Day 25 - June 4, 2023. Massillon, OH - Akron, OH

A short and easy day today, so a relaxed start shortly after 9.  We were on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath almost all day, starting with this bridge over the highway before the Tuscarawas River.




Other than a bit of pavement here and there along the trail, this was the surface that we had.




The canal itself, where you could even discern where it was, is a little scummy although the lily pads were nice.  There was still evidence of some of the former locks.




I stopped in to the Canal Fulton Canalway Center.  There was a movie screen and chairs but, alas, the young pup working today was just filling in for a friend who was recovering from "grad" last night and this kid didn't have a clue about the movie or how to work it.  Oh well - took some pictures and expected to meet people at the creamery across the street.  Sadly we were too early; it wasn't open yet.













Watched this fine fellow for a while just before the SAG stop at 13 miles (Clinton).



A few locks remnants a bit further on, and more info signs.










Watched this heron wrestle with a fish for a while before swallowing it whole.



Came across Mo a bit further on watching a momma duck lead her 13 little ones through the quagmire. 


 Lots of info boards coming in to Akron.









This is Summit Lake, the high point of the canal.  Lots of history to this lake - too much to note here.



Akron has a long history of rubber and of tire manufacturing.  This old BR Goodrich factory is huge (and decaying).





Not the prettiest city, but I think they're trying.....  Out for lunch since we were in so early.  Last rest day of the trip tomorrow.............


Akron, Ohio

Population 190,469 (2020).  The population peaked around 1960 with just under 300,000 people living in the city.  In 2014 the median household income was $34,139.  About 27% of citizens were in poverty.  In addition to a long history of rubber and tire manufacturing, it was once known as a center of airship development.  At one time there were four major rubber/tire companies there:  BF Goodricb (1869), Goodyear (1898), Firestone (1900), General (1915).  As of the early 1990s only Goodyear was left.  The town was originally founded at the summit of the developing Ohio and Erie Canal.  In 1844, abolitionist John Brown moved to Akron.  The Summit County chapter of the Klu Klux Klan reported having 50,000 members, making it the largest local chapter in the country during the 20th century; yikes!  The K-12 school system was created here in 1847.  Both LeBron James and Stephen Curry are from here.


Stats for the day:

Distance:  51.3 km / 31.8 miles

Elevation (Garmin):  209m up / 205m down.  685' up / 673' down.

Elevation (RWGPS):  169m up / 175m down.  554' up / 574' down.

Weather:  16C - 29C.  Just lovely!  A bit of a headwind but it was such a short and easy ride that it didn't matter.



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