We spent 4 nights in Lorain, Ohio, which is where I was born and raised. I went to school here K-12 and graduated from Lorain High School in the class of 1961B. One of my fondest memories of Lorain is the beautiful sunsets over Lake Erie (picture at right). I remember as a kid thinking that we should see steam rise from the water when that red ball hit the water.
The second sunset picture (below) shows Lucky Us at her dock at Spitzer Lakeside Marina in a very well protected portion of the outer harbor.
I will spare you many of the non-marine related details, since the Blog is about our Great Loop Adventure. Lorain has long been an important port shipping out coal and receiving iron ore.
The major industries were US Steel (World's longest continuous tube mill), Ford assembly plant (cars, vans and light trucks) and American Ship Building (built many of the lake freighters, including 1,000 footers). The shipyard and Ford are now closed, and part of the steel mill is owned separately by US Steel and Republic Steel, who together employ about 70% fewer workers. Economically the town has suffered, but its greatest natural resources (Lake Erie, the port and the Black River) offer great recreational opportunities.
No visit would be complete without a swim in Lake Erie... There is a very nice sand beach adjacent to the marina, and the water was 73F, which is about as warm as it gets. If you think that is cold, then remember that the other Great Lakes are all much deeper and colder... When I was growing up, the lake was badly polluted, but today the water is much cleaner although the fishing is still no where near as good as it used to be. Charter fishing boats are numerous, but commercial fishing industry is virtually gone.
Our friend Ann took the Admiral and me on a tour up the Black River to see the changes. She has a 24 foot Sea Ray (aptly named "Sweet Retreat") with a cuddy cabin, which was an excellent venue from which to view the river. The picture at left shows Ann and me discussing something of (no doubt) great importance. Much like the Cuyahoga River (the river that caught fire), the Black River was once heavily polluted. I never remember seeing wildfowl of any kind, except for the ubiquitous seagulls...
On our trip we saw one bald eagle (picture at right) as well as ducks, geese and Great Blue herons in abundance. In one stretch of about 100 yards I saw 21 Great Blue herons along the river bank with 4 more flying above. Also, a short distance further down stream we had passed a huge dead tree with 8 heron nests in it.
One of my favorite photos of the day is this one that shows an Anhinga drying itself on a log while a Great Blue heron stalks the riverbank.
Along with some grocery shopping, we did mange to see two movies ("Jersey Boys" and "Begin Again"). Also, starting back in Erie, PA, I have had fried Lake Erie Perch for 5 straight days! Just gotta feed that addiction whenever I am in the area.
Another pretty picture is of a flock of Anhingas also on some large pieces of drift wood in the outer harbor. As a kid, I had never heard of an Anhinga let alone ever seen one. Such is the Black River today. Much cleaner with far more and diverse wildlife.
The picture at the left is of a Canvasback that spent a lot of time hanging around Lucky Us in the marina. Sorry about all of the bird pictures, but I just cannot believe that there are so many different birds, in particular, here now...
We will be leaving Lorain in the morning and heading west to continue our journey. When we leave, we know that the marina will be in good hands since this Great Blue heron seems to patrol the seawall most of the day!
No comments:
Post a Comment