South Bass Island/Put-In-Bay 2014

I guess the [BIKE] sub-header is sort of false advertising on this post due to the fact that my bike remained tucked away in the garage of our home on this trip, but it fits the context of the [BIKE] category better than the others.

Last week my wife and I joined some friends on a trip to South Bass Island to celebrate the birthday of her closest friend, Andrea. Despite the party atmosphere of the island (mainly downtown), there is a substantial amount of history associated with the Lake Erie Islands, South Bass in particular.

I'm On a Boat and...

Since the Lake Erie Islands are, well Islands the only way to get to them is by boat (or an airplane if you are into the "puddle jumper" thing), and the cheapest way to do that is the Miller Ferry.

One of the two ferry's that leave from Catawba, Ohio.

Look at me getting "artsy".

Some of the group.

Lime Kiln Dock/South Bass Island

The Miller Ferry docks at the Lime Kiln Dock on the side of the island closer to the mainland. Why is it called the Lime Kiln Dock? Because it has an old lime kiln there.

The lime kiln is the old stone structure on the left side of the picture.

South Bass Island was settled in 1807 and was a major deciding factor in the outcome of The War of 1812. In 1813 a large naval battle took place around this island. The U.S. forces were lead by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (there is a monument on the island memorializing him) and the British's much larger fleet was headed by Robert Barclay. Perry defeated the British despite being outnumbered, crippling their fleet. He is well known for stating after the battle "We have met the enemy and they are ours." (Ohio State Parks)

After docking we walked up the road and then were taxied to where we would get our new ride (golf cart).

The Put-In-Bay Airport (where we picked up our golf carts).

Our sweet rides.

Put-In-Bay/Perry Peace Memorial

We then made our way to downtown Put-In-Bay and the Perry Peace Memorial to partake in the "Christmas in July" frivolity. Put-In-Bay was established in 1877 and is the only village on the Lake Erie Islands. Downtown is loaded with bars and shops while the outskirts are mostly wineries. Grapes are the sole source of agriculture that comes from the island. (Wikipedia)

Festive!

Round House is probably the most popular bar on the island. It is always packed (I try to stay away to appease my social anxiety).

More bars and shops.

Cool sign.

The boardwalk restaurant and bars.

Boardwalk.

The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial was finished in 1936 to memorialize the Commodore himself and it stands as one of the tallest monuments in the U.S.

Monument. You can go to the top!

Banner inside the monument commemorating 200 years since the Battle of Lake Erie. "Don't give up the ship" was probably the most famous line spoke by the commodore whilst in battle.

The Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland has an IPA named after the commodore with his famous line altered to "Don't give up the sip". (Great Lakes Brewing)

The base of the monument being built in 1916 (Charles Frohman)

The monument stands 352 feet tall and for $3 you can visit the observation deck at the top via a sketchy elevator system. It is worth it though.

Downtown Put-In-Bay from the top

The harbor in which Commodore Perry hid his fleet before battle. I bet Perry would have liked to party at Put-In-Bay.

The back side of the island. This is all residential. In 2010 the population of the island was 138.

After hitting up all of the bars and the Boardwalk we headed to Heineman's Winery and then back to the dock. It was time to leave....

....but not before taking one last photograph.

Back to the boats!

Until next time. Go explore something!