Once Upon a Blue Planet

Family Day at Put-in-Bay
South Bass Island
Saturday, May 16, 2009

Join fellow educators, their families and friends on a day long excursion to South Bass Island, Ohio, location of the quaint Village of Put-in-Bay. Visit The Ohio State University Stone Laboratory facility. Walk through the world’s largest known geode. Tour a limestone cave. Enjoy historical museums and the spectacular view from the top of Perry’s International Peace Memorial. Walk through a butterfly house. Enjoy island fudge. Shop. Take a winery tour. Rent a golf cart to explore the island. For those wishing to partake in the renowned island nightlife, motel accommodations can be arranged.

http://www.putinbayphotos.com/aerialtour4/PIB/s_060611aerial390.jpg
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
 

We will meet at the Port Clinton, Ohio ferry terminal for a 10:15 sailing directly to Put-in-Bay. Upon arrival, you may choose to rent a golf cart or bicycles to tour the island. If you wish to walk, most attractions are within10 minutes of the dock. A scheduled tour of Stone Labs is being arranged.
 
 

image from http://put-in-bay.com/maps/islandmap.html
Road and points of interest map of South Bass Island
Caves are located at #2 and #4

For those unfamiliar with the island, there is a large city park directly across from the ferry dock. It has a playground and public restrooms. The village of Put-in-Bay surrounds the park on three sides and abounds with shops, restaurants, and adult beverage establishments. Perry’s Monument and International Peace Memorial is immediately adjacent to town. It offers a museum with a diorama and film about the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. There is an elevator to the top of the monument where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding islands. The Perry’s Cave complex, about a mile from town, offers a limestone cave with an underground lake, miniature golf, gemstone sluicing, a butterfly house and a maze. Across from Perry’s Cave is Heinemann’s Winery and Crystal Cave. A tour of both includes the chance to walk through a giant geode and sample glass of wine or grape juice.

Perry's Cave is rumored to have been discovered by Commodore Perry. While it was most likely discovered by one of his sailors, the fact remains that it has been well known and extensively used for nearly 200 years. This has resulted in it being denuded of features like stalactites and stalagmites. The most notable feature in this cave is the subterranean lake. It's level rises and falls with that of Lake Erie, so it is assumed they are connected. Divers in scuba gear have descended into the lake, but their bubbles hitting the ceiling of the chamber dislodged so much sediment that visibility was reduced to the point further exploration was impossible. To date, divers with rebreathing equipment have not attempted exploration. For a 360 degree panorama of Perry's Cave, click here.

The caves on the island are highly commercialized. Perry's cave also offers "gemstone mining", a rock climbing wall and miniature golf.

Owned by the Heineman family, Crystal Cave might be best saved for last. What is billed as the World's Largest Geode was discovered while digging a well to supply water for the family winery. Today, admission includes a winery tour and the opportunity to sample either their wine or non-alcoholic grape juice. The climate around Lake Erie makes Northern Ohio an ideal grape growing area. Measuring 10 meters in diameter, the cave is lined with the evaporite mineral celestite or celestine, which is a Strontium sulfate related to gypsum. Although rarely found, it has limited commercial application, the most common use being the mineral that burns red in fireworks.


 

Return ferries to the mainland run until midnight. For those wishing to stay through evening festivities, a block of hotel rooms is being reserved.

Approximate costs for the trip:
Round trip ferry $ 28.00 per adult
Close in ferry parking $ 2.00
Golf Cart rental $ 13.00 per hour, $ 75.00 per day
Bicycle rental $ 4.00 per hour, $12.00 per day
Perry’s Monument $ 3.00
Perry’s Cave $ 7.50
Butterfly House $ 7.50
Crystal Cave $ 6.00

Group discounts may be negotiated.

Souvenirs, fudge, beverages, etc. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Call or email Mike Hickey for reservations.
440-725-5628
mikeshickey@yahoo.com