Medina, Ohio

Here are our maps for the trip.  Thanks, Adventure Cycling mappers!

We left our house early this morning and headed straight to Little City Grill for a tasty breakfast.  Try the cranberry walnut french toast and you will not be disappointed.  Shout out to Bert and his excellent local eatery!

little city grill

Now we have plenty of energy for the ride!

There was some rain in the area, but we didn't get drenched.  It kept us cool on the backroads through Cuyahoga Valley and on to the quiet country roads leading into Medina County.  By afternoon the sun was shining and the temperature reached 80 degrees.

One of two Meridian Stones found in Medina.  These stones were lined up with the north star at midnight one night in (about) 1832.  Maybe.  It's a legend.  But, the stones were probably useful for early surveyors.

Medina had two devastating fires.  One in 1848 and another in 1870. Many buildings were lost to the fires and the town rebuilt as best it could.  The village did not create an organized fire department until a third fire in 1877.  One year later, this Town Hall and Engine House was completed.  This is a beautiful restoration of the building.  The first floor serves as a museum for local history.  Today is Monday and it was closed.  :(

A fine looking block of restored buildings

Savings Deposit bank building which is currently a restaurant.  That's the vault.  You need a reservation to eat at that table.  Much of the original bank building is intact, including the cool filigreed teller wall, and original safe deposit boxes (in the vault).  

This is a town with a nice public square and historic district.  www.medinasquare.org

Tomorrow we hope to ride all the way to Malabar Farm- about 65 miles.  There is sunshine in the forecast, so I am hopeful for a great second day of riding.  

I love the window decoration on the firehouse

Our first day's ride: