Stay home, stay safe, wash your hands. That is what we have been hearing now since the middle of March. I don’t think anyone ever imagined we would be at home with our lovely children quite that long. If you are suffering a bit of cabin fever, believe me you are not alone. I do not think I will ever hear the Happy Birthday song again without a bit of a cringe even if I am not washing my hands.
My 2020 planner has a lot of rescheduled items and has now primarily become a log of the stay at home orders. (Some days read like the “Sad Cat Diaries”) To add insult to injury, Mother Nature cannot seem to decide which season we actually are in. All this quality home time with the family has led to many people plugging into social media, streaming videos and gaming systems. But I see a light at the end of the tunnel and it is time to give the homebound family what they probably need the most, SPACE and a Digital Detox.
So grab a few snacks left over from your quarantine stash, put away the electronics and take a road trip. I felt staying away from the chaos that is erupting in our larger cities was the best course of action so I am sending you to a great hidden gem along the shores of Lake Erie.
Painsville Township Park is located at 1025 Hardy Rd in Painsville Twp, Ohio. The 37 acre park hosts a play ground, picnic tables, space to enjoy the outdoors and an absolutely cool 200 foot pier that juts out into Lake Erie. Yep, you read that right, a pier. It is ADA accessible and has benches and even some covered areas. It was completed in October of 2017 and is a wonderful place to sit and watch the waves, fish or take photos of incredible sunsets.
I was so very happy to find this little known treasure on so close to us. More information can be found at www.lakemetroparks.com
If the pier itself does not entice you to make the excursion then travel just a bit farther to Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park. Although the lifeguards and concession stands are not in operation currently due to the Covid 19 restrictions, you are able to access the beach and boardwalk for building a sand castle or taking a stroll. Swimming is currently at your own risk so be aware of any little ones. Bring water and drinks with you because the drinking fountains are currently shut off. But a bit of good news, it appears the restrooms are in fact open. The Park is located at 301 Huntington Beach Drive in Fairport Harbor Ohio.
The area boosts not just one, but two lighthouses. The Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse is not open to the public, but if you bring a pair of comfortable shoes you can walk the break wall to reach the base of the structure. The Fairport Harbor Historical Society Marine Museum and Lighthouse is the first museum of its kind on the Great Lakes as well as the United States. Reportedly haunted by a grey ghost cat, the lighthouse has been featured on the Discovery Channels “Weird, True and Freaky” TV show. Virus changes are in effect but they anticipate tour requests to be accepted starting June 15th. For more up to date information about the lighthouse tour and museum as well as pricing and contact info please visit www.fairportharborlighthouse.org
Remember to bring your camera with you to capture the sights and memories you will likely make on your trip. Don’t forget to also bring your face mask and your hand sanitizer as many places you may need to stop for fuel or snacks will have restrictions. But in the words of some of my older family members “It is time to get out and blow the stink off”. You can travel to these locations on the scenic byway or perhaps you can go cross country near some of the covered bridges. However you choose to go, just remember, a true road trip is a wander and not all who wander are lost.
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