Thursday, July 2, 2009
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
Saturday, June 27, 2009
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
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Brisk but enthusiastic start to kayaking season
Some views from this morning’s Keel-Haulers kayak/canoe race. The race was moved downstream where water levels were higher.
Ready, set, goLabels: 2009, kayaking, Lake Erie, race, Vermilion
Monday, March 16, 2009
Time to plan for 2009 North Central Ohio Adventure
Kayaking on the Vermilion River. Photo courtesy of Shawn Newsome. Shawn is the owner of a new campground along the river—Vermilion River Cliffs Marina. (website coming soon)
Kayaking:
Sunday, March 29 will be the annual Keel-haulers Vermilion River Race. Check out the website for information including rules, maps and start times. The Keel-haulers is an organization headquartered in Northeast Ohio with 400 families that share an interest in outdoors and all kinds of boating including whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, rafting and racing.
Run
Oberlin’s 5K Earth Day run will start and finish on Tappan Square on Saturday, April 18 at 10am. Entry fee is $10 per person and the first 75 registrants will receive a t-shirt. For more information, contact the Oberlin Recreation Dept. at 440.775.7254.
Cycling
Seems like it hasn’t been that long since the Lorain Wheelmen’s traditional end of season ride-the Red Flannel that capped off a great 2008 cycling season. Now, it’s time for the Wheelmen’s annual tradition to begin the cycling season-Afrost. The ride will be Sunday, April 19 and begin at 9am. For details check out the Wheelmen’s Afrost Page. The weather this week looks to be great for an early spring ride. Updated Back Roads and Beaches maps are available and can be obtained here and online maps here. See you out there! Labels: 2009, 5k Earth Day race, Afrost, back roads and beaches, cycling, Earth Day, events, kayaking, Lorain Wheelmen, multi-sport, Oberlin, run, Vermilion
Monday, September 1, 2008
Weekend Scenes along Findley Lake
While heading to Findley State Park, we found Fred Thomas of Cleveland pedaling out of Oberlin along the Underground Railroad. He was headed to a local market to pick up some fresh local produce. Fred will be riding Adventure Cycling’s Underground Railroad route to Buffalo.
Further on down the road, renting kayaks at Findley State Park in Wellington is a great way to get in a great workout while enjoying the beautiful southern Lorain County scenery. Two-person kayaks can be rented on weekends for $6 an hour. Click here for more details and contact information.
We saw this group learning the basics of kayaking.
These guys were basking in the sunshine..
Skilled fisherman
Canoeing through the beautiful landscape.Labels: birding, Findley, kayaking, Underground Railroad, visitors, Wellington
Friday, August 29, 2008
Another Beautiful Labor Day Weekend in Store
Clearly, Summer isn’t ready to give in yet! This weekend looks to be another spectacular opportunity to get outdoors. Whether you want to spend the weekend training for next week’s Findley Lake Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon or you want to spend it touring on your bike or kayak, here’s your opportunity. With a host of great art exhibits and galleries , museums, events and farmer’s markets, you surely won’t be at a loss for stops.
We’ll be out this weekend with our cameras looking for Findley State Park mountain bikers, kayakers and the BRaB road riders so you might see us pointing a camera at you.Labels: 2008, arts, biking, cycling, events, Findley, kayaking, mountain bike, multi-sport, Thorn Mountain Bike Trail, triathlon
Sunday, July 20, 2008
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
Thursday, June 26, 2008
This weekend’s suggested multi-sport itinerary: bring your own bike + kilt
Photos by Rona Proudfoot
Starting from the southern portion of the Back Roads and Beaches Bike Route, cyclists can experience culture, food, sports and entertainment from all around the globe. Beginning in Wellington at the Lorain County Fairgrounds, the Scottish Games will be taking place on Saturday, June 28. Not only can cyclists enjoy the variety of food and entertainment, but can experience a true cultural multi-sport experience and enter to run the kilted mile. (must wear kilt!)
Jumping back onto the bike and moving north along BRaB will provide an even more expanding cultural experience. Once on SR 6 along the shores of Lake Erie, biking into Lorain will take you to the Lorain International Festival. The International Festival takes place at scenic Black River Landing in Lorain. Rent a kayak and paddle up to the festival and further up to the Lorain Lighthouse for a twist on this great festival. Just make sure you tie off and reload up on some delicious ethnic carbs before you depart.
Moving further east along SR 6, you can wind down a bit with a visit to Avon Lake’s Arts Fest 2008 at Miller Rd. Park along the Lake Erie shoreline. If you don’t feel like turning around and making your way back to Wellington (where you’ve presumably left your vehicle at Findley State Park), visit one of Avon Lake’s wineries or stay the night at the Fairfield Inn. You can make your way back Sunday and get more great eats at the International Festival on your way back!
Labels: arts, Avon Lake, events, Findley, kayaking, Lake Erie, Wellington, wineries
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Visitors along the Back Roads and Beaches Route
This morning we found the BRaB route abuzz with activity. While taking pictures, we came across a charming couple, Shirley Batton and Rick Guseman. Rick is from California, Shirley, from Marion, Ohio. They were enjoying their multi-sport adventure at Findley State Park, on their bikes and kayaks. Following their trip through Lorain County, their travels will take them to Mohican State Park, then on to Las Vegas, Moab, Utah and Havasu. Rick is a river guide in the Western U.S. and was enjoying scenic, serene Findley Lake. When they were finished at Findley, they were headed over to Wellington Reservation to try their kayaks there. (photos by Barb Bickel)
While watching Rick and Shirley launch their kayaks, a Findley State Park ranger pulled up with a truck-load of fishing gear. The kids looked like they were having a blast learning how to fish! We almost wanted to join in the fun except the sun was getting high in the sky and it was time to head across the park to see what the mountain bikers were up to...
Over at the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail, developed by the North Coast Mountain Bikers, the trail was dry and fast and it looked as if bikers were taking full advantage of the optimal conditions before the big race next Sunday. Findley's mountain biking is great for both novices and experts. Among the twists, turns and jumps, there are options for experts that the novices can easily avoid. We saw all levels of mountain bikers out on the trail and everyone looked happy. It's going to be a big race week at Findley next week because along with Sunday's mountain bike race, NCN will be holding a sprint triathlon and duathlon on Saturday.
Further north, in downtown Oberlin, we found the Saturday morning farmer's market to be brimming with produce and handmade goods. Lot's of cyclists as well! The Oberlin College students are streaming back to town from summer break, once again filling the town with activity (and bikes!)
Labels: back roads and beaches, Findley, fishing, images, kayaking, multi-sport, Oberlin, Thorn Mountain Bike Trail, visitors
Monday, August 13, 2007
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.
