This Midwestern Life

The first time I saw the word "metropark" it was above the entrance to an indie/urban/hip-hoppy over-priced clothing store that had just opened in a mall in California. Metropark became one of my favorite stores to haunt because of their awesome clearance racks.

Imagine my surprise when I moved here and the locals boasted about the wonderful and well-maintained Metroparks Cleveland has to enjoy. A collection of 16 reservations totaling in 22,000 acres of bike trails, fishing spots and nature centers. The Cleveland Zoo is included in that total.

Wait...what? These are actual parks like with trees and bugs? But I wanted to buy a trendy hat and some over-sized hoop earrings. I'm sure some people must like these actual "Metroparks".

David does. He likes to fish and so does his coworker Jay. Often times after work they will fish in one of the parks just 30 minutes down the freeway. I have been to the park a few times but yesterday was the first time I went while they fished. The park really is a beautiful piece of land and every time I go I am impressed with its vastness. There is a marina and a multi-use trail that some of the bikers refuse to use because of the walkers. So the bikers use the street and get in the way of the cars which angers David and Jay.

David didn't catch much. At least nothing to write home about to the fishermen he left in So-Cal. David and Jay both caught little fish but threw them back. We saw some carp and lots of geese. It was like a ride at Disneyland but real. Next month I am supposed to go camping with Jay and Emmy down in Southern Ohio somewhere. That should be a real adventure with even more fishing and less civilization! God help me.