Cure For Cabin Fever
Walking in the woods in wintertime can be as uplifting as during any other time of the year.
Like most of us this winter, I have spent a good deal of time in the house, unable to do the things that I like to do outside. There's only so much cleaning, dusting, and rearranging of items on shelves and in drawers that one can do. I try and get out to various places and engage in as many activities as I can, but I just miss the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. It's not as if I hate the winter; in fact, there are few sights as beautiful and peaceful looking as snow covering everything in a gorgeous blanket of white. Problem is, at my age and with an artificial hip as well, I can't risk walking around my neighborhood with all of that ice and snow.
Thank goodness for the Metroparks! On February 13, I went to the area near Big Creek between the Snow Rd. Picnic area and Stumph Rd. The upper path along the road was plowed rather nicely, making it very easy to walk along safely and enjoy the wonderful sight of the trees, and squirrels and other wildlife busy with their winter activities. The lower path, near the creek, is especially enjoyable. While it is not plowed, there is a clear path made by the many people who choose to walk along it. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the new wooden bridge built to cross the creek with paths that connect to the Greenbriar Commons Area in Parma Heights. Not only is it a wonderful way to glimpse the natural area, but it is also a practical way to have access to the commercial district if you live in the area on the other side. Before this, if you wanted to walk over there, you needed to walk all the way to Stumph Rd., cross the bridge there, and make your way all the way back. Hooray to the person or persons who finally thought of this obvious solution.
As I walked along on my return journey, I thought of long ago when I would walk along this same path, sometimes with my father. I was much younger then, and so many memories come back to me from that time. The Metroparks have always been here since I've been alive, and they just keep getting better. I wonder if people in the Greater Cleveland area realize what a genius William Stinchcomb was, the man who envisioned the Emerald Necklace 100 years ago. Few places have such a planned system of park lands encircling the whole of their cities. Believe me, they are an awesome cure for cabin fever, especially after a winter like this one. I can't wait to walk there in the Spring, when a whole new set of sights will amaze me.