another shot of the hotel. I wasn’t happy with the pictures I had made before: the weather had been either too cloudy, too rainy, or there were too many cars blocking the view. This time, the sky had cleared, and I finally could capture the hotel the way I wanted.
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A Safe Journey Home to Naperville, IL

At 9:30 am, we checked out and began the seven-plus-hour drive back to Naperville, IL. Our Spring 2025 travels concluded there, giving us a precious last week with family and friends before returning to the Netherlands. It had been a busy, however unforgettable, three months.