Diamond Jubilee: on the lake and river, Cleveland

Lakewood Park

West of downtown are lovely suburbs built on the bluffs overlooking Lake Erie. AQ had visited before and said they provided great views of the Cleveland skyline. In no time at all, we were at the turn off from the main road looking for Lakewood Park. The park is substantial and provides lake overlooks as well as steps down to the water's edge where there were some good views back toward the city.

The park itself was not spectacular, but its situation was perfect. I tried to imagine what it was like to grow up in that area. A 50s suburb transplanted next to Lake Erie, the place felt like some old TV program should have been set there.

Yet again, I thought growing up in and around Cleveland, in spite of all the negative press about the city these days, must have been an overall good experience. My university friend BWD is from the suburbs of the city and eventually moved back and is living the rest of her life there - very happily. I truly could understand why.

Cuyahoga River

We drove back to the city as AQ knew of a coffee house that he wanted us to experience (we were both huge coffee fans). We found it down by a developed portion of the Cuyahoga River under one of the huge bridges crossing it. Parking was not easy, but we eventually got a space. Unfortunately, we both misread a sign (it was raining, we didn't want to get wet, and we were in a rush, so we didn't pay close attention). A's car ended up being towed. It was not a great way to end the day (not to mention the rain). AQ called an uber to take us back to the hotel.

As for the riverside, it provides close-up views of massive ships headed to and from the lake laden with cargo. The place felt more like a seaport (it actually is). I was in shock over the size of the boats and only then understood why the bridges had been built so high above the water.

June 2021

The next day AQ retrieved the impounded car and paid a hefty fine. He felt embarrassed and I felt bad. It was the only part of the visit to Cleveland that went poorly.

In good news, he decided to travel with me for a few days (and we could use his car) to explore some of Ohio. In spite of being towed, we had a great time in Cleveland, and he was on a break from his studies (it was summer). We were both up for some adventure (as we had experienced in Saudi Arabia).

The rest of Ohio waited for us.