The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Stroll is all about enjoying view, family
Quartet strolls through wildflowers at Lake Metroparks Skok Meadow
For one Lake County native and his family, Sept. 25 was the perfect day for a walk in the park, despite its overcast skies and the occasional drizzle.
Mason Martin, who is a U.S. Army medic with the 1-1 Air Defense Artillery unit stationed in Okinawa, Japan, spent part of his last day on stateside leave with his mom, Concord Township resident Robin Walker; brother, Ryan, also a Concord Township resident, and friend Claire Rehor from Fairview Park.
Together, the quartet strolled among the colorful wildflowers surrounding a trail at Lake Metroparks’ Skok Meadow in Concord Township — part of the park system’s Girdled Road Reservation located at 12415 Concord Hambden Road.
All four said the Skok Meadow property is a great place to visit and enjoyed their hike together Sept. 25.
“It really is a nice place to go for walks and hikes,” said Walker, who lives right around the corner from it. “When friends come to visit, we like to bring them here because it’s very pretty in all seasons.” Ryan Martin agreed. “It’s just where we go for walks in the park,” he said.
Rehor said it was her first time visiting the place and she came away with a pleasant first impression.
“It’s really nice here,” she said. “I like it a lot.”
Mason Martin, who has been away from home for 10 months, said he’s shipping back out to Okinawa on the morning of Sept. 26 and was happy to have had the
“That’s what really matters – being with your family. So, it’s just been really nice to get to be together like this.” — Mason Martin, U.S. Army medic with the 1-1 Air Defense Artillery unit stationed in Okinawa, Japan
chance to take it easy with friends and family while he was on leave.
“It’s just been really nice to be home and relax,” he said, adding that he enjoyed the break from Okinawa’s air.
“It’s, like, heavy,” he said of the atmosphere around the Okinawa Prefecture. “So the air is really nice here.”
Walker said the four were about to head back home and enjoy a special chili dinner - something her Army Specialist son doesn’t get on the island.
She added how good it’s been having him home.
“It’s nice to have just gotten the chance to spend time together. That’s what’s important,” she said. “FaceTime and the phones are nice. But it’s just so much better in person. There’s no substitute for that.” Mason Martin agreed. “That’s what really matters – being with your family,” he said. “So, it’s just been really nice to get to be together like this.”