In November, I lost my dad. I learned to appreciate the simple joy of being outdoors from him. As a child, I thought there was no greater adventure than the annual Old Man’s Cave winter hike.

My dad wasn’t thrilled about my move to Cleveland (from Columbus) - until he got a look at some of the Metroparks and later, at parts of CVNP.

He was very pleasantly surprised that so much natural beauty could be found in and around the city.

“Cleveland’s a lot nicer than I thought,” he said, more than once.

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I’m sure he gave me the “hiking gene,” even though he’d correct me and say “that’s just walking.”

Wherever he went, he wanted to explore along the way, to slow down and ponder what the land had to tell us, to skip stones or contemplate a cherry tree, or to exchange pleasantries with another hiker.

He was fairly adamant about wanting to return via a different route than the one he took out. (I’m certain that explains my preference for loops vs. out & backs.)

When my dad was in his 80s, he moved up to the Cleveland area to be closer to us. We were thrilled!

For years, he would explore the area, delighting in finding small parks tucked along the various routes his errands lead him on. Every couple of weeks, it seemed, he’d tell me, “I had lunch in a new park today.” He was thoroughly content to enjoy a sandwich and an apple at a picnic table with a pretty view.

Up until about his 93rd birthday, he walked about 2 miles a day. He remained fairly active for another year and a half after that.

I’m not a medical professional, but I’m certain that staying physically and mentally active is absolutely necessary to enjoying a long life.

A couple of weeks after he passed, I spent a morning visiting three of his favorite outdoor scenes: Tinker’s Creek Gorge and Bridal Veil Falls in Bedford Reservation, Brandywine Falls, and The Overlook Trail in the Cascade Valley area of Summit Metro Parks. Visiting those three spots didn’t comprise the longest hike or the maybe even the “best” of the year, but it stood out in a wonderful, memorable way, and it will stick with me for a long time.

Here’s to enjoying the simple things in life, including good friends, pleasant conversation, and spending time in the great outdoors, soaking up a pretty view.