Lake Erie Islands region
The Port-Clinton-to-Marblehead shoreline is a busy vacation destination in summer; less so in late spring and early fall. The area includes a complex array of peninsulas and islands, shore views facing to every point of the compass. The islands can be reached by commercial ferries with about 20 minutes transit time, running regularly late April through mid-November.
Kelleys Island Glacial Grooves
Two miles from the ferry dock on Kelleys Island is the world-famous Glacial Grooves State Memorial, an excavated site showing the ancient ice sheet's erosion of the limestone bedrock. It is a massive channel more than a hundred yards long, containing a bewildering variety of finely sculpted ridges and troughs. All can be viewed from a wraparound walkway with safety fences and stairs. A small beach and comfort facilities are very close by, in Kelleys Island State Park. The closest ferry departure is from the mainland town of Marblehead. For a full scene description of this place with example ideas for storytellers, see the Giant Grooves page on this website.
Two miles from the ferry dock on Kelleys Island is the world-famous Glacial Grooves State Memorial, an excavated site showing the ancient ice sheet's erosion of the limestone bedrock. It is a massive channel more than a hundred yards long, containing a bewildering variety of finely sculpted ridges and troughs. All can be viewed from a wraparound walkway with safety fences and stairs. A small beach and comfort facilities are very close by, in Kelleys Island State Park. The closest ferry departure is from the mainland town of Marblehead. For a full scene description of this place with example ideas for storytellers, see the Giant Grooves page on this website.
Crystal Cave, South Bass Island
This cave is actually a giant geode encased in the bedrock, its walls coated with translucent celestite mineral crystals about the sizes of quart milk cartons. Visitors explore the cave space in small groups. It was discovered during well-digging on the Heineman Winery property; tours helped Heineman's stay in business during prohibition. The winery specializes in the region's Catawba grape variety, and its wine garden is a pleasant place to relax after the cave tour, sampling the Catawba grape juice and Niagara and Catawba sweet white wines. Ticketed cave and winery tours run early May through late September. Across the street is Perry's Cave, entirely different in its more typical limestone cavern look and feel. The shortest ferry route to South Bass Island is from the north tip of Catawba Island (with bridge connection to the mainland). For more on the cave and the narrative roles this setting might play, visit the Crystal Chamber page on this website.
This cave is actually a giant geode encased in the bedrock, its walls coated with translucent celestite mineral crystals about the sizes of quart milk cartons. Visitors explore the cave space in small groups. It was discovered during well-digging on the Heineman Winery property; tours helped Heineman's stay in business during prohibition. The winery specializes in the region's Catawba grape variety, and its wine garden is a pleasant place to relax after the cave tour, sampling the Catawba grape juice and Niagara and Catawba sweet white wines. Ticketed cave and winery tours run early May through late September. Across the street is Perry's Cave, entirely different in its more typical limestone cavern look and feel. The shortest ferry route to South Bass Island is from the north tip of Catawba Island (with bridge connection to the mainland). For more on the cave and the narrative roles this setting might play, visit the Crystal Chamber page on this website.
Perry's Monument, South Bass Island
This National Parks Service site in the town of Put-In-Bay has extensive historical exhibits on the famous War of 1812 naval conflict that played out near these islands. There is also a ticketed observation platform at top of the columnar Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial which offers a view spanning the whole array of islands and mainland coast. Contact the park website ahead for platform/elevator open dates; the visitor center operates mid-May through mid-October.
This National Parks Service site in the town of Put-In-Bay has extensive historical exhibits on the famous War of 1812 naval conflict that played out near these islands. There is also a ticketed observation platform at top of the columnar Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial which offers a view spanning the whole array of islands and mainland coast. Contact the park website ahead for platform/elevator open dates; the visitor center operates mid-May through mid-October.
Marblehead Lighthouse State Park
This low bedrock point guards the entrance to the large Sandusky Bay, with a broad view of the lake, Kelleys and South Bass islands. Even without considering the lighthouse, it is an evocative place with many moods in shifting weather. The shore is a series of limestone platforms, with crevice-rooted trees and piles of rock slabs ripped up by storm waves. These spots offer dry perches to warm-weather visitors. For more on this setting and example story ideas natural for this setting, see the Flatrock Point scene description on this website.
This low bedrock point guards the entrance to the large Sandusky Bay, with a broad view of the lake, Kelleys and South Bass islands. Even without considering the lighthouse, it is an evocative place with many moods in shifting weather. The shore is a series of limestone platforms, with crevice-rooted trees and piles of rock slabs ripped up by storm waves. These spots offer dry perches to warm-weather visitors. For more on this setting and example story ideas natural for this setting, see the Flatrock Point scene description on this website.
Visitor Tips
- Sloopy's Pizza has won national awards for its pies. The menu is diverse, with great salads and other dinner options. There are two locations: Port Clinton and Lakeside.
- Lakeside is a resort community of Victorian-era cottages in the town of Marblehead, with lake observation pier and pavilion, gardens, and sidewalks along the lakefront. Its gates are open to the public at no cost prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day - an excellent place for an evening stroll.