What a ride! It was just over freezing when I started out this morning. Buddy was sound asleep allnight. And when it was so cold outside, we talked it over and decided to wait until it was mid 30’s. Buddy went back to sleep, hogging the entire bed. By 10:15, he was STILL asleep. Finally got him out of bed, and we uncovered the bike, packed up all the clothes, etc.
It was cold…No, it was COLD! But I had purchased a pair of winter Olympia cycle gloves. They have gortex, and cover the sleeves of the heavy leather jacket. In addition, I now fit into my insulated heavy leather chaps (thank you, yes I HAVE lost weight). With all that, I was actually warm. So off I went to into the cold. I stopped for a quick bite to eat, coffee, and to catch up on my blackberry email from work. When on the road, I ONLY eat at the best places, and have the best to eat. This is way too familiar of a sight – fast food, hot coffee, and a map to circumvent the ever-present Ohio construction.
The first stop, after getting lost REPEATEDLY, was Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. The wind pushed me around on Route 2 until I ducked into the Refuge. A beautiful place right along Lake Erie. There are some wonderful hiking trails, but they will have to wait until next summer. Today is a day for riding, staying warm.
As I continue east along Lake Erie, I run into a landmark that anyone will recognize who has spent an afternoon walleye fishing in Lake Erie- The Bessey Cooling Tower. Those who live in the area often forget that we have a Nuclear Power Plant in our back yard. For those who travel east to Cedar Point, or across Ohio on the turnpike there is often amazed that here, right on the Lake in the Mid West is a Nuclear Power Plant. The cloud from the cooling tower can be seen for many many mile, especially during when there is a large steam release.
I continued east as the sun warmed thing up. I passed Port Clinton, and opted to go toward Catawba Island. I stopped at Mon Ami, a restaurant and historic winery.It is purported to be one of the oldest wineries in the region. I imagine that I present quite an image…6’4” in full biker gear, carrying buddy. But DJ was very helpful in picking out a few wines that meet my palette for a dry, white wine. And both she and Margaret were more than happy to greet Buddy with a couple bottles of bubbly at the tasting bar.
Back on the bike, I ride over Sandusky bay. Again, buffeted by the winds, but such a wonderful view of the water. In just a few months, ice will start forming in the area, and the ice fisherman will take over the area. But until then, it is still riding time. I continue on to Castalia. The first stop there is Firelands winery. The last time I was there, I bought a bottle of Ice Wine – a great treat of a very sweet wine made with grapes that remain on the vine until after the first frost. The sugars concentrate to form a very sweet desert wine.
I also picked up a bottle of Chianti. Deep taste, but still light enough for a heavy dinner. Jody was working the wine tasting. Buddy could not resist pushing his luck with this blond wine expert. Buddy was able to solicit a few giggles and a big smile from Jody as I took their picture.
On the way back to Columbus, Buddy opted to ride with the wine stash. I started out from the Firelands Winery with four bottles of wine. I am not sure if any of them are left! I have to admit, it was really my fault.
I decided to stop at a historic scene, at least for the many people that drove across Ohio from the early 1930’s to 1990 – Blue Hole. It was a tourist attraction which boasted a spring fed lake whose waters held no oxygen, and as a result no life. In PT Barnum style, the owner claimed that the Blue Hole was bottomless with all efforts to measure its depths failing.
Families would come to Blue Hole, look deep into the pond, and then picnic along side the oxygenated creek that held fingerling trout darting amongst the vegetation.
But time progressed, and tourists were more interested in the high-energy, heart throbbing excitement of Cedar Point, just down the road. Faced with low visits, and increased costs to meet new government regulations, the owner decided to close the doors.
Blue Hole is now a Ohio Fish Hatchery. Only open during weekdays, it is difficult to visit. However, it is still worth the effort. The quiet hush of babbling brooks, fish breaking the surface, and large grassy areas prime for a blanket and picnic are still there- maybe even better than before. There are hundreds, if not thousands of fish ranging in size from fingerling (an inch or two in length) to lunkers. And the former star of the area remains- Blue Hole. It shows it age, but remains as mystic as it was in my youth.
As I ride the bike back past all the canals, I could still feel the emotion, the excitement, and the near reverence of that quiet area. Blue Hole has not disappeared, but has retired to a serene life that can be still shared with a little dedication.
I left Castalia with a little tear in my eye. I stopped, visited my mother, and then rode on home to the Columbus area. It was growing dark, and the cold was reclaiming its hold on all. By the time I got home, temperatures were down to 40’s.
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