Around Lakeside

Tom and I are currently on the shore of Lake Erie near Lakeside, Ohio.  Lakeside is the mecca for United Methodists in Ohio.  It is where we have Annual Conference every year, and during the summer there are all kinds of programs:  chaplain’s hour every morning, worship in Hoover on Sundays, exercise, concerts in the evenings, and lectures on various subjects.  There are also wonderful activities outside:  putt-putt golf, sailing, swimming, a splash park for little ones, tennis, and shuffleboard.  The little downtown has stores and restaurants that are fun to visit.

My parents have owned a cottage at Lakeside since I was ordained.  Once they retired, they decided to spend their summers up on the Lake, so they basically live here from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  They really enjoy the programs at Lakeside and volunteer in many different activities.  So we are spending this week with them and enjoying some of the sights the peninsula has to offer.

Our primary purpose in being here has been to spend time with them before we take off for a few months.  Dad made a list of projects around the cottage and we have worked our way through the list:  painting registers, painting doors, and repairing a few little things.  Not a very long list but we are glad to help do what we can.  Last night we watched the Browns and Indians games together, alternating between them whenever there was a break in the action.  The Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 3 to 2 (Go Tribe!) and the Browns won their last preseason game 33 to 13 over the Chicago Bears (Go Browns!) so it was a good night.

We also like to play games.  Yesterday we played dominoes and my dad won – as usual.  We haven’t made it down to putt-putt golf yet, but I’m sure we will.  We will also play Uno and shuffleboard and probably a few games of euchre.

We have also been exploring a little bit of the area.  Tom and I have enjoyed East Harbor State Park.  We rode our bike to the beach – more than a mile from the campground – and enjoyed walking to the inlet that divides the park from rest of the peninsula.

Mom modeling a sweater I knitted for her that fits perfectly!
Too sandy to ride, Tom walking with the Tandem along the trail to the inlet
The lovely beach at East Harbor State Park
Not a lot of people at the beach
The Marblehead Lighthouse
Sailboat with Kelley’s Island in the background
South Bass Island with Perry’s Peace Monument
Meadowbrook Marsh Preserve
Water lilies and Bluestem grass
Tom and Mom walking along a trail at Meadowbrook Marsh
Some of the signs at the Marsh were a little confusing

Yesterday we drove around the peninsula.  We climbed to the top of the Marblehead Lighthouse and enjoyed the gorgeous clear view.  We also walked around the Meadowbrook Marsh Preserve in the center of the peninsula.  East Harbor and the Meadowbrook Marsh are prime areas for Ohio birders.

We are enjoying our time around Lakeside.  When I am here for Annual Conference we are busy all week with business sessions.  So it is nice to be able to relax and explore and take our time enjoying the sights and our family.