Even though we both grew up in Ohio, we visited several places last summer that neither of us had been to. Here is one of these great locations you might want to add to your travel list.
We stayed at Cedarlane RV Resort on Catawba Island. While much of this resort is geared toward the seasonal crowd, if you are lucky enough to get a site in the back of the resort, it’s pretty quiet. This is also a great place if you have kids because they have lots for them to do.
Our friends Brad and Paula Fike have a condo on Catawba and they invited us for a sunset boat cruise. Of course, we couldn’t say no to that experience!
Marblehead Lighthouse
The Marblehead Lighthouse on the shores of Lake Erie is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes. The U.S. Lighthouse Society celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Marblehead Lighthouse in 2022.
This lighthouse is one of Lake Erie’s most photographed landmarks, and we could see why. Take the 77-step winding staircase to the top and you’ll experience breathtaking views of Lake Erie, Kelley’s Island, Cedar Point, and the surrounding Catawba area.
You can also visit the museum housing a replica lifesaving station and other U.S. Coast Guard artifacts and displays.
Note: The lighthouse and museum are only open Memorial Day – Labor Day, so check the website above for hours and ticket pricing.
Put-in-Bay
While many know of Put-in-Bay as a party destination on the weekends and during the summer, there is more to this little island than that.
We took Brad’s boat and headed over for a late lunch and golf cart ride around the island. This is the best way to get around, and there are golf cart rental locations in town.
We were surprised to find a war monument there as well. Erected to honor the Battle of Lake Erie, Perry’s Victory Monument and International Peace Memorial is a National Park. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass, it is honored there. If you don’t, you can purchase one at the gift shop.
Kelleys Island
Like Put-in-Bay, Kellys Island is only accessible by boat, but it is much more laid-back. This small island boasts an airport, a campground, shops, restaurants, and even some hardy souls who call this place home all year round.
We took the Kelleys Island Ferry from Catawba over to the island. This ferry shuttles bikes, vehicles, RVs, delivery trucks, and anything else going to Kelleys Island. Check the website for all the details.
After spending the day riding our bikes around the island, which was about ten miles, we stopped at The Casino Grill, which was located on the water. We highly recommend the Bushwacker, which tastes like a chocolate shake. However, there is alcohol involved, so we had to take another trip around the island on our bikes before getting on the boat!
Another Thing
While we were there, our friends, Tom and Carol Frost from Virginia reached out and said that they were in Lakeside, which was about fifteen minutes from us! Of course, we had to get together. It was great visiting with them and catching up on what all our families were up to.
Conclusion
We enjoyed our week on Catawba, visiting with old friends, having delicious food, and exploring the area. We definitely recommend you add this area to your travel bucket list.
We’re Mike & Jennifer Skinnell, and together we are The Rambling Quilter. We travel the country full-time in our 41ft. fifth-wheel pulled by our F-350 – affectionately named Beauty & The Beast. Mike still works part-time, and Jennifer writes our blog, travel articles, and contemporary fiction. Our blog is purely for information and entertainment purposes. However, if you’d like to support Jennifer’s writing career, her author link is below.