After far too long a stretch, we finally hit the road for an extended weekend that took us through three states and one Canadian province. Erie, PA, was our first waypoint, chosen so that we could spend an evening with treasured friends we hadn’t seen in far too long. Natives of Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes shore, they’re wonderful story-tellers well versed in the city’s history and unyieldingly hopeful about its future. We have much in common and laugh a lot when we’re together. We all know what good medicine that is.

I’d been to Erie twice before, the first time for work (we all know how limiting that can be) and the second passing through en route to western New York state. Both times, I remember a much more interesting and attractive city than I’d expected. On this return trip, I can report the same, only more so. Erie seems definitely to have shaken off its rust belt image, and the magnificent Great Lake on whose shore it sits has never looked more appealing. On a “perfectly August” Friday evening, the waterfront was crowded with people having an obvious good time. In another part of town, a festival was in progress. The newest buildings looked smart, crisp, and harmonious with the existing architecture; and the Warner Theatre’s smashing Art Deco marquee shone in the dusky light.

Next morning, setting out for the next leg of our trip, we took a detour through the 3,200-acre Presque Isle State Park, situated on a peninsula in Presque Isle Bay. This park, an incredible gem, is a National Natural Landmark. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Presque Isle “is a favorite spot for migrating birds. Because of the many unique habitats, Presque Isle contains a greater number of the state’s endangered, threatened, and rare species than any other area of comparable size in Pennsylvania.”

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center, at the park’s gateway, is a marvelous educational facility, with a design that evokes the lake’s many lighthouses, year-round exhibits and activities on the history and ecology of the region, and a number of delightful features for children.

Who knew how ecologically significant this beautiful area is? I certainly didn’t, but then we Eastern Pennsylvanians have a certain tunnel vision when it comes to the northwest part of the state, which really is a shame. I wouldn’t mind going back to Erie, checking into that new waterfront hotel, spending a a full day at Presque Isle, and topping it off with a show at the Warner.

Reflection…
Over the years we’ve seen a decent patch of Lake Erie; a lovely spot, Sackett’s Harbor, on the New York side of Lake Ontario; and Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago. Even in those limited environments, I have found these massive bodies of water, these mini-oceans formed some 14,000 years ago right in the middle of the North American land mass, almost beyond my ken. Lately, I’ve been daydreaming of seeing the lakes from the Canadian side, which I assume to be less populated, more wild. I can’t even imagine the stunning expanse of Lake Huron or Lake Superior. What do you think? Your recommendations are welcome, as always.

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