PUT-IN-BAY EXPEDITION!

It was a commemorative coin from the U.S. Mint's series on state quarters, that was probably the seed that was planted, making me want to see the subject of this 2013 twenty-five cent piece.  Up until I saw this quarter, I was familiar with most of the subjects embossed on the state quarters.  In fact, I published an article about the Indiana State Quarter, called "The Quarterly Expedition", that you can see in the archives, dated May 23, 2011.   However, I had to do some research to find out what the "Perry's Victory" quarter was about, and where in Ohio, it was located!  

 

Getting to the location of the Perry monument involved boarding a ferry at the Cataba Island dock, in Ohio,  then cruising a few miles across Lake Erie, to land on the dock of Put-In-Bay Island (www.visitputinbay.com).   I had traveled this far on my quest, on a big motorcoach,, as a part of Making Memories Tours (www.MakingMemoriesTours.com), so a boat ride was a nice change of pace.  Although a few cars are allowed on the island, our group went on foot, and walked onto the ferry.  For people whose bladder starts to spasm, as soon as they see a big boat on the water that might not have a toilet, you can notice there is a port-a-potty located in the holding area, just before boarding.  

While we were in the holding area, I noticed some of the people in the group in front of us, were wearing the uniform of National Park Service employees, so I assumed they were taking the ferry to Put-in-Bay (abbreviated PIB), to report for work at the National Park Service Perry Victory Monument.  The EMS worker, accompanied by an empty stretcher, is a reminder to say there is no hospital on PIB, so avoid having an accident, which would probably involve a helicopter flight to the mainland!

 

Getting onto the ferry involves a bit of walking and stair-climbing, so keep this in mind, when planning your visit.  

This is the view from above, where most people go, once aboard the ferry.  

When we disembarked from the ferry on Put-In-Bay Island, we hopped onto an open-air trolley, to get a narrated tour around the island.  

The cart driver gave each of us a souvenir PIB bag, that had maps of the island, post cards, attraction brochures, and a souvenir ink pin.  

 

Many visitors rent golf carts during their visit, and the rental office is adjacent to the ferry landing.

 

I was thankful not to have to deal with driving, because it gave me hands free, for taking photos!

 

Our tour package included a fifteen dollar meal voucher, so the tour driver was pointing out places where we could use the voucher, such as the easily-accessible Burger and Fries cafe.

 

PIB has a nickname of "Key West North", and even has a miniature replica of the famous Key West, Florida, landmark:

I decided to use my meal voucher at a cafe on the boardwalk, that allowed me to sit on the deck and watch the boat traffic. 

At the Boardwalk, I noticed a small poster advertising harbor tours, on a decommissioned Coast Guard boat, which caught my interest, because I have a friend on active duty in the Coast Guard:

 I saw a man on on the boat preparing it to set sail, and he told me that no advance reservations were required, and I could go on the next tour, which left in five minutes.  He took the payment with my credit card, and VOILA!  I was cruising like a cadet, in a decommissioned Coast Guard vessel.  The boat only holds six customers, and it departs, even if there is only ONE customer, which was the case today!  The Boardwalk looked entirely different from the water, than it did from the land!

We circled the C-Shaped island, which gave us a good view of the Perry Monument:

 

The boat captain put the boat in neutral, and came down from the upper bridge, to where I was sitting, to see what questions I had about the tour, so far.  I asked if he would take my photo, and I explained I usually lift my arms in gratitude in a photo, to give thanks to God for getting to see a particular scene.  He very skillfully lined up the shot, so it would appear as if I had the Perry Monument, resting in the palm of my hand!

The harbor boat tour also cruised by the dock of The Ohio State University Stone Laboratory, that conducts fresh water research.  When I posted photo of this on Facebook that day, a friend from my church commented that he had done some of his graduate studies in environmental science at this location, and lived in the "castle" building which housed students at that time.  

When the very enjoyable 45 minute boat tour ended, I disembarked, and started walking back through the main part of town.  That gave me the opportunity to enjoy the shaded tranquility of DeRivera Park

Across from the park, is the hundred-plus year old Round House, which has a very colorful interior, as well as its distinctive exterior shape:

 

Eventually my walk down main street led my to the site of the National Park Service Facility :

After getting my obligatory NPS rubber passport stamp, showing the date and the location, I watched the short video, telling about the famous Battle of Lake Erie, which was a part of the War of 1812.  Then it was time to study the diorama that had miniature ships, depicting their location during the battle.  I thought of my son when I saw the diorama, because he often sets up battle dioramas on a large tabletop, with miniatures, to re-enact famous and imaginary battles.  

 

The statue that is depicted on the Ohio quarter, is the centerpiece of the Visitor Center.  I had done a bit of studying of the War of 1812, due to attending its centennial celebration in Baltimore.  The story of that event is in a blog I published called "A Very Admirable Expedition!", that can be seen in the archives, dated June 22, 2012.  

 

It is the Battle of Lake Erie,  that made the phrase "Don't give up the ship", famous:

Since my son has the word "ship" in his name, I bought one of the souvenir flags, for him to hoist on the mast of his sailboat!

 

Another famous phrase from this battle, is the one Commodore Perry wrote to his commanding officer, and was painted on the wall of the visitor center:  "We have seen they enemy, and they are ours."

The confidence that Commodore Perry had, reminded me that students of the Word can have that same confidence, because they know the triumphant conclusion of events, because of what the Bible says in Revelation 19:19-21.  "Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.  These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone."

 

Before I arrived on the island, I had been looking forward to getting to visit the top of the tower, to brag I had been in the tallest structure that was part of the NPS system.  However, it was not to be.  In celebration of a huge AMERICA 250 event taking place the following weekend, access to the grounds surrounding the tower, as well as the tower itself, were closed off to the public, as NPS workers were giving it a thorough scrubbing and paint touch-up to get it ready for the big celebration:  

 

This photo shows an empty lawn around the tower, but this will be a much different scene, when the America 250 Celebration opens the grounds to the large crowds expected: (Flags were at half mast in recognition of the death of U S Senator Lindsay Graham.)

 

After a very informative visit to the NPS Visitor Center, it was time to head towards the meetup place for our group, to take the free Downtown Bus, that would take us back to the ferry dock:

At the ferry landing, cars were beginning to line up, as well as several folks who had come on bicycles, including recumbent bicycles:

Once on board the ferry, a person takes the stairs to the upper deck, where we enjoyed a beautiful, sun shiny day, gliding across the water, while meditating and giving thanks for the gorgeous weather, and the many blessings of living in the beautiful United States of America!  This trip to Put-In-Bay, Ohio, gave me "MILES OF SMILES"!  Tricia

Note:  In addition to being "motivated" to travel to a spot shown on a state quarter, it was nickel, that inspired a visit to Monticello, as shown in blog called "MONTICELLO EXPEDITION!", dated April 6, 2017.  Likewise, the blog titled "FDR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY EXPEDITION",  dated April 17, 2026, tells the background of the Roosevelt dime.   Wonder where my next "coin trip" will be??!!


ADDENDUM;

I was thankful to receive this photo, indicating my son had received the "Don't Give Up The Ship" flag and decal, that I mailed him!

 

 

PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE EXPEDITION!

Although I am not a Numismatist, I have always been interested in the geographical locations depicted on various USA coins.  This blog is about visiting the place depicted on the state quarter of Michigan, which is a tree atop a bluff, surrounded by water, and a line leading the eye OFF the bluff, to the edge of the engraving.  I was delighted to get to see and photograph that very tree, and the bluff it grows on, this past summer, at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (www.nps.gov), in Munising, Michigan.  

 There is a poster on display at the park headquarters,  by a talented photographer, that had this famous tree lined up to coincide with the sunset, shown below.  I learned that "line" I was seeing in the artwork is actually a tree root, extending from the isolated pedestal bluff, over to the soil of the bluff on the mainland.  

 

To get to Pictured Rocks, go to Munising, Michigan,  (www.munising.org), and in the area near the dock, you will see a repurposed historical, building that has been turned into the National Park Service Interpretive Center:

Notice the sign as you enter, says "Welcome" in several different languages.  Even though I didn't see the language I grew up with (which would be Howdy y'all!), I found the exhibits there very informative.  

The large, framed map on the wall, helped me get some perspective on where I was, in terms of geographical location.  In addition to being the access point for cruises to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising is also an access point to the Grand Island National Recreation Area, and Hiawatha National Forest.  

Just below the NPS Interpretive Center, a visitor will see a large sign, showing the building where folks can purchase their tickets to take a sight-seeing cruise to the famous lakeshore.  The big blue building also has clean restrooms, and a huge gift shop.  

The building is located next to the dock on the south shore of Lake Superior, where boats such as this one, make numerous launches per day, to take the thousands of visitors they welcome, to get a "picture of the 'pictured rocks'!"

I noticed there was also a radar-equipped NPS boat for use by U.S. Park Rangers.  

My first visit to this area was in June, with a group of ladies who were on their way to do the International Bridge Walk at Soo Locks (see blog in archives titled "International Bridge Walk Expedition").  I wanted to include the photo below, to show that it is possible for a wheel chair to get onto the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise.  A large area at the back of the boat is the only place where guests are allowed to stand up, so my friends Diana and Peggy, were able to have a fantastic viewpoint to see the shoreline, standing beside Helen in the wheelchair.

 

Another lady in our group (Diane, in pink jacket) took a position on the front row, of the top deck .

I stayed on the top deck some of the time, (where no standing is allowed), and also ventured down for part of the cruise to the standing area at the back of the boat.  Can you tell from my uplifted arms that I am thankful to be here!!?  ( My gratitude extends also to the fact that I was able to visit the site pictured on a DIFFERENT state quarter, which was Ohio.  You can read about that location in a blog in the archives called "Put-In-Bay Expedition"!)

Since Diane had commented about how much she enjoyed being on the top deck, on the very front, especially when the boat eased into the tiny cove, I made a point to head for that position, when I returned to do a second Pictured Rocks cruise, a few weeks later.  (Standing up was allowed as long as the boat was moored, so it gave me a chance to see some of the other watercraft docked at the marina which included sailboats and cabin cruisers.)  

One of the historic man-made structures the boat cruises by, is the East Chanel Light House, on Grand Island.   The wooden building was constructed of wood, and first opened for service around 1868, for the purpose of leading boats from the channel east of Grand Island, into the Munising Harbor.  However, the light was hard to see from Lake Superior, plus it was difficult to maintain, so it was removed from service in the early 1900's.  It's school-house/church-like structure reminded me of another NPS sight, with the appearance of a church, that is located on the Channel Islands (see blog in archives called "Anacapa Island Expedition!",  dated September 10, 2016).  

When we cruised beside sand beach, with its adjacent waterfall, we saw several folks enjoying both the water and the land.  Our guide told us this is one of the few places along the lakeshore, that is somewhat accessible by car.  Hence, it is the place where many hikers start their trek on the popular hiking trail, that is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail.  

Guided kayak tours are available, and popular during the summer months.  However, the information I read about kayaking, emphasized the "crumbly" nature of the sandstone cliffs, and that boaters must be cautious and aware of the possibility of rock falls.   In the early 2000's, one of the "turrets" of Miner's Castle crashed into the lake below.  Fortunately, no one was close by when this happened, but fishermen happened to observe the event from a distance.  

This natural arch is a very popular place for photographs.  

In addition to arches, the erosion caused by wind and water and the freeze/thaw cycle, also produces shallow caves with the cliffs.   The kayaks used for the guided tours, are the type where the paddler is enclosed in a rubber "apron" attached to the kayak.  The reason for this is to keep the kayak from filling with water, in the event of a large wave.   I published a story about my sea kayaking experience, where I was enclosed in a rubber "apron" snapped onto the kayak, in a blog titled "San Juan Islands Kayaking Expedition",dated July 4, 2020, that one can access in the blog archives.  

The National Lakeshore extends for about 13 miles, and with some of the cliffs reaching as high as 200 feet, the imagination can get very creative in trying to make recognizable "images" out of the various formations.  Our guide told us many people see an Indian head in this formation below: 

This arch shows the gigantic chunk of stone beneath it, that fell into the water, to create the arch.  

Our guide told us that the protection from harsh weather, provided by the blocking effect of Grand Island, is what accounted for the fact, that some parts of the cliffs, have trees growing from the vertical spaces.  

We passed by one area that had structures with roofs, that have been placed by the park service to provide overlooks for visitors, who are not coming by boat.  

 

Some of the people standing on this overlook platform, waved at us as we cruised below them.

There are several waterfalls within the National Park area, and this one is called Bridal Veil Falls.  The constant presence of falling water, (even though it was barely a trickle when I visited) is enough to give the appearance of a very long bridal veil:

These colorful rocks are one reason this place became the first National Lake Shore, in 1966.  Groundwater seeping through the sandstone leaves bright stripes of color---iron creates red and orange, copper creates blue and green, manganese creates black, and calcium creates white.  

I mentioned that one's imagination can create stories from what the eye sees.  The markings of the bluff in photo below, reminded me of black and white vertical striped "bar codes", that one sees on almost all packages these days, that will link to the product manufacturer.  

I imagined this bar code to be pointing to the "product manufacturer", with the message from the famous words of Jesus, when the Pharisees told him to quieten down his followers.  He said, "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."  Luke 19:40.  

The photo I took this summer, of the tree growing on the pedestal, makes me concerned for its well-being, because its color is not a vibrant green, like those on the surrounding hillside.  However, even if it lost all its green branches, the resulting bare branches would still make it a good "perching" tree for the bald eagles that find dead trees to serve as their overlook for any prey they can use down below.  

There is a narrow opening in the cliffs called "Chapel Cove", which our boat captain very skillfully, maneuvered the entire length of our boat into.  

When the front of the boat was inches away from the end of the cove, two hikers who were on the trail above us, greeted us with a friendly yell.

 

As the boat was backing out of the cove, I snapped a photo of Helen sitting in her wheelchair in the stern area, and like the way the bluffs on either side of her head, illustrate what a narrow passage we were in!

The tour I went on in June with the Arkansas group, took place around mid-day.   When I went back with the Making Memories Tour group (www.MakingMemoriesTours.com) in August, we booked the sunset tour.  That sunset event was delightful, and completed our grand tour of each of the five Great Lakes, with the opportunity to cruise the waters of each of the lakes.   Now we were headed to our respective HOMES.  I learned that the word "HOMES" can be a mnemonic device to help one remember the names of the lakes, with the first letter of each name---Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior--spelling "homes".    These experiences "Up North" gave me "MILES OF SMILES"!  Tricia