Ohio's North Shore

Hello Friends!

Did you have a fantastic weekend?  I hope you were able to beat the heat with some fun and relaxation.

Some of you know my dad hasn't been feeling up to par lately.  We've made several trips to the ER and doctors appointments lately.  Understandably, these struggles coupled with the excessive heat, have left him home-bound and feeling pretty blue. 

Yesterday, I packed him up and we went for a drive along Ohio's north shore, Lake Erie.  When I was a teenager, my parents had a house trailer just south of Port Clinton on the Portage River.  My dad loved it up there and we spent every weekend and five weeks of vacation there each summer.

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It rained most of the trip up and back, but it was nice while we were there.  It was hot and humid, but the overcast skies kept the sun from beating down on us.  There was a breeze, which there almost always is near the lake.  

WE started with a drive around Nugent's Canal, where we spent summers and boy has it changed.  Where there used to be empty lots along the canal, are year 'round homes, and summer cottages.  All the old boat docks have been replaced and most of them have boats tied up to them.  

For anyone who has ever visited, the old bouncy bridge over the canal no longer exists and The Point now has grass, a wooden ship for kids to play on and a decorative lighthouse.  Where the old facilities were now stands a community shelter with picnic tables.  The old restaurant/bar/bait shop is still open and is now called the Lagoon Saloon.  It now has outdoor seating.  Next trip we will definitely stop in for a drink and dinner.    

After this trip down memory lane, we moved along the shore to Port Clinton and Marblehead.  Our destination was the Marblehead Lighthouse so I could take some pictures for all of you. 

If you are a lover of lighthouses, you undoubtedly are familiar with the Marblehead Lighthouse as it is a famous jewel of Lake Erie.  Its location is ideal for views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island and South Bass Island.  Yesterday, we weren't able to see the islands due to the hazy and overcast weather.    

By the time I finished taking photos of the lighthouse, Dad was hungry.  A good sign.  We headed back to Port Clinton to Jolly Roger Seafood House for perch.  I was raised on perch as my Grandpa Benson was an excellent fisherman.  It is still my favorite fish.  

Named one of the best seafood dives by Coastal Living Magazine, Jolly Roger specializes in Lake Erie Perch and Walleye.  They also serve chicken, turkey, and other fish and seafood, but we were there for PERCH!  YUM!   

We had a wonderful day at the north shore, and Dad's spirits seem to be lifted.  Since he was such a good boy during our trip, I made him a big ice cream cone when we got home.

I will be linking this to Blue Monday, Mosaic Monday, and Seasonal Sunday. 

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!