What an incredible day. The hills were grueling but considering the states ahead of me to end this project, it was time to get used to them again. Weather was perfect and feet held up nicely. A couple miles from my destination here at Hillside Park campground I stopped to talk to a Dan Keller who was out doing yard work and flagged me down. A retired firefighter, retired military, business owner and still working a zillion other jobs while waiting for his upcoming 60th birthday. We had a nice chat and his easy going personality and huge smile definitely lifted my spirits as I set out to finish the day. A few moments later he pulls up behind me with his truck and the cutest beagle/pug puppy. Since I was so close to the finish he wanted to show me some of the local things I might miss by going directly to the campground. Best decision of the day was joining him! First, he took me to an area called Rogues Hollow. Back in the coal mining days it was a rough and tumble area lined with taverns and inns for the miners. He showed me where Jesse James supposedly has money hidden, and the infamous Crybaby Bridge where legend has it at night you can hear the baby that drowned there crying if you get too close to the water. We went to a park created to celebrate the old coal mining days and saw some awesome things there, too. I forget the name of it. All this stuff was within a 1/4 mile of where I was walking, but I never would have known it, on the road I was on. He tells me we have one more stop. Its almost directly behind my campground. Its the Memorial Park for Ohio Veterans. Dan had yet to come over to it himself, so bringing me gave him the excuse. We also talked to a man there who lived only 2 miles away that hadnt been and now cant believe he hadnt. This park was huge, powerful, and by far the most amazing one Ive seen. Thus far on this trip. Dan and I both left in tears. Looking into the park you see the Vietnam Wall with all the soldiers names from Ohio. As you get closer you see the trinkets and notes left by their loved ones. What you dont realize is on the other side is the same thing with all the other wars listed and the heros names underneath. Throughout the park there are benches and stones commemorating soldiers, events etc. The POW memorial with the flame burning took our breath away. There just was so much...I cant find the words here and the pictures posted here cannot do it justice. all I can say, if you are ever even close to NE Ohio. Visit the Memorial Park in Clinton. At the very least, try to find the website. Dan enjoyed the tour today about as much as I did and seemed to like company as much as I did :). He asked if Id like to go to breakfast in the morning before setting back out and I accepted. We are going to go back to the Memorial Park in the morning, too. We thought it would be a good idea to appreciate it without trying to control a dog and also while not reeling from the shock of it. Im looking forward to it and with 17 miles to walk tomorrow to Canton it will def give me a lot to reflect on. The campground is beautiful, the people are super nice. Im in a good place..literally and figuratively.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 21:51:12 +0000
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