Tag Archives: Lake Erie

All We Have To Decide

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“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Felllowship Of The Rings

Sometimes it feels like I’m wishing my life away by always looking forward to the weekend, to the end of the workday, to the vacation or day trip. And then I remember that having something to look forward to is an important key to happiness. And then I remember that looking forward to something we enjoy is not the same as wishing away what we have right now. 

I like my job and don’t mind my work day. I like doing chores at home when time allows. I even like running errands that others don’t enjoy, including grocery shopping. For the most part, I’m satisfied about everywhere I am. 

So, I guess what I have decided to do with my time is just make the best of it. 

It’s Saturday, friends. Make the best of it. 

PS: the photo is Lake Erie from Huntington Beach.

Edgewater Walk

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Waves lapped at the rocks as a man rode by on a tricycle made for grown-ups. A sailboat in the distance glided effortlessly along the horizon. Sunbathers were beginning to arrive with their tote bags of towels and cold drinks.

It was funny. They were arriving as the thermometer was beginning to rise and we were fleeing for that very reason.

One thing that makes Cleveland’s Edgewater Park unusual is that the shoreline has weeping willow trees that provide shade to fishermen and the beach has massive, beautiful trees that provide some shade in the middle of the beach.

A pier makes a great spot to view the city skyline and to people watch. An enormous ship loomed on the horizon. The man walking by reeked of marijuana. Welcome to Ohio where the everyone smells like a skunk.

A couple across the beach had three Irish Wolfhounds in tow. Technically, I think the dogs were in charge. Come to think of it, they could have been mistaken for a trio of small horses in need of saddles.

People went every which way, talking, listening, jogging, staring at their phones. In fact, it seemed many people had no interest in the beautiful Lake Erie summer day that we were so enjoying.

I was grateful that we were both tuned in to the lapping of waves, the shade of the trees and even the increasingly hostile sun beating down on us as we cut through the grass.

Nature. Fresh air. People watching.

What more could we ask? I can’t think of a thing.

Ella The Pink Elephant

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When you’re driving down the road and encounter a giant pink elephant, you turn around and go back for a closer look.

At least that’s what I did while traveling through New York’s wine country along Lake Erie last month.

Meet Ella the Elephant.

She’s the mascot of 21 Brix Winery near Portland. They placed her here to help visitors spot their entrance. For a while they painted her different colors, changing her look with the seasons. They eventually settled on this eye catching Pepto Bismal pink which has inspired a series of wines named in her honor.

I know little about grapes or wineries as I’m not a drinker but I do know about roadside attractions and this one is awesome. Learn more about 21 Brix at their website and know that this region boasts a plethora of wineries for your enjoyment.

Barcelona Lighthouse

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Day two in Jamestown was absolutely gorgeous. I had already done everything I really wanted to do here and had learned of some things up the road that I wanted to see.

The sunshine and the open road were calling my name so I set out past vineyards and through small villages to see what’s what.

One of those attractions was this lighthouse in the village of Westfield, New York. Barcelona Lighthouse or Portland Harbor Light was built in 1829 and was the first natural gas lighthouse in the country. It was in Federal Lighthouse Service until 1859 when it was decommissioned and became privately owned.

It remained under private ownership until 2008. That’s when the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation acquired it. Today, this lighthouse is lit even though it isn’t used for navigational purposes. The keeper’s cottage is now a visitor center that’s open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

This is an incredible old structure. It’s fieldstone and has an old world quality about it. At just forty feet tall, it’s not the biggest lighthouse I’ve seen but it’s impressive anyway.

According to a history from the US Coast Guard, Congress appropriated $5,000 to construct a lighthouse on Portland Harbor. The land cost $50 and construction of the lighthouse and cottage was just over $3,400.

I don’t know a thing about most of the people who worked here but the first keeper was a deaf clergyman with several female dependents. He was compensated $350 each year for his service. Oh, to time travel and ask this guy about his life!

If you’re on Route 5 at Westfield, stop by and have a look around!

Lighthouse Complex

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Anytime I’m near a lighthouse, I have this unexplainable urge to prove I can climb the darn thing. This is especially odd given that I am terrified of heights.

Old lighthouses always have scary iron staircases with steps that have open backs large enough to lose a small child through. There is always something that looks like this that you have to climb through to get outside.

Plus it’s always windy up there and one of the most terrifying experiences imaginable for someone afraid of heights.

I absolutely despise the experience but tend to force myself to do it anyway. Why? I’ve been trying to answer this question for years. I suppose just to prove I can.

I’ve only been up in a handful and have to admit that I’m always a little relieved when they aren’t open to the public!

This is Marblehead, a relatively small lighthouse on the Lake Erie shore. It’s part of a state park with a museum and grounds. It’s just 77 terrifying steps to the top for a bargain price of $3 per person.

Click here to visit their website and plan your trip.