Southern Tip of Lakewood
Today I traveled to what I think is the southernmost point in Lakewood. Ogontz connects with Riverside south of the highway just as Riverside is starting to curve southward and turn into Rocky River Drive. Across the street from that intersection is the West Park Cleveland Police and Fire Fighters Memorial. According to a plaque, “This memorial walkway and monument are set here above the valley to forever honor our heroes, the Cleveland West Park police officers and fire fighters who gave their lives in the line of duty”.
Several times I have participated in the 5 mile “Heroes Run” at St. Joseph Academy to honor these 17 police officers and 10 fire fighters. The opening ceremony and roll call that takes place before the run is always emotional. The run this year is on Sunday, September 15th and is a fundraiser for the Heroes Fund.
As I turned back to walk down Ogontz I noticed the familiar red brick road that I walked down when I completed Fischer a few months ago. Further down on the east side of the street was a home with two saucer-like swings in the front yard. I have passed several of these on my adventures, and I have been tempted to try them out. Then I thought about how hard it is for me to gracefully dismount our backyard hammock that is only 12 inches above the ground. I can’t imagine trying to get out of one of these.
