Put In Bay--COVID or Not

The reservation had already been made before the lead story on the evening news was that there was a cluster of COVID cases at the island. It was only 16 cases and they were said to stem from gatherings in some of the bars and a pool with a swim up bar. Since we had no intention of going to any bars, we continued with our plans. After a Sunday morning wedding, we found ourselves aboard the Miller Ferry in the afternoon. 

Being Sunday, most of the traffic was coming off the island rather than going to the island. We took our car this time since it is really a little cheaper than renting a golf cart although the cart is a lot more fun. Before checking into the Arbor Inn, our favorite bed and breakfast on the island, we stopped in to visit my brother and his wife. We had hoped to see them in August at a wedding but unfortunately the wedding is now postponed to next year. We had a great visit sitting on their deck and enjoying conversation and fresh breezes off the lake.

The state park beach used to be best for 
skipping stones.

Our check in at the B&B was contactless. A registration paper was set on the table for us along with the key for our room. We filled out a check and left it with the completed registration and went up to our room to change into more comfortable clothes. 

Back out and into the car, we took a bit of a tour around the town and out to the South Bass State Park where Bob is hoping to set up his portable station for the Ohio State Parks On The Air day in September. Last year he and his brother worked from Oak Point State Park, a little patch of green near the fish hatchery. There was so much goose dung that they had to borrow a rake and clear a spot. They are hoping the large park will work out better. There certainly were fewer geese.

Stopping by the Perry's Victory & International Peace Monument, we found we were in time for the last rifle demonstration of the day. We missed the preamble about the history behind the uniforms and rifles but were able to watch them load and fire. Must have been terrifying with troops advancing on you considering the time it took to reload.

Dinner was at the Goat where I got my annual fish tacos. They were a little crazy with a reduced staff due to COVID but we observed them being very diligent with their cleaning and hand sanitizing. (Testing was done over the weekend and the spread was found to be not nearly as bad as they anticipated.) 

Bob enjoyed an ice cream cone from the Chocolate Cafe and then we got coffee and water and found a picnic table in DeRivera Park downtown to enjoy the evening and reminisce about our first date--a trip to Gibraltar Island in the bay for an open house at the Ohio State University's Stone Laboratory. That was fifty-five years ago. 

Oh and while we were at the monument, we took a moment to sit under our favorite tree from that summer. Bob pointed out that there was a camera on the tree now. Hmmm.

Remembering the Island Airline's Tri Motor

[There is a restoration project going on at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton. Great museum if you visit the area!]

A deep rumble permeates the plane and its passengers as they taxi to the end of the airstrip. A pause. A turn. The pilot, Harold Hauck, looks back at his passengers, grins, and then turns to the controls as the Ford Tri-motor he pilots gallops down the runway and finally lifts into the air. It is a thrill I fondly remember from my youth in the late 50s and 60s as my family made our weekly visit to their vacation home on South Bass Island in Lake Erie.

The Ford Tri-motor, or the Tin Goose as it was nicknamed, was a major mode of transportation for the Island Airlines of Port Clinton, Ohio, for over 50 years. At one time I believe they owned three. It carried passengers and cargo to the Lake Erie Islands of South Bass, Middle Bass, North Bass, and Rattlesnake. In the winter, it was the only means of public transportation to the islands and was used as a “school bus” for the children on the outer islands who attended school at Put-In-Bay or Port Clinton on the mainland.

My very first plane ride was in the Tin Goose whose corrugated metal sides shone brightly in the sun. The Goose had room for two pilots and seventeen passengers who sat on small metal seats padded lightly with vinyl cushions. The back of the metal seat barely made it to the small of an adult’s back (the restored version appears to have much more comfortable seats) and most hunched forward to look out the windows as the plane flew its scenic route. Often cargo was stacked on one side of the plane, passengers sat on the other and when the plane banked, hands would go up to be sure the cargo stayed in place.

The most exciting trip for me came later when my husband and I hitched a ride on the mail route on the Tri-motor. We lifted off and touched down at each of the islands where mail pouches were exchanged. Landing and take-off at Rattlesnake Island was as exciting as any amusement park ride could be. The airstrip was cut across the little island and the pilot had to judge his landing quickly at the start of the runway so that he had enough distance to brake and turn before falling off the cliff at the other end. Take off was equally exciting as the plane gunned engines at one end of the runway and took off with a burst of “speed” while everyone held their breath to see if we could lift off before reaching the lake on the other side.

There were only two crashes that I know of in the islands. One took place on Kellys Island in 1954 and the other at Port Clinton in 1972. The pieces-parts of the Island Airlines Tri-motors are shown here in a series of photographs taken in Vicksburg, Michigan, where the plane was being restored.

There is a restored Tri-motor that tours in the summer and offers rides. What a privilege we had to ride at a $5-10 rate when we were kids. Fond memories.

Celebrating 50 Years - How It Began

Back then, in the early 60s, Put In Bay had old antique cars that they used as taxi service. The taxi stand was right in front of the Round House, the middle of the main street of the town. And right next to the Round House was a little enclosed area of the front porch that housed Mrs. Ohlamacher's Pizza place--my first summer job.

It was actually the second year I'd worked the pizza place and early in the summer I began to notice that the taxi drivers were beginning their summers as well. It was unusual for drivers to work more than one year. You really had to hustle and it wasn't always a pleasant job in those late night hours with overindulgent drinkers from the bars. Suddenly I noticed a familiar face. It was a driver from the year before.

Now that would have been curious enough as I watched him drive a white convertible taxi past the pizza place. The next thing I knew, he was driving a red Cadillac convertible in the other direction past me and now he was wearing a hat. This continued for a while until suddenly the two cars crossed slowly in front of me and I realized I was seeing double! Dick had returned and he had a twin brother, Bob!

One of my most vivid memories of that summer is Bob walking down the street from his boss's shop with a big wad of cotton candy on a stick. I smiled and thought he had cute knees (he still does).

Our first date was the free open house at the Ohio State University Lab on Gibraltor Island in the bay. We explored lots of stuff in jars. Little did I know then how big OSU would loom in my future.

Gibraltor Island-OSU lab

As the summer progressed so did our interest in each other. Lots of rides home after work and just rides around the island for fun. Bob's favorite memory is the night he walked me to my door and was about to kiss me good night (for the first time, if I remember correctly). Don't know what made my mother open the door but when she saw the two of us there she got embarrassed and called out, "Oh, it's you two. Well go to it!" Then she closed the door.

He reminded her often that she'd told him to "go to it".

When summer ended neither of us had any idea that our relationship would continue. We began writing every day and visited several times over that year--my first at Kent State. When the year ended, and it seemed that this was getting serious I petitioned my dad to let me transfer to OSU so I could get to know this guy better since it seemed that it was going to be serious.

I guess you could say the rest is history. Wow, that makes me feel really old. By Christmas of '67 we were engaged and when Bob's job commitment gave us an income, we planned our wedding for September.

Oktoberfest - Put In Bay, Ohio

Every October Put-In-Bay, Ohio, sponsors an Oktoberfest. We have been going for quite a few years now. It's a great autumn celebration with lots of food, a band, (which this year was outstanding) and a time for us to visit with family that lives there.

This year it seemed it was a preview for our river cruise that is coming soon on the Danube River. I'm looking forward to the schnitzel. I remember from years ago the schnitzel that filled a plate and all the trimmings that went with it. This year though at PIB I opted for a knockwurst which was delicious along with the kraut, cabbage and potato pancake.

Bob enjoys apple dumplings and there is one booth at the Oktoberfest each year that features them. He insists on going to Oktoberfest on Saturday because the one year we went on Sunday, the apple dumplings were sold out. He got his wish this year and delved into the dumpling and ice cream with great appreciation.

The 25 piece band, The Deutscher Musik Verein, according to its facebook page is from the Cleveland area and is a non-profit that performs about 20 times a year. They were so much fun and the music was terrific!

If you are looking for a great getaway for a day or a weekend in October check out the possibilities at Put In Bay. Book early though if you are staying overnight. This is becoming quite a popular venue. We live close enough to make it a day trip but were amazed at how full the Miller Ferry was at 10:30 when we arrived. The festivities start at 11 so I guess everyone was thinking that was a good boat to catch. For more information on Oktoberfest and the island, check out Put In Bay. com.

Exploring a Geode - Crystal Cave

It's been many years since we have taken a tour of the Crystal Cave at Put In Bay, Ohio. Looking for something new to do with our granddaughter as we visited the island and some family we have there, we decided to introduce her to one of South Bass Island's more unique sites.

The cave is actually a geode that was discovered by workers in 1897 who were digging a well for the Heineman Winery above ground. The walls of the cave or geode are covered in strontium sulfate, a bluish mineral called celestite. The crystals are not as blue as they once were because of the lights that work with the natural moisture in the cave to create a greenish algae.

The crystals of the cave range in size from 8 to 18 inches. Some have been removed to allow enough room for visitors and create a floor to walk on. The removed crystals were used for manufacturing fireworks. It gives off a bright red color.

During prohibition days, the family owned winery was helped to pay its bills by offering tours of the cave since it was not allowed to sell alcohol.

An $8 ticket gives you a tour of the cave and the winery and a token for a small glass of wine or grape juice. We skipped the winery tour since we were running short of time but we did enjoy a glass of grape juice while we waited for our tour to start. Heineman's grape juice has a unique taste totally different than Welch's from the grocery store.

I don't know of anywhere else in the world where you can walk inside a rock. If you can manage the 42 steps down and back up take a look. It's worth the effort.

Through My Lens - Put In Bay, Ohio

Flashback Friday - Ice Fishing with Dad

[This is a post from June of last year but with it being Father's Day on Sunday, I thought it appropriate for a look back today.]

With a grandfather and father who were avid outdoors men, fishing and hunting whenever they could, and a mother who learned to fish in self-defense (besides, at that point she was smitten with the guy), is there any reason to doubt that I would love to fish? I grew up with a fishing pole in my hand. My fondest memory of fishing with my dad though was the time he took me--just me, the daughter, not the son, out on the ice of Lake Erie to go ice fishing.

Our winter weekends were spent at Put In Bay, OH, and once the ice was thick enough, a village of ice shanties would appear on the ice covered water. People actually had old cars usually with doors removed for a quick exit that they would use to drive onto the ice, plant their shanty, and return to fish in it until the ice began to melt as weather warmed.

When my dad invited me along, I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. A whole day on the ice with my father fishing! We took the old car out onto the ice and parked it a safe distance from the shanty. Grabbing our gear, we stepped carefully to the door and stowed what we needed inside and out. Dad had brought a few pieces of wood and a couple of large chunks of coal to stoke the fire he started in the little tiny potbellied stove inside the shanty.

The ice shanty was about the size of a playhouse for kids. It was framed in wood that was covered in treated heavy duty canvas and had runners on the bottom. You couldn't stand up in it. The stove sat in the middle of the floor at the back wall, a hole in the floor on either side of it and a bench opposite each hole to sit on as you fished. Heavy white twine was anchored to the beam above each hole and  looped with a rubber band that allowed you to see the matchstick tied at eye level bobble up and down when a fish bit on the hook.

Live minnows were the bait of choice. I was careful to hold on tightly as I baited my hook since I knew Dad would get frustrated if I let too many get out of my hands instead of on the hooks. We dropped our lines in the water shortly after our arrival and just about the time that the little stove began to pleasantly warm the shanty. Eventually we sat in shirt sleeves in the pleasant little shanty.

We caught a lot of fish that day and tossed them into the burlap bags that hung from hooks in each corner opposite us. When we ran out of bait, Dad showed me how to pop the eye of a fish out and use it for bait. This girl was no prima donna. Whatever it took to fish, I was ready for it.

At noon, Dad pulled out a small iron skillet from the sack beneath his bench and reached in a little cooler for some kielbasa. We ate warm sausage sandwiches, munched on chips and apples and held each other's meal when a fish needed to be pulled in.

All too soon the day ended and we headed home. I think he was proud of me that day. He always grinned when he was proud and that day his grin wide, he said to Mom, "She's a real fisherman." I could not have received a greater compliment.

Lake Erie's Put In Bay

For those of us who live in the Great Lakes area, Put In Bay on South Bass Island is a great place to visit. For that matter, any of the Erie islands are a fun place. Some offer more quiet than others but South Bass has a great little town as well as places to find quiet and some great fishing.

Our kids were going to spend some time with family on the island and we went up for a day to get some more time with the grandkids before they moved on to visit their other grandparents. A little drive time and a short ferry ride and we were there. We rented a golf cart at the top of the hill from the ferry dock. It's always a fun way to tool around the island.

Our first stop was The Goat, a restaurant that has a great menu and our favorite, fish tacos. We have had fish tacos in lots of places around the world but none compare to these. They're made with perch and their sauce is wonderful. Our family joined us and we got caught up with the ones we hadn't seen for a while.

After that, it was off to see some sights and tell some good stories. After all, we told the grandkids, this is where it all started. Where grandma and grandpa met. I think it might have been a little over their heads--especially when we pointed out "our tree." Our grandson wanted to know if we'd carved our initials in it.

"No," I told him and reminded him that the Perry Monument was national park territory. He'd already been briefed on his trip through the Smokey Mountains about the fines for picking flowers in a national park. "Besides, if we had carved our initials in this tree it might not have lived this long." Our tree had been around for at least 50 years and it was a good sized tree back then.

A trip to the top of the monument that was now free of scaffolding after a major renovation project and then we were off to visit the island caves. I'm not sure the grands got the significance of Perry's Cave where it is said they stored ammunition and hid from the British but they were amazed at its size.

The day ended all too quickly for us and we headed quickly back to the ferry to try to beat the gathering storm coming in. Our golf cart had a top but no windshield. We knew what would happen if we didn't beat the rain. Been there. Got wet. We made it in time and sat inside on the ferry as the rain washed over and passed by.

Lots of good memories at Put In Bay. We'd just made some more.

Put In Bay's Butterfly House

Put In Bay on South Bass Island in Ohio was a big part of my childhood and the place where I met my husband. I made pizza and he drove the old cabs--but that was a whole generation ago. Lots of things have come and gone but one that I hope is here to stay for a long time is the Butterfly House at Perry's Cave. It's always a treat and on our last visit, it was extraordinary.


It is a 4,000 square foot aviary, nicely landscaped and filled with hundreds of butterflies of all sizes and colors. There are at least 50 different varieties. The younger kids usually let out a squeal when they first enter. It is fascinating to see so many butterflies in one place.


Lots of walkways take you past beautiful flowering plants and bushes. At any given time there are about 900 butterflies, the attendant told us, with about 200 new ones being released each week of the season.


If you wear bright colored clothing or like one lady, carry a shocking pink tote bag, you will end up with hitchhikers. The butterflies are attracted to the bright colors.


We visited the Butterfly House with our granddaughter who loves to hatch butterflies during the summer. She and her mom plant milkweed and flowers known to attract butterflies and when they find caterpillars, they put them inside a hatchery that keeps them safe from the backyard birds. They feed them and watch the miraculous transformation as the caterpillars form their cocoon and eventually emerge as a butterfly. Needless to say, she thoroughly enjoyed lingering in the Butterfly House.

[A heads up for those of you close to this area or wanting to travel to it soon: There is a big celebration of the anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie with a reenactment to happen in early September. Check it out at the Bicentennial website.]