Lake Erie – Coastal Ohio Trail

After more than a week in Michigan, we arrived in Ohio…

…and promptly left to go back into Michigan to see the River Raisin National Battlefield Park.

“River Raisin National Battlefield Park preserves, commemorates, and interprets the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath in Monroe and Wayne counties in SE Michigan. The Battle resulted in the greatest victory for Tecumseh’s American Indian confederation and the greatest defeat for the U.S. The resulting rally cry “Remember the Raisin” spurred support for the rest of the war.” – National Park Service

“In total area, Lake Erie is the twelfth largest freshwater lake in the world and the most shallow of the five Great Lakes. It is about 210 miles long, 57 miles wide, with a shoreline of approximately 871 miles, and has a maximum depth of 210 feet.” – The Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources

“It served as a passage for easy explorers navigation by canoe into the interior of North America and has since become a key link to commercial shipping on the Great Lakes. Lake Erie is an important water resource for recreation and tourism as well as for municipal and industrial use. Its warm, shallow waters harbor a diverse and abundant fishery, primarily known by anglers for fine catches of walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass.” – The Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources

We stayed at East Harbor State Park, which is situated on a peninsula stretching into the waters of Lake Erie. The park also lies on the fringe of Ohio’s prairie marsh zone. “East Harbor State Park Campground is the largest in the Ohio State Park system. It offers Full Hookup, Electric, Non-electric and ADA sites. Pets are permitted at all sites. Other options include a Yurt (ADA), two Sherman Cabins (one ADA cabin), and Group Camping. Reservations are required and can be made online or by phone.” – Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources

“In 1819, the fifteenth U.S. Congress recognized the need for lighthouses on the Great Lakes and authorized $5,000 for the construction of a lighthouse to mark the entrance to Sandusky Bay.” – Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society

“The original tower was 15 feet shorter than it is today, and the light consisted of a fixed array of 13 whale oil burning lanterns with 16” polished brass reflectors to direct the light out onto the lake.  The lights did not flash or rotate, and the lamps had to be refueled every four hours, consuming about 80 pounds (11 gallons) of lamp oil per night.  That oil had to be carried up a series of wooden ladders to the top each day from oil storage buildings on the ground.” – Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society

“A Keeper’s House was constructed in 1822 adjacent to the lighthouse, but keeper Wolcott also had his own private residence about 3 miles across the peninsula, where he also farmed his 114 acres.” – Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society

“As you face east, the popular amusement park, Cedar Point, is visible opposite. Mosely Channel, a north-south shipping route for lake freighters going to and from port in Sandusky Bay approximately six miles to the south.” – Ohio Division of Parks and Recreation

In 2014, 90% of the Great Lakes were frozen solid, the highest level since 1979, according to the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.

On our way out we got a bit of rain.