Pennsylvania Family Fun..

My favorite spot along the shores of Lake Erie is Presque Isle State Park. It has so many different attractions for our entire family. There is hiking, birdwatching, swimming, boating among many other endless attractions. I enjoyed being able to rent a boat upon arrival at the park, when our family decided to visit. It is said to have Pennsylvania's only surfing available.

While there, in the city of Erie, consider seeing The Flagship Niagara historic site, which features a replica of the historic craft. The brig Niagara was Commodore Perry's flagship during his victory over the British fleet in 1813.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Lake Erie and the city of Erie are situated at the top of the State of Pennsylvania which borders several states and easy access to visit Canada while there.

You access Presque Isle Park via boat or by way of PA Route 382.

The Red Roof Inn Erie is conveniently located off I-90 at S.R. 97 (exit 7), minutes from downtown Erie and Erie International Airport.

ESPN, Showtime and CNN
• Movies-on-demand and video games
• Clock radios
• Kids 18 and under stay FREE
• Free USA today on weekdays
• Free coffee in lobby
• Free local calls

The hotel is situated:
five miles from downtown Erie,14 miles from Erie International Airport.Three miles from Mercyhurst College. Five miles from Tullio Convention Center. Millcreek Mall is 5 miles away.Presque Isle State Park 13 miles, and Waldameer/Waterworld Park 14 miles away.

They do have a special rate available called, Super Value Rates. To get the special rates,you will need to contact the hotel and mention these codes to get your reduced rates.

Jan 1, 2001 - May 24, 2001 Everyday ($49.99 regular rate) ($34.99 Super value), use code# CP503957
May 25, 2001 - Sept 8, 2001 Sun-Thurs ($59.99 Reg Rate) ($49.99 Super Value rate )mention code# CP503957 and for Fridays and Saturdays ( $69.99 Reg Rate) ($59.99 Super Value Rate) Use Code#CP504333 .
From Sept 9, 2001 - Oct 25, 2001 from Sun-Thurs ($59.99Reg Rate) ($39.99 Super Value Rate) Mention code#CP503957 And on Fridays and Saturdays ($69.99Reg Rate) ($49.99 Super Value Rate) use code#CP504333.

And, from Oct 26, 2001 - Dec 30, 2001 on Sundays-Thursdays ($49.99Reg Rate) ($34.99 Super Value Rate) mention code # CP503957 And for Fridays and Saturdays ($59.99 Regular rate) ($39.99 Super Value Rate) mention code#CP504333

This will ensure you will receive your additional discounts for cheaper rates.

Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200 acre sandy peninsula going 7 miles into Lake Erie.

Located next to the City of Erie, the third largest city in Pennsylvania, Presque Isle offers terrific recreation and educational opportunities for the all.

The park is reached by PA Route 832 or via boat. The road system within the park forms a loop about 14 miles in length. This loop is popular with sightseers.

There are hundreds of picnic tables are available for year-round use. There is boating and a marina as well. You may go to the Watercraft Concession and rent canoes, rowboats, motorboats, and electric powered boats. Water Skiing is very popular too.

The swimming beaches are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

Fishing: Common species are perch, coho, smelt, walleye, rainbow trout and bass in Lake Erie, and panfish, perch, bass, muskellunge, walleye, northern pike, crappies, smelt, and coho in Presque Isle Bay.

Picnic Pavilions: A limited number of picnic pavilions are available for rental. You will need to make advance reservations at the park office.

Hiking: A 7-mile trail network is very popular. There is a 5.8-mile multi-purpose trail that begins at the park entrance and ends at the Perry Monument. This trail is popular with bicyclists, joggers and roller skaters.

Birdwatching at Presque Isle is a favorite spring and fall event with hundreds of 300 species and is considered one of the 10 best birding locations in the U.S.

The park is open throughout the year. A popular winter activity is ice fishing and occurs on Presque Isle Bay, Misery Bay and in the Marina area. A winter sports concession is located in the all-purpose building at Beach No. 7 from November 1 to March 31.

Lagoon pontoon boat tours are available at schedule times from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the Watercraft Concession. In addition to the boat rentals at the watercraft concession, food and refreshment concessions are located at several locations.

For more information contact: Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Presque Isle State Park P.O. Box 8510 Erie, PA 16505 Telephone: (814) 833-7424 For general state park information call: 1-800-63-PARKS.

You may contact them at 814-838-3591.
Some advice to be known is that the amusement park has free parking and free admission, although at the water world everyone pays including babies. The babies need to be watched as not to soil the water by the personnel.

There are prices for rides for the kids up to 42". They pay $8.25 to use either the amusement park or water world,or $10.50 if going to both locations.

For everyone over 42" tall:
Water World $11.50, Waldameer $13.50 or $16.00 for both parks.

They accept all major credit cards too. At the Merry-Go-Round Ticket booth, you can rent baby strollers and wagens. Fireworks displays are scheduled for Sun. & Mon., May 27th & 28th (Memorial Day Weekend) Sun. June 17th (Father’s Day) Tues. & Wed. July 3rd & 4th (4th Of July Holiday) Sun. Sept. 2nd (Labor Day Weekend) Swimsuits (no metal devices) must be worn when utilizing Water World attractions

It was initiated as a project of a group of GE retirees and members of the General Electric Elfun Society and has financial assistance and housing in the Community Center of GE Transportation Systems, Erie, Pennsylvania.

The Museum collects, organizes, stores and displays documents, pictures, memorabilia.

10:AM to 2:PM
Summer Hours: every Saturday June through September
Winter Hours: first Saturday of month October through May.

Telephone: (814 ) 875-2494 24 hour voice mail

BAKED WALLEYE FILLETS (microwaveable too)

1# walleye fillets
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 large tomato, thinly sliced
3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
2 tablespoons white wine
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 slices lemon


Arrange fish in 8 or 9 inch square baking dish. Sprinkle with parsley, lemon juice and salt. Heat oil in small skillet: fry onion and garlic until limp. Top fish with mixture, include oil from skillet. Arrange tomato on onion mix, pour wine over all. Bake at 350 degrees, 30 to 35 minutes, until the fish flakes easily. Garnish with fresh lemon slices. Yield 2 or 3 servings.

FAST FISH DINNER (microwaveable too) 2 cups canned tomatoes drained (1#) 1# fish chunks
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups diced celery
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 medium onions, sliced thin
2 cups canned potatoes sliced


Put tomatoes and butter in medium skillet: bring to boil. Add celery and onions: simmer until onions are soft. Add fish, salt, pepper and potatoes: stir once. Cover skillet: simmer till done. Garnish with parsley. Yield: 4 servings.

FISH CAKES (Perch, Walleye or Salmon)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 onion, minced fine
1 # cooked fish, boned, flaked
2 tablespoons mustard
1/4 to 1/2 cup corn flakes crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
fat for frying

Mix egg, lemon juice, onion, and seasonings in bowl: toss with fish. Add enough cornflake crumbs so fish cakes shape easily. Roll each cake in extra crumbs to coat outside. Heat fat in medium skillet: fry cakes until crisp and brown on outside. Drain on paper towels: place on heated platter. Serve with sauteed chopped celery and scallions. Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

GRILLED WALLEYE IN FOIL
2 # walleye fillets
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 green peppers, sliced
2 teaspoons salt
2 onions, sliced
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup butter melted
dash of pepper

Wash fish, pat dry with paper towel. Cut into serving-size portions. Cut pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil, 12 X 12 inches each: grease lightly. Place portion of fish on foil: top with green peppers and onions. Combine remaining ingredients: pour sauce over fish. bring foil up over food: close all edges with tight double folds. Place packages on grill about 5" from moderately hot coals. Cook till flakes.

PAN FRIED WALLEYE OR PERCH
1 # walleye or Perch
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 - 2 sleeves Club Crackers
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for frying (olive oil or yellow crisco)
Pat fish dry with paper towel. Combine eggs and milk. Roll crackers in freezer bag, with rolling pin until fine. Dip fish in milk egg mixture: roll in crackers. Place in hot pan. Cook till golden brown.

BLACKENED CRAPPIE FILLETS
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon oregano
non stick cooking spray
2 tablespoons melted margarine
approx. 4 crappie fillets

Mix first 8 ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Heat an iron skillet over high heat until a white ash is noted on the bottom. (This should be done under a commercial hood or outside unless ya'll enjoy a sooty house and an unrelenting smoke detector.) Coat fillets evenly with the seasoning mix, patting it in by hand. Gently mist one side of the fillet with cooking spray and place fillet, sprayed side down in hot skillet. Pour 1 teaspoon melted margarine on top of fillet. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side or until underside looks charred

Tip: double dipping makes a thicker coating. Serving 2 - 4 In all recipes I substitute cooking spray for the oil, butter or margarine. (Or use butter buds or very light margarine)
Freezer tip: Place fillets in freezer bag, fill with water, seal and freeze