You know, I’m a pretty lucky dog. I get to go for walks in all kinds of places. I’ve walked on plenty of trails in Wayne County and even the fairground a few times. I’ve traveled with my family to places as far as Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Yet in recent months I have basically stayed local to Wooster. But my mom and creator of this blog, Wendi, has had in her head for the past several weeks that she needed to go by a lake or something. She had suggested to my dad, Bobby, that a trip to neighboring Medina County would be good. I’m like, “Yeah, let’s go!”
Mom thought that going to Chippewa Lake would be fun. We even had a picnic ready to go one day a couple of weeks ago. But we never made it because of a rain storm. In fact, we had been heading that way when the weather forecast caused us to turn around. Luckily we still went to Oakhill Park (my favorite) and got a walk in before it started raining.
However, Mom is like a dog with a bone when it comes to an idea she has. So this week she decided we were going to try again to go to Chippewa Lake. I’m like, “Yeah, let’s go!” So Dad agreed. This time without a picnic, we left to explore this Chippewa Lake.
But something funny happened on the way. I’m in the back of the car, minding my own business checking out the surroundings when Mom takes a left off of Friendsville Road. She had seen a sign for Killbuck Lakes. Mom admitted to seeing the sign before, but had never tried to investigate where the lakes were. Dad said that we could check it out and I was like, “Yeah, let’s go!”
We pulled into the west entrance and parked. There was a place where you could put your boat in the water, Dad called it a boat ramp. I guess you can take a fishing boat that doesn’t have a motor unless it is electric or a kayak or canoe. That isn’t my kind of thing, so I wasn’t too interested.
Mom was amazed that the place existed. She had grown up in the nearby village of Lodi and had never even knew the place was there. But right there before our very eyes was this big lake. Even better for a dog like me, was a trail that went around the lake. (Mom found out later that it had been the quarry and in 2017 had been converted to the park.)
As Mom got her walking gear on, I was going crazy in the car. I love walking. I love exploring. And I love it even more when I’ve never been to a place before. She could not move fast enough for me. I could hardly keep my tail from wagging me!
When she finally got everything situated, I jumped from the car and started pulling her toward the trail. Dad said the trail was 1.25 miles. All I saw was that it was going to be fun.
We took the loop around the lake clockwise. It was a really beautiful day. It was sunny, but not too hot. (Mom hates it when it is hot.) There was even a nice breeze blowing. I know, cause Dad mentioned it. For a beagle-terrier like me, I’m mostly concerned with the smells. And boy were there plenty of smells!
The path that we walked was rustic, not asphalt, but was pretty wide. It looks like the people that care for the park (Mom said it was Medina Park District people), do a good job. There was even some places where gravel was on the path. I bet that is supposed to help with keeping the path in place or something.
The loop around the lake was really cool. Every so often there were signs explaining about butterflies. Mom said it might be a butterfly sanctuary. I don’t know what that means, but I did see several different color of butterflies around. I think there is plenty of food for them at Killbuck Lakes.
At one point, me and Mom made Dad a little nervous. There was this tiny little trail that led to the waters edge. Actually there had been a few other ones. We would go down the little trails and turn back around, since you really couldn’t get to the water. But the one that made Dad nervous, was one with a little bit of a beach. I had to jump down to get to it. Dad was not pleased with me. But he was even more concerned when Mom decided to follow me.
What made matters a little worse for Mom and me was that it wasn’t going to be easy getting back on the trail. So with me leading the way and Dad stuck back on the loop, Mom and I headed down the side of the lake. It was a little soft and muddy. I don’t know about Mom, but I was a little concerned that we would be getting our feet wet in the lake.
Thankfully we made it to another small beach area with a gradual incline back to the path. The only problem with was there was no trail for us to follow. The grass was really high and I’m a little dog. Plus, I was tethered to Mom, so I had to find a way that both of us could get through. I’m not one to be deterred very easily, so I made us a path to get back to Dad. Needless to say, both me and Mom were on a much shorter leash, so to speak, from that point on. Dad would call me back from following a similar path. Even Mom was a little more hesitant to venture far off the 1.25 mile path.
It all worked out because there was still plenty of things for me to smell and investigate. Mom seemed to like to find places for us to sit down. It was nice to find several benches along the way for people to sit. I bet some might even fish from there. I guess you can fish all day, if that is your kind of thing. They do have limits of how many fish you can take home with you. You can catch 3 bass a day and 30 crappie. I don’t know what those are, other than fish. I’m not too much for fishing.
By the time we got around the whole lake, my little legs were tired. I think Dad was too. We were all glad to sit down in the car. Then it was off to get lunch and take it to my grandparents in Lodi. Since we were so close, it made complete sense to stop by for a visit. Anyone who knows me, knows I love hanging out with my grandparents!
After everyone ate, I let Mom and Dad know that it was time to go home. It is clear that even though we didn’t make it to Chippewa Lake, we found another great place that makes all of us happy. It’s close to home and the trail is mostly flat for Dad. It’s by water for Mom. And it’s full of wonderful things to smell for me! Thank you Killbuck Lakes. I’m glad I got to meet you!
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