On to Akron

 May 6, 2022

Dalton, Ohio to Akron, Ohio

43.2 wet miles 

Meet our warm showers hosts, Lois and Larry Ramer.  They are a generous and kind couple who enjoy growing beautiful flowers and visiting with cycle tourists.  Lois has an extensive collection of perennials and a business called "Cottage Garden Perennials."  She grows and then divides many many varieties and sells plants at her roadside stand.  

Larry has dedicated some time in his retirement to creating a cyclist's oasis on a corner of his property.  His home is at the top of a hill on a roadway section of the Ohio to Erie trail.  He has placed a bench beneath a shade tree and surrounded it with some of Lois's flowers.  He offers free camping in his yard to traveling cyclists who contact him through the warm showers App.  If it fits their schedule these folks also cook a delicious breakfast and pause to share a meal with their new cycling friends.  

Lois cooks us a yummy breakfast and then we hang out and get to know our hosts a bit better.

The rain falls all morning, but by noon-ish we are ready to hit the road.  We do not have many photos from the day because it's grey and rains off and on.  Fortunately, we all have good raingear.  Here we are heading for the Sippo Valley Trail which begins in Dalton and ends in Massillon.  

We have to make it to Akron tonight where we are again staying inside.  It is in the 50's now and will be in the high 40's by evening.  Camping out seems like a terrible idea.  

Grey Ohio skies

Akron is looking good.  The portion of the trail that leads to and proceeds through the city is well marked and well maintained. 

By the time we arrive at the hotel, we are cold and ready for a shower.  We are sharing a room tonight  It is graduation day at University of Akron and there is only one room available.  The panniers are covered with grit and mud since most of the trail today was unpaved.  Tom and Steve set up an assembly line pannier cleaning station in the shower so we don't mess up the carpet too much.  

We decide on dinner at Luigi's.  Luigi's restaurant has been an Akron landmark since 1949.  The original owner's grandson is running the restaurant today which is famous for its lasagna, meatballs, pizza and hometown atmosphere.  The best part is the bread that keeps showing up on our table.  And all the pasta.   If you find yourself in Akron, Ohio, you should definitely have a meal at Luigi's.  

Tomorrow we will ride mostly in the National Park to Cleveland.  Strong headwinds are predicted, but maybe the sun will shine?  A girl can dream.