Closing in on Kelleys Island on the western basin of Lake Erie. An extremely popular island for boaters and vacationers alike. Kelleys is one of many islands in Western Lake Erie with the most famous being "Put-in-Bay." The water around the islands is crystal clear and the walleye fishing is considered the best in the world. Since both of us had been to Put-In-Bay, we decided to select Kelleys.
Stayed at Portside Marina which was packed this Saturday night.
Our palates were treated to delicious New Orleans cuisine at Island House. We chatted our dining experience away with a local couple and a several other visiting couples.
An OSU Buckeye bar. Where's the UM And MSU bars? Of course - this is still Ohio.
Outdoor bar and restaurant - Dockers.
This is a happy place filled with people eating and drinking!
Captain's Corner Restaurant.
Unique fence out front with a nautical theme.
Attractive stone home.
This three story home with a widows peak was built by island co-founder Addison Kelley in the 1860's. "A unique feature of the mansion is its amazing free standing spiral staircase, rose colored cut crystal windows, and handsome woodwork." The mansion was purchased by Mr Lemley with the intent of refurbishing the home to its previous grandeur. During this time he also offered tours. Rumor has it that when his efforts to have it placed on the National Register of historic places fell through so did his refurbishing efforts and the tours.
The gravity defying staircase inside the mansion.
It truly is an awe inspiring stone home.
Wooden front doors with beveled glass.
Other homes and/Inns of interest on Lake Shore Drive.
Can you see the statue of Mary in the recess just under the apex? Then look at the door above "Vi's" store sign. The first step is a doozy.
We rented a golf cart for two hours to tour the island. In the middle of the island we came across this church celebrating its 150th birthday. The excitement of being able to tour the interior and capture its beauty in pictures was cut short when I walked through the door and ran into the priest as he was preparing to start his procession up to the altar. A sign of the cross and an amen later I departed.
Limestone rock is below.
Underneath the roof lies a large limestone rock that features faint "pictographs" drawn over a number of years by Native Americans from the Erie tribe. "White settlers in the mid-19th century named the piece Inscription Rock. The Kelley's Island Historical Society believes that the carvings date to roughly 1643, and that the rock was used by the Native Americans to impart information to one another about how the hunting had been in the area, and where their group would next be traveling to."
Details of the rock.
Glacial Grooves Memorial is the "world’s largest and most spectacular examples" of glacial grooves. These grooves were scoured into the native limestone bedrock by the advancement of the Wisconsin glacier 30,000 years ago.
Detailed info on the grooves.
Additional information.
We left with hopes of reaching Detroit but pulled into Middle Bass Island because of high winds and rough seas. A steady stream of boaters were departing mid-day Sunday as we pulled into the marina. We wished them luck on the high seas that they would soon encounter.
Grabbed a bite to eat at J. F. Walleye's.
Cute outdoor patio seating with a shallow pool for adults and children to cool off and spend the day. We were treated to some poor live music that afternoon.
Before leaving we posed for a pic.
"The prominent historical feature of the island is the area containing the old Wehrle-Lonz Winery complex (originally referred to as the Golden Eagle Wine Cellars). This Winery complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1986 and is often referred to as containing the “heart of island history”. On a regional level, the Winery was considered one of the largest and most proficient producers of wine and grape juice products in Ohio, as well as throughout the Midwest. The winery continued to prosper well into the 1960s and was known not only for its high quality product, but also as a popular tourist attraction. After George Lonz's death in 1969, the vineyards were neglected by subsequent owners and operators, and was sold in 1976 at public auction. Paramount Distillers bought it and conducted tours by trained guides, beginning with a multi-media presentation followed by a visit to the century old wine cellars, and concluded with a wine tasting in the cellars."
On July 1, 2000 tragedy struck the Lonz Winery when a terrace collapsed leaving one dead and dozens injured. Lonz Winery was purchased by the state of Ohio and Middle Bass Island State Park was established in 2001.
There currently are no plans to refurbish the winery. What a tragedy to see this landmark left to deteriorate.
We watched the sunset.
And in the morning, the sunrise.
Michigan here we come !
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