It is a well known fact that some of the nicest people on the planet hail from the Midwest. The last time I checked, Ohio is one of the Midwest states. Why then, I ask, have these very nice people kept The Big Secret? Ah, yes, they have held The Big Secret for a long time now. I grew up in the Midwest, two states over from Ohio, and I never knew of The Big Secret. How can this be? Well, I am now going to divulge The Big Secret because I know the people of Ohio are so pleasant they might mind, but they won’t seek and destroy me for letting everyone else in on their Big Secret.

The Big Secret is…they have ISLANDS lying off their coast! Wonderful, fun, close-by islands! Chicago has its Lake Michigan lakefront…but it doesn’t have any nearby islands to go visit. The Lake Erie Islands are a chain of 23 islands that lie off the coast of Ohio. The majority of these islands are under the sovereignty of Ohio, however, Pelee Island is administered by Ontario. Now that we know about these islands, let’s go explore them!

I flew into Cleveland the evening before I was to board Seas the Moment. It was a great way to start an excellent charter holiday. Continental Airlines has a hub in Cleveland and I’m not sure when I have last had such a pleasant flight. It was non-stop, on time, no charge for checked luggage and served a snack. Yes, you read that correctly, a real snack, not just a miniscule bag of pretzels! I was surprised by Cleveland. My friends had made all sorts of disparaging remarks about my upcoming trip to Ohio, and even more that I was going to Cleveland. It was lovely. Clean, friendly (of course) with planters of flowers everywhere. I met up with my friends for dinner at a wonderful restaurant that would have been wonderful in any major city. So for all of those people making jokes at Cleveland’s expense: lay off, already. It’s nice!

The next morning we made our way over to the yacht club where Seas the Moment awaited us. She’s a lovely 70’ Azimut and the largest yacht at the yacht club. In fact, she was the largest yacht everywhere we went. Yet, any larger and she wouldn’t have fit into the marina at Rattlesnake Island Club, which was the first island we visited. The Lake Erie Islands lie almost equal distance between Cleveland and Toledo, and just off the coast of Sandusky. However, since no major airline flies into Sandusky, it made sense to meet Seas the Moment in Cleveland and enjoy the two hour ride over to Rattlesnake Island.

The short cruise over was a good way to unwind from the stress of work, traveling and trying to do too much, which is everyone’s life these days. We were soon pulling into the marina at the Rattlesnake Island Club. Rattlesnake Island is an 85 acre piece of heaven owned by 65 members. The only way to visit the island is if you are a member or a guest of a member. Lucky for me, the owners of Seas the Moment are members, and we were warmly welcomed. All guests chartering Seas the Moment are accorded the privilege of visiting Rattlesnake Island, which is a major advantage of chartering her. As soon as you step off the yacht, an almost eerie sense of serenity comes over you. First of all, it is quiet; except for the soft slap of the waves, the breeze in the trees, the rustle of the wildflowers and the sound of pheasants calling. Wait a second…pheasants? On an island? I have no idea how they got there, but there are definitely pheasants, and the hens weren’t too happy if you got too close to their brood.

We hopped onto golf carts, which are mode of transportation on this lovely island, and drove around to the other end of the island where the accommodations are located. Since there were so many of us on Seas the Moment (this is what happens when you have too many friends!), several of us stayed in the very un-rustic cabins. Which was fine, it meant we were closer to the Island’s excellent restaurant and close to its cozy pub! The pool was also in this area, as was the bocci ball courts, tennis courts and miniature golf. There was also a pair of boxes about two feet long, higher on one end than the other. There was a hole cut into the top of each, and what appeared to be bean bags lying close by. I was to learn later these boxes and bags make up Corn Hole, a game where the bags are tossed into the hole. Okay, I grew up in the Midwest and had never heard of this game before, but judging from the laughter of the people playing Corn Hole, they were obviously having a great time. Oh yes, there was a Ring Toss game in the pub. I’m about 1 for 1,500 tosses, but there were a couple of guys who were, well, “ringers”.

The whole beauty of Rattlesnake Island is the privacy and solitude. There is plenty to do, in fact, there is even a 9 hole golf course. Okay, it is 4 holes, played from various tees, to make 9 holes. Did I mention that the airstrip makes up the better part of the golf course? Please note: local rules dictate that the planes are allowed to play through.

There were several trails through the woods. You can’t get lost, but you can lose yourself to the beauty. I did manage to find a lovely area filled with wild black raspberries. There were a lot fewer by the time I left, even though they tattled on me with their tell-tale stains on my lips and fingers. Sun-warmed falling-off ripe raspberries just might be one of the best treats in the world. Rattlesnake Island is an enchanting place. I hated to leave. All too soon we were off to our next port of call: Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island.

The Battle of Lake Erie, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Put-in-Bay, was fought on September 10th, 1813 during the War of 1812. Nine vessels of the U.S. Navy, lead by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, defeated and captured six vessels of Great Britain’s Royal Navy. This ensured American control of the lake for the remainder of the war, which in turn allowed the Americans to win the Battle of the Thames and break the Indian confederation of Tecumseh.

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial dominates the entrance to Put-in-Bay. Standing 352 feet tall, the walls are 9 ¼ feet thick at the base and taper to 5 ¾ feet near the top. If you climb to the top, the view affords a great vantage point for observing the Lake Erie Islands. To the west, about 15 miles away, is West Sister Island which is currently a National Wildlife Refuge and haven for many species of shore birds. To the left, just off the tip of South Bass Island is Green Island. The first lighthouse was built in 1854, but burnt in 1864. It was replaced in 1865 and that lighthouse operated until 1939 when the Coast Guard replaced it with an automated light on top of a tower, which is very practical, if not romantic. Looking south, you can see Catawba Point and Marblehead Peninsula. Inside Sandusky Bay, off the south shore of Marblehead, is Johnson’s Island. In October, 1861, Johnson’s Island was designated a Confederate prisoner of war camp and by 1863, nearly 2,600 confederate officers and men were imprisoned there. To the north lie the other Bass islands, Middle and North Bass. On a very clear day you can also see Hen and Chicken Islands and East Sister and Middle Sister, all in Canadian waters.

Climbing on back down from the Memorial, it’s now time to explore! The locals refer to Put-in-Bay as the “Key West of the Midwest”. Hmmm, I do agree that it is a terrific place for viewing the local wildlife! The village really caters to adults. Young adults, that is, over the age of 21. The drinking age is very strictly enforced here, as is the “no open alcohol containers in public”. Consider yourself warned. Since my friends and I were safely over the age of 21, we wander around and visited the various drinking establishments. The Beer Barrel reportedly has the longest bar in the world. I’m inclined to agree. It’s not just a long straightaway, but the multiple side bars that all add up to one very big bar. We found our “home” in the Round House, which has been in business since 1873. I think some of the same people are probably still there since it opened. They sell Buckets of Beer there. Oh no, not the usual Bucket of Beer with ice and bottles of beer. No, here they sell Buckets of Beer. For $29.50 you get a big red bucket…filled to the rim with beer. You are handed a few plastic cups and a baggie of ice and you have become an official “Bucket Head”. I just can’t imagine what your head would feel like the next day. The Boat House was another rockin’ establishment. They all featured live music…very much like Key West. But not quite so laid back. Or at least I didn’t observe as many flip flops as one would see in Key West. Or any sunburned cruise ship passengers! Yes, there is a fudge shop and a lovely carousel, those not withstanding, Putin- Bay is very much an adult playground.

One of the first things you’ll want to do when you get to Put-in-Bay is to rent a golf cart. Once you have your transportation sorted out, there are several things to do on South Bass Island beside climbing the Perry Memorial and abusing your liver. Like chocolate? Then a visit to the Chocolate Café is a must. There is a selection of wonderful chocolates and a museum devoted to chocolate…don’t eat the exhibits! Further up Catawba Avenue is the Heineman Winery and Crystal Cave. Established by the Heineman family in 1888, the winery is still owned and operated by the family. Demonstrations of island-grown grapes being pressed into grape juice and wine will give you something to talk about as you sip your complimentary glass of the results at the end of the tour. The Crystal Cave is located underneath the winery. A tour of the cave will put you inside the world’s largest geode, surrounded by spectacular crystals. If it’s really hot out, there is also another cave you can escape into. Perry’s Cave is also located on Catawba Avenue and offers a 20-minute narrated tour of the underground cave where Commodore Perry discovered drinking water for his men. The underground stream running through it has a constant temperature of 50º year round.

The next day Seas the Moment headed over to Kelleys Island, passing by Middle Bass Island on the way. Middle Bass has long been known for its wine. The island was acquired by a German count in 1856 and by 1875 the Golden Eagle Winery was reputed to be the largest wine producer in the United States. The Lonz family acquired the business in 1884 and owned and operated it until the death of George Lonz in 1968. The state of Ohio has purchased the winery with the intention of turning it into a park. The castlelike stone structure is easily seen from the water. Since wine is no longer made on Middle Bass, you can visit St. Hazard’s Microbrewery instead! Further north, across the invisible line that separates Canada and the U.S. is Pelee Island, also know for her wine industry. Hmmm, perhaps the next trip should be a Wine of the Lake Erie Islands Tasting Trip!

It was a perfect Midwestern summer’s day as we headed Kelley’s Island. The sun was sparkling as we littered Seas the Moment’s many lounging areas with various towels as everyone assumed full “sun tan positions”. Perfect cruising weather, and all too soon we arrived at Kelley’s Island. This particular island became the property of the Connecticut Land Company in 1817. The CLC divided the island into 13 lots and gave them to the stockholders of the company. The Kelley brothers, Datus and Irad, began to buy parcels of land in 1833 and soon owned the whole island. Obviously, if you own an island, you get to name it after yourself, and let’s face it, Kelley’s Island is a whole lot catchier sounding than Island #6, which is what it was previously known as! Kelley’s Island is family-friendly, almost appearing to be Normal Rockwell-like after the bustle of Put-in-Bay. Hop onto a bike or rent a golf cart to visit the island. Dominated by natural areas, there are miles of hiking trails and a pretty sand beach area perfect for creating sand castles. One Must-See thing is the Glacial Grooves. This small island is home to the most spectacular glacial grooves in the world. They really are incredible, with several information plaques to help you appreciate what you are gazing at even more.

Since you have transportation, you can enjoy one or both of the trails. The North Shore Loop goes past the “old crusher and lime kiln” and through thick woodlands before you travel along the shoreline. The East Quarry Trail follows the edge of an abandoned quarry and Horseshoe Lake. Yes, as a matter of fact, there IS a winery here: The Kelley’s Island Wine Co., you can find it on the East Quarry trail.

Kelley’s Island proclaims itself to be the “Walleye Capital of the World”. That title not withstanding, we ended up at the Village Pump for a perch basket and its signature drink: a pitcher of Bandy Alexanders. The extremely congenial host assured us that the Brandy Alexanders were from a recipe his grandmother had given him. They were very tasty and we carefully avoided drinking them too quickly because ice cream headache hurts even if it is from a Granny-Brandy Alexander! By the time we returned to Seas the Moment, Kelly, our chef was already tinkering with ideas for a Seas the Moment signature drink. His food is so excellent, I look forward to finding out what drink he will concoct!

On our final day Seas the Moment returned to the mainland, but to Sandusky rather than Cleveland. Sandusky is a short 12 miles from Kelley’s Island and you can see the roller coasters of Cedar Point the whole way. Next stop: Cedar Point Marina. Let the good times roll!

Cedar Point was established in 1870 by George Beckel, making it the 2nd oldest amusement park in the U.S. After years of activity, it fell upon hard times, but new owners in 1960 built the present day marina, which served as a catalyst to spring board the park back and surpass its former glory. Today, Cedar Point is home to more rides and roller coasters than any other park in the world. It has been awarded the Golden Ticket Award: “The Best Amusement Theme Park” for nine consecutive years by Amusement Today, an international industry newspaper. Enough talking and accolades, let’s go have some fun! First of all, Cedar Point is all about roller coasters: they have 17 of them. Blue Streak is a traditional wooden roller coaster built in 1964. Don’t let it fool you. You’ll spend half the ride in the air as you drop over multiple humps. Hot Shot Dragster is not for ‘fraidy cats. You are launched down a straight-away, then up 420’ (second highest in the world) before you spiral back to earth. Speeds of up to 120 mph. The whole ride takes 17 seconds. It will take another hour to get your stomach back. Don’t miss the Maverick, the newest roller coaster star: it gives you 2 ½ minutes of thrills, including a 105º drop. We weren’t there long enough to do them all, you really need to get there when the doors open to even try to accomplish that. The day ends with a fabulous multi-media show that has everyone cheering and singing along with. Cedar Point: another Big Secret that the good people of Ohio have been hoarding.

The cat is now out of the bag, the Big Secrets have been exposed: a fabulous array of islands to sample and a heart-stopping amusement park. Who would have dreamed this was all here in the Midwest? Now you know, too. It’s perfect: plenty to do, easy to get to from anywhere in the U.S., prices are in dollars not Euros and no passport is needed. What are you waiting for?