“Presque Isle” is French for “almost an island”, and this state park is on a long narrow peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie. There are several miles of hiking and bike trails. It’s a great place to have a picnic lunch and look for wildlife. I had a good time here.  🙂 Some photos: … More Presque Isle State Park

Yes, indeed, another zoo.  🙂 Erie isn’t a big town, so the zoo here is kinda small. But it is very nicely landscaped and has a nice collection of animals. Alas, the weather here has not been very cooperative–it’s been in the low 70s all week (which is downright COLD for a Florida boy like … More Erie Zoo

The Erie Maritime Museum commemorates the naval Battle of Lake Erie that was fought in the War of 1812. An American fleet under Oliver Hazard perry defeated a stronger British fleet. Both Perry’s battle flag (“Don’t give up the ship” and his message announcing the victory (“We have met the enemy, and they are ours”) … More Maritime Museum

Technically, Erie is on the shore of Presque Isle Bay, which is an arm of Lake Erie. Some photos from a walk along the lakeshore. The marina Fishing boat Sport fishermen with their catch The “Victorian Princess” takes tourists out onto the lake A show featuring water-powered “jet boards” The pier and Bicentennial Tower The … More Lake Erie Waterfront

I’ll only be in Erie for a little while and it’s supposed to rain off and on, so I might not get to see very much.  

Located right in the city, Swan Creek Park is run as a wildlife preserve, and contains several miles of hiking paths. Some photos from an afternoon walk. Inside the park I don’t know what birdie this is, but there were a lot of them flitting around OK, not sure what’s going on here…. I think … More Swan Creek Park

This is a nice place to walk around and have a picnic lunch. I’m not all that into plants, but places like this always attract lots of birdies and such too, so I’m always on the lookout for local wildlife. Some photos: The garden Statuary Water Lily In the Rose Garden Wildflower Another wildflower Ornamental … More Toledo Botanical Gardens

In 1794, General “Mad Anthony” Wayne defeated a coalition of Native American forces at Fallen Timbers, which opened up the Northwest Territory (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin) to American settlers. Some photos from a visit to the battlefield and memorial. The park A memorial honoring both the American troopers and the Native American warriors According … More Fallen Timbers Battlefield

Fort Meigs was built by General (and future President) William Henry Harrison during the War of 1812, when his attempt to capture Detroit and invade Canada failed.  The Fort withstood two attempts by the British to capture it. On the day I visited, there was a gathering of re-enactors there, representing periods from the War … More Fort Meigs

The battle at the River Raisin happened in 1813, during the War of 1812, as part of the American attempt to invade Canada. About 1000 American militia and troops faced off against 600 British troops and 600 native American allies (part of Tecumseh’s Confederacy). The Americans were pushed off the battlefield, and the next day, … More River Raisin Battlefield