VACATIONS- BACK TO BASICS
Vacations don't have to be long elaborate affairs, that cost a fortune, take two weeks more to recover from and more than a year to pay for. When I was a child, (back in the olden days), family vacations were often mini road trips, where we visited interesting local places, took along a picnic, and came back with souvenirs that were sometimes no more than a special rock or piece of driftwood. It just might be a good idea to relive those "good old days" again.
I have run into people who have lived in the Heartland all their lives, and haven't visited interesting spots less than a hundred miles from home. This isn't unusual, and I'm sure that it's true of every state in the union. So, especially now, with gas prices rising, and the economy less than stellar, I thought that I would point out a few of the places close to home, (If you live in the Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pa, Mich., area), that can be explored in one or two days.
So, since I am from Ohio, I will start with the state that I am most familiar with- the state of Presidents.
LIGHTHOUSES!
One of my hobbies is lighthouses. There is something about a lighthouse with it's tall sturdy form and protective light that is constant and noble. Well- enough of that.
The coastline of Lake Erie has a wealth of lovely and diverse lighthouses, and a few years ago my family took a three day "day trip" around Lake Erie to visit all of them. We began at Toledo and continued east around the lake, across the Canadian side and back. We have plans somewhere down the road to do the same with all the other Great Lakes. Some of these lights are inaccessible, as they are out in the lake, and at least one, is a private residence, but all of them are worth a look.
As far as I am concerned, one of the best and loveliest traditional lighthouses anywhere is Marblehead Light, located in Ottawa county, Ohio, on the northernmost tip of Marblehead Penninsula on Lake Erie.
The planning of Marblehead Light began in 1819, when it was decided that this area was a danger to passing ships. William Kelly and his crew began the lighthouse in 1821. The light started out as a 50 foot tower made from brick, with limestone exterior. The limestone was quarried in the area and limestone from this same quarry was used to build the Empire State Building!
The first keeper of this lighthouse was a Revolutionary War soldier named, Benajah Wolcott, who served as a keeper there for 10 years. After his death, his wife Rachel became the first woman lighthouse keeper on the Great Lakes.
The Light has undergone several restorations, including raising the actual height to about 69 feet by adding more brick on the top to accomodate a newer light source, and adding stucco to the
exterior.
This is a truely lovely area. Surrounding the actual lighthouse are large slabs of stone, smoothed by the lake through the years, and containing numerous fossils. You can put out a lawn chair and put your feet in the water, or fish. There is also a good size picnic area, and porta johns.
The lighthouse itself is opened to the public on weekdays from 1:00pm to 4:45 pm, and on the second Saturday of June and July. The Wolcott house on the same property is opened to the public during the same hours.
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The coastline of Lake Erie has a wealth of lovely and diverse lighthouses, and a few years ago my family took a three day "day trip" around Lake Erie to visit all of them. We began at Toledo and continued east around the lake, across the Canadian side and back. We have plans somewhere down the road to do the same with all the other Great Lakes. Some of these lights are inaccessible, as they are out in the lake, and at least one, is a private residence, but all of them are worth a look.
As far as I am concerned, one of the best and loveliest traditional lighthouses anywhere is Marblehead Light, located in Ottawa county, Ohio, on the northernmost tip of Marblehead Penninsula on Lake Erie.
The planning of Marblehead Light began in 1819, when it was decided that this area was a danger to passing ships. William Kelly and his crew began the lighthouse in 1821. The light started out as a 50 foot tower made from brick, with limestone exterior. The limestone was quarried in the area and limestone from this same quarry was used to build the Empire State Building!
The first keeper of this lighthouse was a Revolutionary War soldier named, Benajah Wolcott, who served as a keeper there for 10 years. After his death, his wife Rachel became the first woman lighthouse keeper on the Great Lakes.
The Light has undergone several restorations, including raising the actual height to about 69 feet by adding more brick on the top to accomodate a newer light source, and adding stucco to the
exterior.This is a truely lovely area. Surrounding the actual lighthouse are large slabs of stone, smoothed by the lake through the years, and containing numerous fossils. You can put out a lawn chair and put your feet in the water, or fish. There is also a good size picnic area, and porta johns.
The lighthouse itself is opened to the public on weekdays from 1:00pm to 4:45 pm, and on the second Saturday of June and July. The Wolcott house on the same property is opened to the public during the same hours.
FAVORITE LAKE ERIE LIGHTHOUSES -OHIO
(west to east)
As long as we are traveling along the Lake Erie shore, two of my favorite places are, Catawba Island, and South Bass Island. Catawba is actual a peninsula in Ottawa County, that juts out into the lake and produces a beautiful drive, access to one of the ferries that take you to South Bass Island, and some good fishing and boat access locations.
South Bass Island is about 3.7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. It's a short trip across the lake by the Miller Ferry from Catawba Island, or the Jet Express out of Port Clinton and Sandusky.
South Bass Island is the home of the village of Put-in-Bay, Perry's Monument, commemorating the Battle of Lake Erie, the International Peace Memorial, and a winery.
You can travel around the island by car, bike, or on foot, but my favorite way is by rented golf cart.
There is also an airport on the island.
(west to east)
TOLEDO HARBOR LIGHT -1904-not accessible to visitors, but can be seen by boat or from the Toledo shoreline.
MARBLEHEAD LIGHT-(see above)
VERMILLION LIGHTHOUSE- 1877- The lighthouse and museum are located at the end of Main St., three blocks north of U.S. 6 in Vermillion, Ohio.
LORAIN LIGHT-1917- Can be seen from the municipal pier. Drive north from U.S. 6 on Oberline Avenue.
WEST PIERHEAD LIGHT (CLEVELAND)- 1910-Marks the entrance of the Cuyahoga river-
From I-90 in Cleveland, take the Highway 2 exit, go to Ninth Street exit and drive two blocks to the harbor parking area.
FAIRPORT HARBOR LIGHT-1825-Located between Cleveland and Ashtabula. Fairport, Ohio
ASHTABULA LIGHT- 1916-Can be seen from Point Park, near the intersection of Walnut and Hulbert Streets.
MARBLEHEAD LIGHT-(see above)
VERMILLION LIGHTHOUSE- 1877- The lighthouse and museum are located at the end of Main St., three blocks north of U.S. 6 in Vermillion, Ohio.
LORAIN LIGHT-1917- Can be seen from the municipal pier. Drive north from U.S. 6 on Oberline Avenue.
WEST PIERHEAD LIGHT (CLEVELAND)- 1910-Marks the entrance of the Cuyahoga river-
From I-90 in Cleveland, take the Highway 2 exit, go to Ninth Street exit and drive two blocks to the harbor parking area.
FAIRPORT HARBOR LIGHT-1825-Located between Cleveland and Ashtabula. Fairport, Ohio
ASHTABULA LIGHT- 1916-Can be seen from Point Park, near the intersection of Walnut and Hulbert Streets.
As long as we are traveling along the Lake Erie shore, two of my favorite places are, Catawba Island, and South Bass Island. Catawba is actual a peninsula in Ottawa County, that juts out into the lake and produces a beautiful drive, access to one of the ferries that take you to South Bass Island, and some good fishing and boat access locations.
South Bass Island is about 3.7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. It's a short trip across the lake by the Miller Ferry from Catawba Island, or the Jet Express out of Port Clinton and Sandusky.
South Bass Island is the home of the village of Put-in-Bay, Perry's Monument, commemorating the Battle of Lake Erie, the International Peace Memorial, and a winery.
You can travel around the island by car, bike, or on foot, but my favorite way is by rented golf cart.
There is also an airport on the island.
View Larger Map
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