Trip down the Cuyahoga River

Saturday night we took a ride down the Cuyahoga River. You know, the one that caught on fire years ago. It takes us an hour to get there on the boat. It was sweltering. From the moment we stepped onto the boat we were dripping wet. The bimini top works but not for humidity. Once we got onto the lake, the wind gave some relief but little. It wasn't until David opened up the front window that the trip became tolerable. When we arrived, the bridge was just going down. Two trains and a half hour passed before we were able to enter the river from the lake. The first thing you see is Shooters. It is the one of the few businesses in the Flats now. It was hopping. Boaters often tie off to have lunch. We need to do that some time. The Nautica party boat was up a bit futher. Too early for her to be out. I was kicking myself as we passed The Q for forgetting my camera because rarely do you see the buildings of Cleveland so perfectly. The Main Avenue bridge has netting all over it. It has a metal deck so we weren't sure what was falling. David worked on that bridge 15 years ago. He said it falling apart shortly after it was redone. A product of the lowest bidder. The first thirty minutes there is a lot to see. There were some monuments to a poet and a log cabin to honor those who come in pursuit of happiness. Then you hit a curve. The graffiti marks the spot where industry came to die. The sea walls are falling into the water. There are cleats everywhere but nowhere to go once you tie off. You can see the skeleton of what had once been a very busy industrial shipping route. Defunct bridges and machinery rusted and covered in the surrounding foliage make us wonder if Cleveland is in fact dying. So much wasted waterfront property. A gold mine much like Lake County's underdeveloped shoreline. St. Ignatius must have their rowing practice there because we saw their marked trailer as well as colorful boasting on the bridge. We cruised for 45 minutes before turning back. Next time we intend to go further eventhough there doesn't appear to be anything to see. On the way back the sun was going down. The night seems to energize the city. The music from the Nautica Queen set the mood. Shooters had an 80 ft. yacht docked. It was a beauty. The Nicky D I believe. Must be nice. :)

One train over the bridge on the way out. Only minutes this time before we were on our way. The trip home was so smooth I almost fell asleep.