The much anticipated, 27-mile waterway was finally dedicated on July 1st. The
Water Trail, if you hadn’t heard already, extends from Vermilion downstream to Lake Erie, along the shoreline, and up the Black River to Elyria. These waters have always been open to public access for kayaks and canoes, but an official state Water Trail designation means signage, boat ramps, increased parking, maps, points of interest, the ever-important hazard warnings, and launch docks.
For fans of adventure sports in Lorain County, this is great news. Never before have the county’s waterways been so easy to utilize. And because the different segments of the Water-Trail are so diversified (it’s the only state designated water trail to combine rivers and open water) the fun is open to all different ages and experience levels. And it’s the perfect complement for the
Back Roads and Beaches Bike and Multi-Sport Route. With little planning or effort, that day-long bike trip you’ve been planning can turn into weekend-long multi-sport adventure.
At the trail’s dedication, state and local officials talked about the unique value of a designated water route in a county like Lorain. Sean Logan, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, calls the Water Trail a gateway between the civilized and natural realms, a place where individuals can enjoy all the beauty and excitement that nature has to offer in a safe and fun environment. Chief Pat Dillon of the State’s Division of Watercraft, reported that Lorain’s on the cutting edge of a statewide movement—kayak and canoe use in Ohio’s lakes and rivers has increased by 34% since 2003, and kayaks and canoes represent 20% of all registered watercraft.
Chief Pat Dillon, State Division of Watercraft
But all this aside, what’s the best thing about the Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail?
It’s still free. Only now, with the added help of the Metro Parks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, enjoying the waterways and surrounding wildlife of Lorain County has never been easier.
For interested beginners, the Metro Parks are currently offering kayaking classes at Splash Zone in Oberlin.
Kayak rental is available on the Black River through Great Lakes Kayaking, and plans are pending for a similar service on the Vermilion River.Labels: Black River, kayaking, Lorain County Metro Parks, Vermilion
Another beautiful day paddling on the Black River
With blue skies, abundant sunshine and the Lorain International Festival along Lake Erie today, I thought it would be a great day to rent kayaks and take my ten-year old daughter kayaking on the Black River from Lorain, OH. Here are a few scenes from the (rented from Great Lakes Kayaking) kayak. 
Note to cyclists who were diverted over the Henderson Bridge last year: YES this is the Berry Bridge and YES it is OPEN! Cyclists riding along SR6 portion of the Back Roads and Beaches Route.
I just can’t take enough pictures of these herons although to really take a good picture of these elusive and camera-shy birds, you have to have a really good lens, good camera and a lot of photography skills. Click here for a better example of a great blue heron on the Black River. There are so many birds on the Black River that I never see anywhere else, and they always thrill me when I see them.
Labels: 2009, birding, Black River, events, kayaking, Lorain
A kayaking trip up the Black River in Lorain
Bird-watching on the Black River is spectacular. Click here for more information. Black River Landing in Lorain is also known for being station 100 of the Underground Railroad. Last year a monument was placed here at Black River Landing, paying homage to the abolitionists who risked their lives by helping slaves escape to Canada.
The Charles Berry Bridge in Lorain is the second largest bascule bridge in the world.
Sailboats head out for an afternoon of racingA great place to tie off and have a bite to eat.
Appledore V, a 65' schooner takes Lorain Port Fest attendees on a public sail. Click here for today’s schedule. Click here for more info on kayaking along the Back Roads and Beaches route. Labels: birding, Black River, events, Jackalope Restaurant, kayaking, Lake Erie, Lorain, multi-sport, sailing
Cycling through Underground Railroad History in Lorain County
"If I am dying for Freedom, I could not die for a better cause, I had rather die than be a slave."
-John Copeland
Lorain County proudly served as one of the final stops along the Underground Railroad. Slaves traveling to Canada often passed through this area until about 1861, following Frederick Douglass's advice to follow the North Star to freedom in Canada. Lorain County provided a direct route to Lake Erie as northern Lorain County borders Lake Erie's central basin. Some found the area so safe, they lived out their lives here. Oberlin is also honored to be known as one of the nation's most pioneering communities in equality and integration. Oberlin has been called "the town that started the Civil War" due to it's role in the fight for civil rights. Oberlin and Wellington were the sites of a famous slave rescue in 1858 that was said to have raised consciousness nationwide regarding the anti-slavery movement.
Lorain County's Underground Railroad history can be explored along the Back Roads and Beaches tour. Much of the Back Roads and Beaches Tour is part of Adventure Cycling Association's Underground Railroad Cycling tour that travels from Alabama to Canada. Cyclists completing the Adventure Cycling tour might want to spend some extra time here and explore our historical and cultural offerings.
Points of interest beginning in the southern end of the tour, near Findley State Park:
25600 SR58 (Huntington) Rev. Ansel Clarke Home. Not open to the public. Former home of abolitionist and Congregational Minister Ansel Clarke. Home is thought to have harbored fugitive slaves.
Oberlin College (Oberlin) Students and faculty were especially active in the Oberlin Anti-Slavery Society, others took part in the rescue and harbor of fugitive slaves. In 1835 the College trustees agreed blacks should be admitted to the College. Oberlin College was the first college to admit black women. Mary Jane Patterson, the first black woman in the world to receive a college degree (in 1862) attended Oberlin College.
181 E. Lorain St. (Oberlin) Station #99. Bardwell House. Not open to the public. Former home of missionary and abolitionist Rev. John Bardwell. Fugitive slaves hid under the eaves of the house where sliding panels opened into dark passageways.
First Church in Oberlin: Corner of Main and Lorain Sts. Built in 1842. The First Church was the meeting site for the Oberlin Anti-Slavery society and the site of the funeral for Lee Howard Dobbins, the four-year old fugitive slave buried in Oberlin.
Westwood Cemetery (Oberlin) Morgan St. Here lie former slaves, famous abolitionists and many who have become known as Oberlin's faces of change. Walking tour maps can be obtained by contacting the Lorain County Visitors Bureau.
Oberlin Heritage Center (Oberlin) 73 1/2 South Professor St. Oberlin has a powerful and nationally significant history that visitors can experience through guided tours at the Oberlin Heritage Center. Visitors will hear stories and see buildings associated with the founding of Oberlin, African-American history, the Underground Railroad, women's history, scientific discovery, and missionary, temperance, and other reform movements. Visitors will tour the 1836 Little Red Schoolhouse, the 1866 Monroe House, and the 1884 Jewett House.
Station 100, (Lorain) Said to be the mouth of the Black River and shores of Lake Erie. Many slaves departed here to freedom in Canada. New monument to escaping slaves erected in 2007 at Black River Landing, Lorain.
Upcoming Historical Events along the Back Roads and Beaches Route
The Lorain Port Authority presents A Taste of History along with the fourth annual Antique Show on the River presented by Black River Historical Society, August 18, 2007 at the Black River Landing. An all day event featuring music, shopping, food, boat rides, wine-tasting, and tall ship tours!
Walking Tours of Oberlin!
The Oberlin Heritage Center will be offering new guided walking tours of Oberlin, focusing on Oberlin's history through its architecture around Tappan Square. The tour will be offered three times this fall: Friday, September 14th at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 6th at 1:00 p.m., and Friday, October 12th, at 1:00 p.m. Enrollment is limited so reservations are required and may be made by calling (440) 774-1700 or by sending an email to tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org. There is a $6 per person fee ($4 for Oberlin Heritage Center members). The tours will be canceled and refunds will be made if it is raining at the start time. The tour starts at the Oberlin Heritage Center's Monroe House at 73 1/2 South Professor Street. The tour is also available by appointment for groups.
October 13 at Black River Historical Society, Valley Vagabonds are sponsoring a historical and beautiful architectural 10k or 5k walk. This walk will take you by interesting and scenic points in Lorain. The start is between 9 a.m. - 1p.m. finish by 4 p.m. In addition, the new President of the National Volkssport Association from Washington state will also be there to answer your questions on this international walking sport. Walk for free, credit, or award and credit. The award is a Linden leaf pin in our leaf series. The national website is www.ava.org and the club website is www.geocities.com/valleyvclv/. This walking sport is for the whole family since you do it at your own pace. If you have questions, please contact Deva Simon 440-572-1675.
Labels: Black River, events, History, Lorain County, Museums, Oberlin, Underground Railroad, walking tours
View from the kayak
Kayaking is a big part of Back Roads and Beaches Multi-sport tour. Kayaks can be rented in the southern portion of the BRaB tour at Findley State Park or, in the northern portion, at Great Lakes Kayaking. Yesterday, my family and I rented kayaks at Great Lakes Kayaking and were treated to a unique view and experience in Lake Erie. Great Lakes Kayaking rents double kayaks so my 7 and 8 year olds were able to tag along with the grown-ups and I didn't have to worry about them wearing out.
This proved to be a great way to get some exercise and teach the kids a little about the environment. They especially loved kayaking under the Charles Berry Bascule Bridge where they could look up and see the cars traveling over them. A little further up the river, the kids loved the choppy waters and sailboats that sweep by the lighthouse. We didn't venture out onto the lake but found our little Black River excursion to be enough of a workout.
As seen by the full parking lot at the Port Authority launch ramp, Sunday was a big day for smallmouth bass fishing as well. There was a rather large tournament going on so we shared the river with quite a few bass boats. Lake Erie is especially well-known for awesome walleye, smallmouth bass, steelhead and perch fishing. There are numerous charter boats that can take small groups out for a half day or full day of fishing.
As for kayaking, if you're bringing your own, there are a number of great places to launch for a Lake Erie adventure. Vermilion has a Municipal boat ramp where you can launch your own kayak or canoe. Vermilion is currently working on developing a kayak trail of the Vermilion River. Other good Lake Erie Launching points include the Lorain Port Authority Lakeside Landing and the Black River Wharf Boat Launch (where kayaks can be rented). If you're planning the day around kayaking Lake Erie, just east of the Black River you'll find Spitzer Lakeside Marina and the Jackalope Restaurant. If you leave your kayak at Lakeside Landing, you can take a break and have a bite to eat at Jackalope. Outdoor seating with a view of the marina and Lorain Lighthouse are available.
I can't forget to mention the birding along the Black River! We saw a number of different birds, Great Blue Herons that were busy fishing, Sandhill cranes, Magnolia Warblers and Mallards.
We feel very lucky to have all these awesome natural experiences so close to home. Hopefully the kids have some new memories and a better appreciation of our environment and recreation. And I hope they are inspired, as I am, to continue to explore and protect our natural resources.
Click here for more information on the Back Roads and Beaches Multi-Sport tour of Lorain County/North Central Ohio.
Labels: birding, Black River, fishing, kayaking
The much anticipated, 27-mile waterway was finally dedicated on July 1st. The Water Trail, if you hadn’t heard already, extends from Vermilion downstream to Lake Erie, along the shoreline, and up the Black River to Elyria. These waters have always been open to public access for kayaks and canoes, but an official state Water Trail designation means signage, boat ramps, increased parking, maps, points of interest, the ever-important hazard warnings, and launch docks.
