Weekend Excursions in Ohio
Part I - Kelley’s Island

by Rick Brown

There are plenty of great places to visit in Ohio for 3…maybe 4 days. And here is the first of two (part II next issue) I will write about. I would advise not to stay more than a few days. This is especially true of Kelley’s Island. It’s not that I don’t love the place. I really do. But like an old British sports car it is always best when the weather is nice and your plans are firing on all cylinders. I have spent many a weekend on Kelley’s and the one’s that involved rain and cold weather…well…let’s just say I was happy to get home afterwards, especially when I’ve camped. But the State Park has been revamped and is much nicer than when Dan (N.S. webmaster) and I spent a couple “Lost Weekends” there. Here is the beach at the park on a beautiful afternoon last September…which is a great time to visit because the place has less tourists.

Kelley’s Island offers a quaint little town that might get a bit rowdy on weekends during the summer. But it doesn’t come close to the obnoxiousness of Put-In-Bay during the high season. There are far fewer bars and the establishments tend to lean more toward a family pub than beer joint. The exception would be the Casino. Still, it pales incomparison to bars on South Bass Island, where Put-In-Bay is situated.

I will mention that for a quasi-vegetarian such as myself (or vegetarian especially) the island restaurants in general offer a limited menu. I love fish but after a couple meals of deep fried walleye and French fries, which are good, the Island House is a welcome change of taste. There is a more extensive menu and a fairly good wine list. But beware the local wine tastings. Lake Erie wines of this region are still sweet and brutally basic. I would not mention this but the prices are exorbitant for the lack of quality. I winced more at the prices than the taste…although it was a close call at times. There are good Ohio wines…a few. I just have not had any from Kelley’s Island.

Yvonne and I have stayed twice, albeit years apart, at a wonderful bed and breakfast called The Cricket Lodge. Owned and managed by Cleveland natives Chris and Frank Yako, this beautiful Victorian house is both elegant yet warm and comfortable thanks to their hospitality. The Yako’s will make you feel like a member of their family all the while respectful of your privacy. And Chris is an extraordinary cook to boot.

Located by the State Park are the Glacial Grooves, remnants of small gorges ground into the stone by a glacier. Unfortunately the quarry destroyed most of these geological miracles. But the island is rich with history beginning with the Native Americans inhabitants. But I will leave the exploring and epiphanies to you. Kelley’s Island is a wonderful, extended weekend getaway, especially in late Spring and early Fall. I highly recommend you stay, at least for part of your visit at the Cricket Lodge. Tell Chris and Frank I sent you.

And keep in mind…a walleye sandwich is tastier with a BEER!!!

For more information go to - http://www.kelleysisland.com/ .