Who, who is flocking to Lorain County?

Snowy Owl  Photos by Dr. Thomas Mahl

I went to Sandy Ridge Reservation to visit with Lorain County Metro Park's resident birding guru, Tim Fairweather, to see what was ruffling everyone’s feathers in north central Ohio. With good reason, everyone is excited over the recent snowy owl sightings around Lorain County.

Birders have flocked to the Lake Erie coastline in Lorain for a photo op with the visiting snowy owls. The normally rare sightings have turned typical in the past few weeks and hopefully for the weeks ahead. Have you caught a glimpse of these beautiful owls?  Tim reported that the snowy owls have been sighted around the Lorain Harbor and as far south as the Lorain County Regional Airport.

Lorain County is a superb birding destination in any season with a variety of habitats, not limited to the coastline of Lake Erie’s central basin. With more than a dozen birding locations in the Huron & Lorain Loop of the Lake ErieBirding Trail you will find a plethora of options to see a wealth of different species. A great example sits just east of the beautifully renovated Mile Long Pier in Lorain. (Pictured below) This wonderful trail overlooking the harbor and Lake Erie is a perfect spot to enjoy songbirds in migration. A newly constructed platform extends out over the water for optimal viewing.

Step in from the elements at one of our area restaurants and, of course, secure a hotel or bed-and-breakfast for your bird watching headquarters. 

If you would like assistance with your birding adventure, we would be happy to help and are a phone call away 800.334.1673

The Interns Learn What's "SUP"

We Visit Lorain County interns (or "funductors") had another exciting adventure! We hit the water on Lakeview Beach in Lorain to check out stand up paddling (SUP) with Lake Erie Paddler.

Jim teaching on the beach

When Kaitlin and I first arrived on the beach, we watched Jim Lawhead, the founder of Lake Erie Paddler, teach his last class of the day to kids of the Outdoor Adventure Camp through the Lorain County Metroparks. The kids got a lesson on where to be on the board, how to paddle, and how to stand up once they got on the water. After the kids came in from their little trip around the cove, we got to chat with them for a while. One boy excitedly told us about how he loved paddle boarding so much he was asking for a board for his next birthday. Other kids talked about how they were nervous at first, but once they actually did it they realized it was much easier than they thought, and a lot of fun! We also asked the group what their favorite parts were and some of the answers were bouncing on the waves, the challenge when waves rocked their board a bit, or just everything about it!

Jim helping the kids get  settled on their boards

After watching the kids have a blast on the water, we decided to try it for ourselves! Read on for our reactions from our day on the water!

Kaitlin

The interns out on the water

Paddle boarding was so much easier than I thought it would be! I was a little nervous on the drive over, not knowing what to expect. When we first got there I took some photographs of the kids getting ready and actually paddling out on the water. It was fun to see their excitement to try something new! Seeing all of the kids falling into the water made me a bit apprehensive, but after we watched a little closer, it seemed that most of the kids who fell in were being pushed. I'm glad that Melody and I weren't into rough housing on the water! Our instructor, Julie, showed us the basics and had us go out pretty quickly. After our lesson, it seemed that the best way to get better was to practice! I had so much fun! It was great to just relax and float around out on the water. The great thing about SUP is that anyone can do it, which I found out on first hand on our trip! Out of everything to do at Lakeview beach, Melody and I definitely had the best time with Lake Erie Paddler!

Melody

Melody, Kaitlin, and instructor Julie enjoying the lake

Ok, I officially have the best summer internship there is. Going paddle boarding was one of the most fun things I've gotten to do all summer. I was a little hesitant when we first got to the beach (mostly because I had a meeting pretty soon after, and didn't particularly want to get my hair wet) but it looked so fun I couldn't justify hanging out on the beach and just watching. And, as it turned out, I managed to stay dry above my knees, so don't even try that excuse ladies! We were off after a quick lesson from Jim's right hand girl Julie, who is not only a SUP instructor but also really talented in other water sports like kite boarding and surfing! When I first pushed off I had a hard time finding my balance, but once I relaxed and settled into it, it was great! I had so much fun out on the water, and I'd love to get out there and try it again sometime. I have to admit- it's a little addicting.

There you have it! It's a pretty clear consensus; stand up paddling is an awesome way to spend a day. We officially give Lake Erie Paddler the funductor seal of approval! Check 'em out next time you're planning a family day, birthday party, or maybe even date! When you're ready to plan your day with them, make your reservation by calling 440.935.9291 or emailing lakeeriepaddler@gmail.com. 

Spring ahead into a birding adventure

Baltimore Oriole Photo: Tim Fairweather, LCMP 

Birds migrate to Lorain County's lakeside marshes and woodland areas each spring...because they know it's a great place to visit!

As highlighted in the Lake Erie Birding Trail, you will discover different birds at an array of birding spots throughout the county.

Sandy Ridge Reservation in North Ridgeville is one of the most popular birding destinations in Lorain County...be sure to bring your camera to capture the American Bittern and Greater Yellowlegs this spring! You will not be disappointed with an outing at Sandy Ridge in any season!

But don't stop there; a birder can also travel into any number of the Lorain County Metro Parks (LCMP) reservations  and experience a wide variety of species. Continue a wonderful excursion on the shores of Lake Erie at Lakeview Park in Lorain, then to the Vermilion River Reservation and Columbia Reservation...to suggest a few more stops in the LCMP.

Other birding hots pots include Miller Road Park in Avon Lake. This area of the lake doesn't usually ice over so you will see a lot of waterfowl activity. The Oberlin and Wellington Reservoirs are also quite popular.

Our fine feathered friends can lead you into springtime and on a great tour of Lorain County. I am sure you will find some great places to wine and dine along the way.

Here is a helpful map for help you find your way to hot spots for birding:


For lodging or dining listings go to www.visitloraincounty.com or call us at 800.334.1673 and we would be happy to help you plan your next great birding adventure!

Classic Cars Coming out This Weekend!

Model A car at Visit Lorain County's
Visitor's Center 

Restored and ready to ride! Cars that are a blast from the past are all over Lorain County this weekend.

Our very own Visitor's Center on Leavitt Road was the first stop for the Flying Quail Chapter of the Penn-Ohio Model A Club. They picked up some great info and on Saturday plan to stop by local restaurants and historical sites including the Spirit of 76 Museum in Wellington, the Oberlin Heritage Center and Quick and Delicious Restaurant in Oberlin. You can also catch them in Amherst Sunday when they visit the Sandstone Village; so keep your eyes peeled for this fantastic vintage convoy.

Of course one of the most popular car shows around is the Cruisin' Car Show at Mill Hollow, Vermilion River Reservation. Thousands of cars will motor into the park this Sunday Aug 12th starting at 10am! All the excitement is fee free for both spectators and participants.

Vintage Bel Air at Mill Hollow

If you are planning on bringing a car to show remember, it needs to be at least 25 years old. Food vendors, raffles and music by a live DJ will come together to make this 14th edition of the show an all out festival. Then, at 6:30, enjoy your favorite tunes from the 50s and 60s played by Final Approach.

Cruisin' car show at Quick and Delicious

Then, Monday Aug 13th, look forward to another Cruisin' Car Show at Quick and Delicious Restaurant in Oberlin 4pm to close. The antique cars make it out every Monday through the end of the month if you can't make it out next week so be there same time same place!

Christmas in July!

Merry Christmas in July! Celebrate with some special holiday themed outings in the area. All the festive specials and none of the holiday stress, sounds like a plan to me.

Don Mould's Plantation, which has stores in North Ridgeville and Amherst, is having their annual Christmas in July sale! It's your chance to get a gift and treat yourself to something from their beautiful selection of plants and flowers that are buy one get one free.

For the kids, or inner children at least, Sundaes in the Park at Columbia Reservation will be serving up snacks, mini golf and sponsoring movies in the outdoor theater! For this weekend's picture the park will show "The Grinch" featuring Jim Carrey Friday, July 27th.  The show starts at 9pm so bring your chairs and take advantage of the kitchen, which will  be open til 9:30!

Tree House Gallery and Tea Room,
Olde Avon Village

An area really getting in the spirit is Olde Avon Village. The shoppes include Sassy's, an amazing chick boutique with all kinds of great gifts. They are always updating their merch so check their facebook for pictures and sales! Also there's the Tree House Gallery and Tea Room where you can enjoy sales on their unique items, see all their fun antique displays and have meal that's got taste and class. If you are more of an afternoon shopper there's always happy hour/dinner at Strip Steakhouse, definitely one of the area's premiere spots known for their quality ingredients.

Owner Tim Kiedrowski with Snoogles

You can also find some great eats at Kiedrowski's Bakery on Cooper Foster in Amherst where they are rolling out the Christmas cookies. Their cutouts with homemade frosting are definitely crave-able but I don't think anyone would tell if you picked up a signature Snoogle or two while you're at it.

Also your favorite pubs and restaurants kept back some holiday ale with your name on it like Quaker Steak and Lube in Sheffield. You can get the seasonal brew by the pint, tall or tanker today. If you're looking for some other options Moss' Prime Rib and Buffalo Wild Wings have Christmas Ale on tap too!

Jet Express at Black River
Landing by Lorain Port Authority

If you're feeling an adventurous night out you have to go with a cruise on the Jet Express from Black River Landing. This Friday will be a special Christmas in July Cruise to Put-in-Bay. This trip departs at 4:00pm and returns at 12:00am and if your schedule isn't open this week there are plenty of cruise options through October.

Get the details and buy tickets online through the Lorain Port Authority.

Merry Christmas and a happy New...school year?

Get Hooked on Lorain County

Lake Erie is known to some as the “Walleye Capital of the World,” to others as the “Smallmouth Capital of the World,” and to many more the surrounding area is simply called “home." With titles like these, it should come as no surprise that Lorain County has a wealth of public fishing opportunities, including some that aren’t called “Lake Erie.”

If you do plan on fishing Lake Erie, there are a number of public accesses and boat launches, including three in Lorain, one in Sheffield Lake, and another in Avon Lake. Once on the water, drifting or trolling is usually a surefire way to catch walleye. For perch, just anchor down. Many anglers anchor down and jig by the artificial reefs to catch smallmouth bass. For crappie, bluegill, perch, and bass, a favorite fishing method is to fish off of the rocks. You can also catch steelhead, northern pike, and carp on the lake.

If you don’t have a boat, or if you just want a guide who knows the Lake well, there are plenty of fishing charters available as well, including two in Vermilion, four in Lorain, and one in Huron. There are also a few marinas around, such as Beaver Park North in Lorain, Copper Kettle Marina in Lorain, and Romp’s Marina in Vermilion. Looking for gear, need some bait, or just trying to find someone knowledgeable to talk to about how the fishing is for a particular day? Check out some of the local bait shops, such as Bad Boy Bait, Tackle, & More, Erie Outfitters, Grumpy’s Bait Bucket, or Molnar Outdoor.

Don’t forget about the AIM Pro Walleye Series, which takes place from June 28th through June 30th of this year. You can sign up as a pro and take your shot against the biggest names in pro walleye fishing or sign up as a co-angler and have the big-water fishing experience of a lifetime, fishing alongside a pro! It is a Catch-Record-Release (CRR) tournament, wherein the anglers competing will photograph a caught fish on an official ruler, record that length on an official scorecard, and immediately release the fish safely back to the water. The seven longest fish for each day will be the ones “turned in” for the competition. Check out their website for more information and to register!

Now for places that aren’t Lake Erie. First up is Findley Lake, in Findley State Park. Spend the day fishing for bass, bluegill, crappie, and northern pike. If you want to use a boat at Findley, keep in mind that only electric motors are allowed. Next on the list of places to check out is the  
Duck Pond, at Carlisle Reservation of the Metro Parks. Here you can find smallmouth bass, catfish, carp, and sometimes some northern pike. The Duck Pond also has a Raptor Center if you want to check out some birds of prey. You’ve also got the Vermilion River in Mill Hollow, with excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and occasionally steelhead. Keep an eye out for the bald eagles that nest there!

Elyria, too, gets in on the public fishing action. One popular place for carp, smallmouth, and catfish is the Black River, often via Cascade Park. One very important thing to keep in mind with fishing from the Black River is the Fish Consumption Warnings that the EPA has put out for the main stem of the river, both the East and West Branches, and Findley Lake.

Oberlin Reservoir is another public fishing area in the county. Catch bluegill, crappie, catfish, walleye, perch, and bass there, just by fishing off of the shore, as long as you don’t mind navigating the rocks. You can use a boat here as well, but only if you have an electric motor. Also keep in mind their special rules and regulations, some of which--not all--can be found here. 


The Grafton area has a few areas to publicly fish as well. One is the Grafton Reservoir, across the street from Willow Park. While there are special regulations there, it is also home to many bluegill, bass, perch, and crappie. The Black River also runs near Grafton, by Parsons Road. It can be fished for smallmouth bass, catfish, and the occasional northern pike.

Lastly, Wellington has both an Upground and a South Reservoir. Catch bluegill, crappie, catfish, and bass in abundance here, either from the shores or from a boat with an electric motor. One difference is that the Upground Reservoir is more likely to have walleye and perch as well. The Upground Reservoir also has a rockier coast to fish off while the South Reservoir is much greener and has a lot of brush. Again, keep in mind that there are often special regulations for the reservoirs regarding what you can and can’t keep.

Even after all of these, this blog only scratches the surface of Lorain County's possible fishing holes. The county is a welcome place for anglers of all skill levels, and most places are very family friendly as well; fishing in Lorain County is meant to be shared and enjoyed, so get out and do it!

Don’t Let The Winter Weather Keep You From Breaking A Sweat

While hibernating by a cozy fire is seemingly always tempting, for those of us who can’t stand being indoors for an extended period of time, we are lucky to live in a county full of glorious winter sports activities. Make sure to dress for the elements and bring plenty of water if you’re looking to get a workout from any of these. No worries about nominal snow—most of these activities will take place no matter what!

Yes, it’s true—snowshoeing is quickly becoming one of the most popular winter sports activities in the world! Lorain County Metro Parks (LCMP) generously offers guided snowshoe hikes and free snowshoe rental days at various locations. Snowshoeing has been around for thousands of years and is now considered a winter sport—you can burn hundreds of calories in an hour and improve your cardio fitness level! For you first-timers, check out Snowshoe Magazine’s First-Timer’s Guide. Check the LCMP website for dates and times or go out on your own! Also, don’t miss the family-oriented Snowshoeing Games at Lakeview Park on January 22. 

Icicles at Vermilion River Reservation

LCMP also offers guided hikes throughout the season. Learn about the habits of winter animals in the area or gaze at Mill Hollow’s larger than life icicles while you exercise. For a chance of scenery, hike at Common Ground – The Cindy Nord Center for Renewal. This gorgeous retreat is the ideal place to refresh your muscles surrounded by calming, beautiful forestry.

No need to travel to Colorado to ski, get your cross-country skiing fix right here in Lorain County! North Coast Inland Trail, known as the skinniest park of the LCMP, is perfect for cross-country skiers with its long straight-aways from Elyria to Kipton. The Bridgeway Trail, another LCMP site starts at Day's Dam in Lorain and ends at the High Meadows picnic area in Elyria. The expansive 4-1/2 mile trail passes through meadows and forest groves, under bridges and over the treetops on a 1000-foot bridge that crosses the river in two places.

Findley State Park offers snowshoeing and skiing, as well, but adds ice skating, ice fishing and sledding hills to their repertoire. Findley’s Annual Winter Hike (February 5) is a favorite among locals.

Buckeye Trail at Findley State Park, Wellington

Speaking of sledding…rumor has it, Lorain County is home to some of the best hills around! Sledding is a great adrenaline rush for kids and adults. Famous sledding hills in the area include Vermilion River Reservation, Carlisle Reservation, Cascade Park in Elyria, behind Philips Gym in Oberlin, South Central Park in North Ridgeville or behind Golden Acres Nursing Home in Amherst. Do you have the perfect hill you visit each year? Comment below and let us know!

Want the winter recreation without the frozen toes and long-underwear layers? Indoor ice skating at North Park Complex Ice Arena may be your best bet. Don’t hesitate if you’re a new ice skater—there are plenty of instructional classes offered and Open Skate opportunities to practice. If summer can’t come soon enough, indoor kayak lessons at Splash Zone in Oberlin are sure to get your fix. 
We can’t get enough photos of you getting active in Lorain County! Send photos with description, location and name of photographer to visitors@visitloraincounty.com.

Discover a new wintertime adventure just for you—view Visit Lorain County’s Event Calendar!
Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you out enjoying the brisk winter weather!

Get Active: Winter in Lorain County

We’re all resolving to be more active in 2010, so why not have fun while getting fit? Here are a few winter activities in Lorain County, North Central Ohio to help you get out and get moving.

Sledding: not just for kids. You’d be surprised how many calories you burn sled riding! After polling the locals, we’ve determined these are some of the best Lorain County sledding hills: Vermilion River Reservation, Carlisle Reservation in LaGrange, Cascade Park in Elyria, behind Philips Gym in Oberlin, behind Golden Acres Nursing Home in Amherst and South Central Park in North Ridgeville. (If we missed your favorite spot, comment below & let us know.)

Sledding in Amherst, photo by Holly Miller

Cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing is another rewarding activity. Fresh air, beautiful scenery and toned legs, what more could you ask for? Cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing is allowed in all Lorain County Metro Parks, even at Forest Hills Golf Club (when snow exceeds a 3” depth.)

Cross-country skiing in Lorain, photo courtesy of Rona Proudfoot

The LCMP offers snow-shoe hikes throughout the winter season (they even provide the snow-shoes, so there’s no excuse!) Findley State Park in Wellington is another favorite winter locale for cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing. Findley may not provide the snow-shoes or skis, but it’s well worth the investment to experience this park in the wintertime. Try Molnar Outdoor in Elyria to purchase snow-shoes; they carry a selection of Redfeather, a nice, lightweight version.

Both Findley State Park and the Lorain County Metro Parks offer a variety of winter hiking programs for adults and children. How about a Winter Tree I.D. Hike, Mid-Winter’s Eve Hike, or a Hot Chocolate Hike? Here’s a list of the Metro Park’s upcoming programs. The 30th Annual Winter Hike at Findley is Feb. 6th at 10 am; includes 10k, 5k and interpretive lead hikes. According to the folks at Findley, the best part of the hike is the bean soup afterwards!

Buckeye Winter Hike, photo courtesy of Findley State Park

Of course, there are plenty of indoor activities in Lorain County to get your blood flowing. Show off your figure 8s while ice skating at North Park Complex Ice Arena in Elyria or give the Wii a rest and experience real bowling at Rebman Recreation; they have electronic scoring (no thinking necessary) and bumper rails for the kiddies.

Splash Zone in Oberlin added to their already impressive facility, another pool and a Field House with a three-lane rubberized walking track and four volleyball/basketball courts. Sign up for league play or any of Splash Zone’s land and water fitness classes.

Send us your active Lorain County photo; we’d love to see you and your family out & about, enjoying Lorain County. Send photos along with a description and name of photographer to visitors@visitloraincounty.com. Who knows, you may see your photo featured in an upcoming blog entry!

For other ideas on staying active in Lorain County, check out http://www.backroadsandbeachesohio.com/ and http://www.visitloraincounty.com/.