Tour de Loop Scoop: Erie, Pennsylvania

It was a beautiful cruising day heading to Erie, PA. Erie is Pennsylvania's 4th largest city and the only Pennsylvania Port on the Great Lakes.

The lighthouse on our starboard side marks the entrance into the channel which leads to Presque Isle Bay. Sheltered by Presque Isle Peninsula this natural bay is home to approximately 16 marinas.

Good price, WIFI, laundry facilities and close proximity to downtown were the main factors in our decision to stay at the Presque Isle Yacht Club. In the background is the Yacht club.

The marina was located behind the Marriott which is located on an inlet in front of the Yacht Club.

Maritime history highlights for the area.

Sitting on the tip of Dobbins Landing is the 175' Bicentennial Tower. Perfect place to view the bay and downtown area.

Remember, you read about Medina, NY and their sandstone. Below is another example of how it was used.

This road survived the 1800's. I see a trip and fall waiting to happen on this street!

The stone path above led us to this pub.

And a mighty fine pub it twas.

We were famished which led us to commit one of the 7 deadly sins - gluttony.

Which drove us to church to confess our sin and ask for absolution.

St. Peter Cathedral, 1873 which is Constructed of Medina sandstone.

"The style is Gothic in the French Victorian tradition."

Side view

Side entrance to lower level.

Side door with curved stairway.

Front entrance, side door.

Closer view

Detail carved wood pieces with St. Peter and St. Paul door handles.

The church was actually open.........okay, because they were preparing for a funeral. So, I snuck a quick peek. Stunning interior to match the exterior!

Luther Memorial Church

Another late 1800 church.

"Built in the 1860s, the row of elaborately ornamental commercial buildings extending along North Park Row and State was the showplace of downtown Erie in the Civil War era. Rounded window openings on the ground floor, elaborate window moldings on upper floors, projecting cornices and elaborately shaped pediments carried out the Italianate tradition." One of the buildings that anchored this district was the Exchange Building which sits on the corner above.

To the right of the Exchange Building down State Street. Check out the pictures in the top floor windows of the Sherlock building.

To the left side of the Exchange Building down North Park Row Street.

Next building down on North Park Row Street.

Warner Theatre which was commissioned to be built by "the" Warner Bros. in 1929 and actually built in 1931. It is an Art Deco and French Renaissance styled theatre. It is currently undergoing a expansion and restoration.

This house and the houses below are located on West Sixth Street in a section which is listed as a National Historical District.

Even some missing pieces on the wrought iron fence don't distract from the charm of the home nor the fence.

One day we took a short 5 mile walk down the bay shore.

Watched and listened to a little stream action.

For me, this works. The indigo home on the left and the cedar shingle home with green trim on the right looks great together!

Overlooking one of the marinas.

Nightfall with a storm blowing in. Let's scan the area around us via pictures.....

This is where we are glad to have gotten back to the security of your boat before the skies open up. And, open up they did.

We stayed here for 4 days. 3 days due to weather and 1 day for repairs. I am holding an impeller which brings the water from the outside of the boat and circulates that water around the internal cooling engine water. Had the one piece completely separated (see top of the impeller) it could have clogged the heater exchanger or the oil cooler and caused the engine to overheat, aka, $$$$. Don't have to worry about that now!

The clouds were still hanging around in the morning when we headed west but according to the weather report there were no storms in sight which is how we like to travel which is safely. Love how the rays from heaven make their way through the clouds and spread them across the water and beyond!

At the end of the day we pulled into the Mentor Harbor Yacht Club for the night. The clubhouse menu features Taco Tuesdays which includes not only tacos but margaritas as well - ole! But, you had to sign up and by the time we got there they were sold out so we had to settle on another dish. Had a ball chatting with some of the club members who were also dining at the bar.

Had a surprise that evening. Bill's sister and brother-in-law, Lynn and Jay, happened to visit some friends for dinner and a short cruise that evening at the next marina over. When their friends heard where we were staying they drove the boat over to welcome us.