My wife and I stayed on South Bass Island for three nights last week.  It was a nice stay... best of all, my wife HAD to ride her bike to get anywhere  :evil:.

 

Most of the around town photos were taken in motion on my bike.  I didn't really take any close up downtown shots... it's very nice but for some reason I chose not to.  Again, excuse the bike poses I cannot help myself.

 

On the mainland, buying tickets for the ferry.  Only the small bag on the ground is mine.

 

Seagulls drafting the ferry:

 

My bike, the pack mule.  I think I could ride it like this if everything was secured with rope.

 

 

Kayaking in the bay.  I dropped my mother-in-law's cell phone into the lake.  You can see the Perry monument is under construction:

 

 

Here you can see the roof of that god-awful downtown tiki hut

 

The Doller house

 

Sunning snake

 

 

 

Ice house (not the beer)

 

 

Hotel Victory ruins:

 

 

 

South Bass glacial grooves

 

My passanger

 

Bees were all over this stuff

 

 

My favorite home

 

My wife's favorite home

 

 

 

 

Sea... lake wall by the monument

 

The former Lonz winery on Middle Bass Island

 

 

Seven Gables

 

 

 

 

I'm guessing this was a bird?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Showing off on my bike.  No hands and no looking... a little drunk too.  So smart.

 

My camera sat nice and close on the handle bars

 

Swiped some grapes.  These were so good, I rinsed them off first of course.

 

 

 

 

 

Huh...I was on South Bass just last weekend.

 

Nice set.

We left on the third (Friday), we like the slower week days.  Oh, and because our anniversary is on the 2nd.

Great photos; it looks peaceful and relaxing there during the week, and a good time to avoid the weekend PIB drunk-fest.

 

I like your bike; it's a perfect vacation take-along bike. Bar-tip shifters with North Road handlebars are uncommon, but seem like they'd be perfect for comfort and convenience.

 

In the third photo, the antique car on the left is a 1926 or 1927 Ford Model T. Ford introduced the Model T in 1908 with color selections available and went to all black after 1913 because the paint was inexpensive and durable and reduced production costs. By the mid-twenties Henry Ford realized that the model was hopelessly outdated compared with cars from competitors like Chevrolet. The last couple of years' Model Ts were spruced up with a few color selections and wire-spoked wheels while Ford prepared to introduce the more up-to-date Model A.

Great stuff!

Looks like you had a great time.

In the third photo, the antique car on the left is a 1926 or 1927 Ford Model T. Ford introduced the Model T in 1908 with color selections available and went to all black after 1913 because the paint was inexpensive and durable and reduced production costs. By the mid-twenties Henry Ford realized that the model was hopelessly outdated compared with cars from competitors like Chevrolet. The last couple of years' Model Ts were spruced up with a few color selections and wire-spoked wheels while Ford prepared to introduce the more up-to-date Model A.

 

There's an antique car club on the Island and a parade every Sunday (2pm) with all of the antique cars.  Usually about 50-75 cars in the parade...the one this past Sunday (and Monday for the holiday) is typically the biggest of the year. Some of them more antique than others (you only have to be 25 years old to qualify for a historical plate) but still a pretty good collection...if you're ever in the area on a Sunday...

Yes, there were maybe 2 other similar cars for sale on the same stretch of road.  At that era I just see "nice old car" but I can't really tell them apart.  It is pretty amazing that a car can last that long... were they really that well made or were the survivors just pampered?

Ok, I checked google and see there is a pretty big difference between the Model T and the Model A.  I think the others that I saw must have been the Model T.

Looks like a good trip!  A some color in regards to the photos:

 

The Tiki Hut you reference in the picture....I think it's called "Mojito Bay".  It's new this year and has mixed reviews.  I haven't heard any complaints about the roof, but the bar stools are swings and apparently not too comfortable.  And the "floor" is all sand which I guess gets messy and hard to clean up.

 

The monument is under renovation.  You can see in the close up picture you have the bottom left corner of one of the blocks in the rotunda is chipped away.  It actually fell off a couple years ago (no one was hurt).  The park system reviewed the structure and decided it was time for some structural maintenance.  They're hoping to have it completely done for the bicentential anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie (2013).

 

Hotel Victory ruins...a lesser known historic site.  It was a once one of the largest hotels in the country and really popular among the upper class...in fact the Island was a popular destination for well to do businessmen and politicians in the 1800's with Hotel Victory being the hotel du juor.  Unfortunately - like many Island buildings - it burned to the ground.  Many grand historical buildings went to ruin due to some tragedy...Hotel Victory and the Old Lonz Winery you have pictured.  The Colonial was another one that burned to the ground and they built what is now The Beer Barrell/Tippers in its place...and unfortunately they built it as quickly as possible and we have what is now this bland tacky building instead of the old historic one.  Here's a picture:  http://www.putinbayphotos.com/histpics/s_colonia1.jpg

 

(there's a lot of cool photos on that site too, FYI)

 

And the house you labeled as your favorite...it would probably be your wife's favorite too if you got to see the inside!  What is what I would describe as "the left" side of the house is a (relatively) new addition to the original structure.  The interior was totally redone...and of course it has a great harbor view.

 

Did you go in the Dollar House?  I believe it's open to the public as part of the winery next door.  Pretty cool old house with a lot of Island History.  I had my wedding reception there too!

 

 

Is this where Put In Bay is?  The island looks nice, but it appears to be kind of run down with grafiti, abandoned/run down buildings, etc.  A little surprising for a vacation destination.

 

And HOLY SHIT that snake is huge!

Tree-mendous!!!

"On the mainland, buying tickets for the ferry.  Only the small bag on the ground is mine."

 

Great photos - gotta say, I like your wife's style - my S.O. gives me flack for bringing a lot of luggage on trips but sure enough, my Boy Scout "always be prepared" M.O. comes in handy. :-)

Thanks shs96, I did catch the name of Mojito Bay.... I just thought "Tiki Hut" made it identifiable in the photo.  I was asking some of the locals about it and they seemed mostly annoyed at its' existence.  The guide at the Doller House said that they need to add teeth to the building codes and guidelines to prevent structures like that.  I think she was particularly mad with it's proximity to the Doller House and some of his former businesses.

 

We visited South Bass two years prior, right after that chunk of the rotunda fell.  It was still open to the public but the fence at the base had been added.

 

The owner of the B&B also works at the history museum and I picked her brain about some of the things you brought up.  I did happen to notice how many things burned down....not to mention the suicides and insanity.  I initially thought what a shame it was that the Hotel Victory burned, after reading a bit of it's history i'm not so sure anymore.  I was shocked that it only stood 27 or so years and had some real financial troubles.  I found a really great 20 page brochure for the hotel online along with photos and blueprints.

 

We did go to the Doller House.  What a strange family!  I'm not sure how I feel about them selling it as a winery... considering the wine is made on the mainland by Firelands.  It was a neat house, I enjoyed the contrast of the early structure against the much larger addition.

Is this where Put In Bay is? The island looks nice, but it appears to be kind of run down with grafiti, abandoned/run down buildings, etc. A little surprising for a vacation destination.

 

And HOLY sh!t that snake is huge!

 

Yes, Put-In-Bay is located on South Bass Island.  I will say that my photos are a little off the beaten path, none of the touristy downtown.  The grafiti you see is located at a dead end street at the northern most point of the island.  It appeared to be more art than vandalism, I thought it was more interesting than plain concrete blocks.  The debilitated home with the peacock is one of very few, out by the fish hatchery.  Most of the houses are in very nice shape but like all places there are exceptions.

 

Downtown is pretty... but I didn't really feel motivated to take pictures of it.  Lots of T-shirt stands and tacky infill in between charming historic structures.

 

We passed about a foot away from that snake.... really freaked my wife out.  I love that kind of stuff... but then I used to ride inner-tubes at Mohican with all the water snakes down there.

^I'll put up some photos of downtown soon enough. I find it quite pleasant.

^I'll put up some photos of downtown soon enough. I find it quite pleasant.

 

I don't mean to sound like I dislike the downtown, it is nice.  I just figure it's been photographed to death... and I took most of my pictures on one bike ride around the island and I did not really cut through.  My wife and I spent a good amount of our time in the downtown area.  We ate at the brewery, which was a little disappointing.  The beer was good but the food wasn't anything special.... I guess fatheads spoiled me.  We also ate at GOAT, I love that place.

Did you see 'the world's largest geode?'

 

Also, isn't that a Lake Erie water snake? Those are a protected specie.

Here's some downtown panaromic views:

 

http://www.putinbayphotos.com/panorama/gazebo/gazebo.htm

 

http://www.putinbayphotos.com/panorama/parkpano.html

 

 

... and a few photos here from the mid-eighties

We went through Heineman's Cave last time we were on the island, but nothing this time.  There are signs all around the island about the water snakes being protected, I think I saw some man-made habitats too.

 

Rob, I think I mentioned once that my bike above was inspired by your LeTour Luxe.  I wanted something that I could ride upright that was reasonably light and fast.  I used steel handle bars so that I could fit the bar end shifters.  The bars came from a Huffy but they extend back really far which I like.

 

Here is a picture from when I brought it home:

 

^I'll put up some photos of downtown soon enough. I find it quite pleasant.

 

I don't mean to sound like I dislike the downtown, it is nice. 

 

Sorry if it came off like I was suggesting that.

Those snakes are freaky. They're all over the place. We went up there some years ago and they freaked my wife out. We'd be taking a walk at night and there would be these huge black coils along steps that we would walk down, and I would tell my wife "look at what we just stepped over" and then it's like yeeeeek!  Lulz. :evil:

 

Oh, and don't even think about renting those cute little golf carts if you're buzzed (long story involving moron friends.)

^I'll put up some photos of downtown soon enough. I find it quite pleasant.

 

I don't mean to sound like I dislike the downtown, it is nice.

 

Sorry if it came off like I was suggesting that.

 

It's really no big deal, I did sort of sound that way going on about the t-shirt stands and such.  I have a question about the picture in your signature, is the "Ohio" portion from the Canton Ohio municipal building?

The as-was photo of your bike evoked a mental image from the local scene; a scrawny, haggard, unshaven forty-something with a salt-and-pepper ponytail, clad in thrift-store nikes, plaid bell-bottoms, and a mis-matched patterned shirt, smoking a cigarette while grinding along on near-flat tires with a clattering misaligned derailleur and the rhythmic clank of a crank arm striking the kickstand. I think it's the upturned drop bars that did it for me.

 

That's quite a resurrection.

wonderful thread -- very end of summer vibe and its like we are all biking around with you!

 

where did you stay and how did you like it? sounds like it was a b&b yes?

 

The as-was photo of your bike evoked a mental image from the local scene; a scrawny, haggard, unshaven forty-something with a salt-and-pepper ponytail, clad in thrift-store nikes, plaid bell-bottoms, and a mis-matched patterned shirt, smoking a cigarette while grinding along on near-flat tires with a clattering misaligned derailleur and the rhythmic clank of a crank arm striking the kickstand. I think it's the upturned drop bars that did it for me.

 

That's quite a resurrection.

 

Yes, you are exactly right.  I found it one day while I was riding past the homeless shelter, it was parked next to a man sleeping on a loading dock.  I asked another guy about it and discovered that the sleeping man owned it.  Anyway, I checked on it the next two days and eventually was able to ask the bikes owner in person.  I asked if he would sell it and how much he wanted, he asked for 10 dollars.  I ended up paying 10 dollars and giving him a bike that actually worked.  I asked and he said that he was in fact riding it in that condition... I have no idea how.

 

The only original part on it is the headset, the rest came from my parts stash.  It's not a fancy bike but I like it a lot.... it gets all of the rainy commutes.

wonderful thread -- very end of summer vibe and its like we are all biking around with you!

 

where did you stay and how did you like it? sounds like it was a b&b yes?

 

 

We stayed at the Black Squirrel this time and Ashley's Island House 2 years ago.  The Black Squirrel's rooms and overall building were fine but not as nice as some of the others.  The breakfast served was really amazing, can't say enough good about it.  The hosts were friendly and interesting, they gave a lot of great tips and historical facts about the island and it's buildings.  The best part is that the Black Squirrel is also the only bike shop on the island so I had a lot of fun talking shop and playing around in the garage.  It is located over by the airport a little out of town, right next door to the skyway... which was great!  The B&B grounds were nice and there was lake access too.  I would stay there again in a heartbeat but I enjoy trying new places each time I go back.

thx for the review - sounds great to me!