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I love camping! But I’m particular about it: It has to be in a tent, and it has to be in a nicely wooded area where the individual campsites aren’t too close together, far away from civilization. At the same time, I really appreciate showers and flush toilets. Happily for me, on South Bass Island I found all of this! The State Park there has become one of my favorite camping destinations, because it has what I need and more.

I even have a favorite spot, which I can reserve online in advance and know that it will be mine for the week I need it (I also have a back-up!). The neat thing is, if we take our bikes we can really use them for something besides just circling around a parking lot. The whole island is right there, waiting to be explored!

The only times Mandy and I used the jeep were when we had to go to the laundromat, and to pick up firewood. Slab wood is available at the campground office, but a woman at the local hardware store had told us about a man who lived out on a certain road, who usually had a stack of real logs for sale at the end of his driveway, on the honor system and real cheap. I have no idea where he gets this wood, but we were delighted to come by this nice dry stuff for our campfires. The rest of the time we would just hop on our bikes and ride, strapping our lunch, souvenirs, bottle of wine... whatever!... on the back with a bungee. One evening we were feeling lazy, so we went into town and bought a pizza at the Frosty Bar (really good, I might add) and strapped it on the back to enjoy back at camp.

To learn more, and to make reservations, go to www.ohioparks.net

On that rainy day I mentioned earlier in this journal, my daughter Mandy and I were searching about for an indoor place to spend some time, and we decided to have an extended lunch at the Put-in-Bay Brewing Company. We were very glad we made this choice. The laid-back atmosphere combined with its attractive interior, consisting of gleaming bar and tables, walls of brick, and polished hardwood floor, lends to a first-class dining experience. The wait staff were polite and friendly, making us feel right at home. Unlike many restaurants back home, though, we didn’t feel rushed, as if we had to move along to make room for the next patron.

At the server’s recommendation, we started off with an appetizer of Mac-n-Cheese Bites: 5 breaded, deep-fried wedges of macaroni, served with a Cajun ranch sauce. They were delightful. As burger aficionados, we highly approved of their selections in this area. The hand-pattied all beef ½ pound Brewery Burger was thick, juicy, and tasted just the way a classic burger should. Accompanied by the Ultimate Fries (which could have been a meal in itself: crisp, hefty potato wedges topped with cheese, bacon and chives)... I was in hog heaven!

There is a kids’ menu, and for beverages, they offer the usual soft drinks, iced tea, juices, as well as cocktails and bottled and draught beer, including Summer Brew, Ole Cotton Top Irish Red, and Fat Man’s Friend in addition to your common, everyday beer selections. The Put-in-Bay Brewing Company is open every day in the summer, with nightly shows upstairs in the Brewery Show Room.

Lake Erie’s tempering effect creates a long growing season on the islands. This, coupled with ideal soil conditions, has made them a perfect place to grow grapes for wine. At the turn of the century there were 17 wineries on Put-in-Bay, but prohibition was catastrophic to the wine industry. The Heineman Winery survived, and is now run by the third and fourth generations, who help cultivate 50 acres of grapes on the island. Primarily Concord and Catawba varieties of grapes are used in the making of two grape juices and many of the wines.

Located about a mile from the village of Put-in-Bay, the Heineman Winery is a very popular stop for island vacationers. Here, wine can be ordered by the glass, bottle, or case. The shop has the look of yesterday, as if you had stepped back in time. Taste before you buy, if you wish. There is a lovely wine garden behind the shop, where couples, groups or families can sit at tables to enjoy their beverages.

One secret to this winery’s survival of the disastrous prohibition years was the discovery in 1897 of Crystal Cave, while digging a well for the winery. The walls of this cave are covered in a bluish mineral called celestite, making it the world’s largest geode. The income gained by conducting tours of this cave helped pay the bills during those difficult years.

Today, tours of the cave and winery are offered Monday through Saturday, from 10:15am to 5pm, Sunday from 12:15pm to 5pm. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 11.

The 352-foot Greek Doric column of the Perry Peace Memorial is the most dominant feature of the Lake Erie Islands. Constructed in 1915 by a commission of nine states, it commemorates Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s defeat of the British in the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. In addition, the monument celebrates the lasting peace between the United States and our neighbor to the north, Canada.

Of all the attractions on South Bass Island, this memorial is a must-see. The first thing you will see when you enter the beautiful rotunda are the carvings all around the walls of the names of Perry’s vessels along with the names of the Americans who were wounded or killed in the battle. Next, you may climb the 37 steps to the lower landing, where there is an elevator to take visitors to an observation deck 317 feet above Lake Erie (which takes about 60 seconds). It’s a marvelous view from here: If it’s a clear day, you can see the shoreline of Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario. During the summer months, National Park Service Rangers are posted here to offer interpretive talks about the monument and the War of 1812. There is a $3 fee for adults to ride the elevator; children 15 or under are free.
Although we didn’t take the time to visit it, there is a visitor center with monitor that shows views from the Memorial’s top, a glass wall which frames the Memorial, models of the battle, a movie theater, gift shop, and Ohio’s oldest statue of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.

After our visit, we were treated to an interesting account of the Battle of Lake Erie by a Park Ranger in military attire, on the plaza steps outside the Memorial. We found out that on weekends, there are living history demonstrations, with Rangers dressed in War of 1812 military and civilian uniforms, concluding with a firing demonstration of reproduction flintlock muskets and rifles; also on select weekends, a 32-pounder carronade is fired.

Right across Catawba Street from the Heineman Winery is Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center, a treasure trove of other adventures for everyone to enjoy. For starters, there’s Perry’s Cave, wherein lies the underground stream that once supplied drinking water for Commodore Perry’s men. A 20-minute narrated tour is offered, and of course there is a gift shop where you may purchase souvenirs. After the cave tour, the youngsters (and adults who are in shape!) can try their climbing skills on one of five different levels of the Rock Climbing Wall!

Adjacent to the cave is the 6,000 square foot indoor Butterfly Garden and museum, where is housed a large variety of exotic imported butterflies in their natural habitat. Butterfly experts are on hand to answer questions, and there is a free movie. The lovely gift shop alone is well worth a visit. Dominating this whole fun area is the War of 18 Holes Miniature Golf Course, challenging fun for all. The refreshing centerpiece is a waterfall that you can walk beneath.
The better part of a day could be spent here; my daughter and I made use of it when a rainy day spoiled our other plans.