Lake Erie at the End of Summer

Lake Erie at the End of Summer

The car ride to the lake always goes by quickly, as quickly as the peach stands and cornfields that pass by our windows with a blur. The second I decide to stop for fresh produce is the second that we have already passed by the stands proudly on display by the side of the road. But I always know that one last stand remains before we catch the ferry, and that’s where I’ll buy my peaches and corn.

The two-hour drive north to Lake Erie may be a short distance, but I always feel like I am entering another state. The air becomes a bit chilly and the open lake waters appear like the vast ocean, stretching for miles and miles. I always forget that I am in Ohio.

This trip was no different, with the exception of the rain. The rain that fell and fell like buckets being dumped from the dark gray skies. The rain that filled our tent, soaked our clothes and left our shoes to make squishing noises as we ran between the droplets. The bathrooms seemed so much farther from our site this year. It must have been the rain.

In our moment of weakness, and wetness, we sought out shelter. Literally. But the inns and resort were all booked. We had a moment where we almost jumped back on the ferry to spend the night at an indoor water park, but in a way that seemed like cheating. And we certainly don’t cheat in our family. We don’t quit either.

While the rain brought us down, it must have also been the rain that lifted our spirits because suddenly we decided to embrace and enjoy it. We headed to the general store where we loaded up on tarps, umbrellas, rain ponchos, steamers and Americanos. And of course some bribery toys since we vetoed going to the water park.

I will never forget that moment on the front porch of the Kelley’s Island General Store. That moment when our clothes became so drenched all we could do was giggle as we wrung out the extra water. That moment when we barely had enough coins to purchase a penny from the collector machine, but magically a quarter appeared hidden in my pocket and everyone was able to have a souvenir.

When we returned home, I safely placed the souvenir pennies in each of the kid’s books and silently hoped that I tucked those memories away for a lifetime.