Ottawa County, OH Road Trips

The region was established as the Firelands, named so as it was land promised to Americans from coastal Connecticut who lost their livelihoods to pillaging British forces who torched their property during the American Revolutionary War. By the 1950s, the number of coastal resorts and tourist attractions earned this region the nickname Vacationland. Erie County and Huron County were at one time one county, they were divided in the 1800s. Erie County includes one island, Kelleys Island, and has a long shoreline on Lake Erie running from Bay View east to Vermillion. In the early days the shoreline was quite rough and swampy. Today, it is the site of Cedar Point in Sandusky and the location of some of the most expensive residential property in Ohio. Cold Creek, starts as an underground river, lacking normal oxygen levels, that rises first at Castalia, Ohio south of the business district and forms a pond, where the water, which remains at a constant 48 degrees year around flows north to Sandusky, where it enters Sandusky Bay and then Lake Erie. The places where the water rises to the surface are similar to the cenotes in the Yucatán and the two areas share a similar Karst geological sub-surface of limestone. From Castalia, north, there are several of these "cenotes" or springs that vary in size. Some have been explored by divers and they have not been able to determine the depth or scope of the rivers. Today, most are on private property and access is a bit difficult. The small ones at Castalia are not difficult to visit, as they are in a public park.

The Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont was the first U.S. Presidential Library, and the retirement home of Rutherford B. Hayes, nineteenth president of the United States. The Toledo Museum of Art

Birding - Many birds pass through this area as they migrate over Lake Erie. Sky Zone Toledo, in Holland, northwest of Maumee

Freshwater fish are a staple here. In particular fish like perch and walleye are enjoyed. Soft serve ice cream and taffy are common summer treats served along the shore.

Pubs are common along the shore, and on the islands. There are some local wineries as well, especially on the islands.

Toledo Express Airport Cleveland Hopkins International Airport SR 6 E/W 2 lane follows lake shore. Scenic. SR 2 E/W 4 lane. I 80/90 Turnpike E/W Indiana to Pennsylvania SR 4 2 lane N/S SR 13/250 2 lane N/S Cruises - Ferries & Catamarans The Goodtime I, +1 419-625-9692, [1]. The Goodtime I Departs from Sandusky, Ohio daily on an island hopping cruise. The Jet Express, 101 West Shoreline Drive, toll-free: +1-800-245-1538, [email protected]. Trips to Kelly's Island and Put-in-Bay. The Pelee Islander, +1-800-661-2220. Daily trips to Pelee Island and mainland Ontario, Canada. Service from Sandusky is limited to once daily during the summer months, and is further restricted during the spring and fall. Advance vehicle reservations. The MV Jiimaan, Jackson St. The largest passenger ferry along the Lake Erie route to Pelee Island. Leaves from the foot of Jackson St., Sandusky. To Lemington, Canada, Kingsville Govt. Dock, Ontario, Canada and Pelee Island, Ontario, Canada.

The majority of travel in this region is done by car. There are not many dedicated electric car chargers in this area outside of Toledo and Sandusky. It is possible to take ferries, cruises, or private boats between various coastal cities. For island cities, a car ferry is generally preferred. The mainland here is generally flat, so cyclists rarely have to change gear or go uphill. Cyclists should be cautious of area motorists, who often don't expect bikes on the road.

Although it is smaller than most of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie can be temperamental with calm water one hour and choppy waves the next. Like the ocean, riptides can occur. Unlike the ocean, you are less buoyant in lake Erie due to the lack of salt. In the winter, the parts of the lake may ice over. For more information, see Ice safety.