Ohio 2012

 

July 29, 2012

Dragster Ride in Cedar Point

Look out Cedar Point Adventure Park here we come.  It supposedly is the biggest roller coast park in the world.  After spending the day, I’d say it’s the biggest one we’ve been in…..almost all of the rides involve a roller coaster.   The old wooden ones are very rough on the old body…would not recommend them.   They just make your bodies hurt afterwards.    

I must say the Dragster was the most exhilarating ride.   They say it goes 120 MPH and the ride only last for 17 seconds.   I honestly must say, it was scary!   You climb up this 42 story structure and then you must come down.   I could only hope that I see the ground sooner or later….ok, I say it later.   It certainly took my breath away.   Yes, I have a sore throat from screaming all day.

Raptor Ride, they are upside down

We rode these rides: Raptor, Blue streak (old wooden roller coaster), Mantis, Dragster, and Magnum XL-200 (another wooden roller coaster (bobby lost is hat on this one)), and then called it a day.   Between waiting in line for an hour to board the rides and the stress of the ride (turns, bumps, etc), we were exhausted.   The last ride was a stand up ride and it beat our heads.   It also made Bobby a little sea sick.

Came home and will watch the Olympics and then tomorrow we head to Joliet, IL.   

July 28, 2012

Bay at Kelly's Island

Had breakfast at home and then headed out to Kelly’s Island..http://www.kelleysisland.com/….an island about 5 miles by road and then 20 minutes on a ferry.   The entire island is listed on the National Historic Society’s list.   

We decided not to drive but walk on the ferry.   It cost $9.50 a person one way and if we’d taken the car, it was another $15 each way.   It was a smooth sailing even though the water looked a little rough.  

Glacial Grooves on Kelly's Island

Once we got on the island, we walked about 10 minutes into the downtown area.   We walked around the 3-4 block area and perused the shops, I bought a shirt, Bobby found nothing.   Had lunch at the “casino”, it was a restaurant, shared a nacho.    

Afterwards, we went and rented a golf cart and headed out to the “glacial grooves”.   You can’t get close to them (fenced off), but we could see them clearly.   Not what I had expected but certainly something I have never seen.   

Left the island and head to Port Clinton….stop at a local fish market and bought some yellow perch.   I fried them (they are very thin) and they were excellent.   Very expensive…. $13 a pound, we bought  ½ lb.   But worth it, even Bobby enjoyed it.   

July 27, 2012

Bobby swimming in Lake Erie

Moved from Sandusky, OH over to Port Clinton, OH, it’s about 11 miles west.   Staying at the East Harbor State Park…nice state park located right on Lake Erie.   Had to wait about 2 hrs to get a spot, as it was totally booked and we were waiting to see if the walk-in sites would not stay another night.   Luckily we got a nice spot and we’ll stay 3 nights.

Marblehead Lighthouse

Made lunch and then we went to the beach area, where we took a swim in the lake.  Water temp was around 83.   It was great.   Swam around for an hour or so, then we decided to go see the light house in Marblehead.   After viewing lighthouse, we went and found the lighthouse keepers house.  It was built in 1822 and is still all original except for the living room fireplace.   

Then we drove to a confederate cemetery.   Over 200 soldiers that were imprisoned on this island are buried here.

We did a little geochasing on the way home.   Tomorrow, heading to Cedar Point….world’s largest roller coaster park…..no, we did not know it was here prior to arriving here.

July 26, 2012

One of the many gardens in downtown Sandusky, OH

Left Erie around 8:30, waited until the rain storm slowed down.   We had major thunder and lighting storm most of the night.....did not sleep much.   Traveled on the 80/90 until hwy 250 and then head to Sandusky, OH.  Arrived at Camp Sandusky around 11:30, set up the motorhome and did some cleaning, since we'd been dry camping last 4 days, needed it.

Major thunderstorms coming this afternoon, so not sure if we'll stay in or adventure out. 

One of the lighthouses in downtown

Took a drive into town, it's located on Lake Erie so I was excited to find out what attractions are here.   I know there are 3 islands that are accessible by ferry and wanted to get the details.   We drove to the bay area and found an Opie race.   These are small sail boats being raced by kids under age of 9.   The weather was causing micro bursts so they were coming off the water.  It was interesting watching 400 boats coming into the boat launch at once. 

Then we headed towards the ferry....they have several....we'll choose which one tomorrow.  We'll move from Camp Sandusky over to East Harbor State Park at Port Clinton.


Downtown area has many gardens and lighthouses.   We walked around 4 blocks or so and took many pics of the gardens.   They are magnificent.   Look at the clock one, the clock actually works, plus the date and month are accurate.   They change the date daily and month monthly.