Can’t get enough of the outdoors? Well, you’re in luck, because I am just getting started with the blog posts on the green spaces CLE has to offer!
Figure 1. Microburst! Watch out for that tree!
I have to credit my husband Steve for finding my latest favorites: the Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Family Emergent Tower at the Holden Arboretum. This outing took some planning. We wanted to go on the weekend, but some of our weekends in August were filled with downed trees from high winds earlier in the week (Figure 1). Luckily, we heard in August that the Arboretum stays open late on Thursdays, so off we went after work.
Figure 2. The golden willow on Lotus Pond at the Holden Arboretum.
The Arboretum is located to the northeast of Cleveland in Kirtland near Mentor and Willoughby, Ohio. I was excited that we were driving towards Mentor. I hear of Mentor and their snow, but I had no idea where it was. Now I know!
The Arboretum is huge, sprawling across 3,600 or so acres of land devoted to special collections and gardens (Figure 2). The average visitor spends at least two hours there exploring the grounds (Figure 2). While I do love me a garden or two (to view, not to maintain, mind you), my interest was on the canopy walk and tower.
Figure 3. The Kalberer Family Emergent Tower and its many steps await you!
Both the tower (Figure 3) and canopy walk (Figure 4) require extra tickets when entering the Arboretum. Steve and I did the tower, and it was a workout! The tower is 120 feet above the ground and offers great views of the landscape (Figure 5). On a clear day, you can see all the way to Lake Erie. After catching our breath from the >200 steps, we then proceeded to the canopy walk, a 500 foot-long elevated walkway 65 feet off the ground.
Figure 4. The Murch Canopy Walk at the Holden Arboretum. Does this not look cool?
The canopy walk was a lot of fun (Figure 6). In all the excitement, I think we rushed through it. We didn’t realize it was one way, and I think a second loop around the canopy is frowned upon. Knowing this, next time, I am going to savor the experience as I tip-toe lightly in the trees.
Nota bene: After our visit, I realized that the Holden Arboretum recently merged with the Cleveland Botanical Gardens. Membership with one is good for the other. Duly noted.
Figure 5. A 360 view of all the flatness northeast Ohio has to offer!
Figure 6. “Believe it or not, I’m walking on air. I never thought I could feel so freeee. Flying away on a wing and a prayer, who could it beeee? Believe it or not, it’s just me!”
