Sometimes I think about what it would be like to live in other parts of the country, sometimes I think that it would be better to live somewhere warmer, more populous, or just generally “nicer,” – whatever that means.

However, every now and then, I am blissfully reminded of just how beautiful the Midwest can be, and it soon becomes clear why it sucks people in. The old saying of “you never leave Ohio” becomes painfully real – and all it takes is a brisk walk through the canal system on a warm summer evening.

There is a lot to hate about Ohio. The brutal winters, the stuffy humidity, and the rainstorms that seem to pop up at the worst possible times. But there is also a lot to love about Ohio.

Ohio is a place where family and friends rule, the people are tough, and the scenery is a hidden beauty that only certain people will ever see. Sure, it’s not the rolling beach, forests of palm trees, or rolling sands of the Southwest. But it’s Ohio, it’s ours, and it really isn’t that bad when you just open your eyes.