They say you can't go home. That saying has appeared everywhere over the years, even in a Bon Jovi tune. Well, here's what's going on. My son has decided to go to the University of Northern Ohio, and I grew up not far from there around Fort Wayne, IN. So, in order to tour the campus, I made the trip back home. What happened? We loved the college, I got to see some amazing old friends that I hadn't seen in decades, and I learned a lot.
When I lived the first half of my life in Indiana, I didn't like the view. It was all about corn, soybeans, wheat, and flat. I moved to the east coast where we have hills, mountains, waterfalls, and ocean. It's vastly different. But, is vastly different entirely a good thing? I began to wonder when my son and I headed down Route 30 to go to Fort Wayne. That was the first gigantic wind farm that we encountered. The wind turbines stretched across the massive farm land for miles. You won't find that in Connecticut. As far as I know, my state has three of these turbines, and there was at one point a law that there couldn't be wind turbines in our area, because they make too much noise. I was blown away at how progressive Ohio is, since New Englanders pride themselves on being progressive.
There are things that haven't changed in my lifetime. There are still tires being made in Findlay, there are still drive through liquor stores. But, unlike many other states, Ohio is extremely progressive. Did you know that a parent can actually take their adult child that is not quite 21 to a bar? It's an interesting way to make drinking less of a forbidden fruit. I like it. While the state wrestles with the same issues as many others like health care costs and insurance and taxes; they also find solutions to issues. Cities are cleaning up, and bringing in business. There are lots of places looking for help. It's a productive view that you see when you drive by. There is a sense of hope in Ohio. I liked it.
Not only did we enjoy a visit to The Waffle House and Bob Evans, but the staff in the restaurants were happy. Haven't seen a whole lot of that in a while. Most wait staff that I encounter around my home, are miserable and think that they deserve better. The folks I met on that trip were happy to do their jobs. They were a pleasure to be around. I tipped extra well too. And they said "Thank you very much." I enjoyed that. I had a feeling that I had gone to another country while I was there.
There were many other things that I loved about Ohio. They have a lot of race tracks for all kinds of racing. They have amazing amusement parks. They have great sports teams. They have air museums, Amish communities, and Cleveland. They have wind power and solar power and Menards for everything else. I guess you really can't just go home. My home town was not in good shape, and nothing much in the Midwest was the way I left it.
When I left the Midwest, everything was a bit dumpy, and it was called the rust belt. What I saw when I went back, was a rejuvenated productive and progressive Midwest with a future and hope. What I saw was an entire population of people doing great things and making their lives better. The sunsets are still beautiful in the giant sky, but the people are really doing well. It was a pleasure to go home.
I didn't really want to leave and go back to my current home, but I had to get back. On the way home, I discovered the one thing that I never knew about Ohio. They have the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I had no idea that there was a national park outside of Cleveland. They have a lot of hiking trails, and we stopped off at Brandywine Falls. It's a beautiful waterfall right off the toll road. We walked around a bit and found some great views.
And last, but not least, I got to drive across the old route 8 bridge over the Ohio Turnpike. Why is that special? well, I've made this drive a hundred times, and I always knew when I was officially leaving or entering the Midwest when I drove under that bridge. This was the first time I've driven over it.
Cedar Point, King's Island, the Browns, the Indians,the Reds, the Cavaliers, the Bengals, astronauts, Tony Stewart Racing, Cooper Tires, Cuyahoga National Park, and so much more are waiting in Ohio. It's not like it was when it was my home. It's so much better. Find it here. Ohio. Enjoy!
https://ohio.org/
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