A Trip to the Islands

Out-of-towners (especially east coasters) are usually surprised to find out that Lake Erie has islands. Islands big enough to support intelligent life. Entire towns. Airports. Schools. Year-round residents.

That's right. The lake is that big. It's a Great Lake. You cannot see the other side. Don't let Tahoe tell you it has a "big" lake. The other shoreline is right there. Not the case with Lake Erie. You can not see Canada from Sandusky (unless you're on top of the 400-foot roller coaster at Cedar Point, then maybe... on a really, really clear day). Most of the world's seas are smaller than this.

The islands are a really fun places to visit. North Bass, Middle Bass, South Bass and Kelley's Islands are the main ones. Ferries leave from Sandusky and Port Clinton on a regular basis in the summer. In the winter, you have to fly. (Unless, when the ice is thick enough, you're brave (or crazy) enough to drive to the mainland. It's been a long time since the lake has frozen deep enough to drive semi trucks back and forth to the islands.) When there are enough kids at the local high school to field a basketball team, they have to fly to their games on the mainland, as long as the weather cooperates.

We made a field trip to South Bass Island in July. Ferry from Catawba. Rent bikes on the island. Make a full day of it. If you want to spend the night, try the B&B's... but reserve early because they sell out quickly in the summer.



The main town on South Bass is Put-In-Bay (pronounced/slurred together as "Puddin' Bay). It's a party town, to say the least. Plenty of bars and restaurants to entertain the tourists. The Heineman's Winery is a pretty good stop on a hot summer day.

The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie, won by Commodore Olive Perry during the War of 1812. Perry and his ships beat the British near South Bass Island and helped bring the war to a close. Today, there's an enormous tower and a national park on the island.

The Crystal Cave is fun tourist stop. It's actually part of the winery. It's gigantic geode about 30 feet under ground. You climb down the stairs and find yourself in a little room full of crystals. Walls. Ceiling. Everywhere. It's bizarre. And totally natural.