All aboard!

BJ newsroom retiree Tom Moore, who’s a conductor on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad every summer and former BJ sports editor Tom Giffen’s PR flak in Fort Myers for old-guys baseball every autumn, toots the horn for the Canal Exploration Center.

Tom’s pitch:

Took a tour of the new Canal Exploration Center and it was well worth it.
Formerly the Canal Visitors Center, 7104 Canal Road, Valley View, it opens to the public Saturday, May 17, from 10 to 4 p.m.

You can drive there but the best way to see all the great exhibits (hands on including navigating a boat through the canal) is to take a trip on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Coming from Akron, you'll see the beauty of our National Park, including a deer or two and the two eagles nesting in the Valley. Enjoy a meal from the concession car and relax to the hum of the rails.

When you get to the Center, deboard and it’s only a short walk to the Center and you’ll have an hour or so to view and play with the exhibits then catch the train on its return from Rockside. The train stays at Rockside for an hour or so,  and unfortunately there’s nothing to do except take a walk.

So as a park and train volunteer I hope to see you soon for and adventure in Ohio’s only national park.

The Cuyahoga Scenic Train is operating Friday through Sunday in May, every day except Mondays and Tuesdays in June through October.

Call (800) 468-4070 for details and/or to purchase tickets and make reservations.