WNY Family Magazine April 2019 | Page 22

FAMILY TRAVEL — by Deborah Williams morning of September 10, 1813, when a lookout spotted six British vessels to the northwest, past Rattlesnake Island. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry issued a flurry of orders and made preparations to sail forth to engage the British. He first hoisted his battle flag inscribed with these words: “Don’t Give Up the Ship.” Before the day ended, Commodore Perry had defeated and captured a Brit- ish squadron of warships and secured control of Lake Erie for the United States. It was a decisive victory against the world’s greatest naval power and a turning point in the war. Ohio’s Lake Erie Islands Offer Warm Weather Getaways for Families S andusky, a lakefront city an hour west of Cleveland, is probably best known to roller coaster fans as the home of Cedar Point Amusement Park. It bills itself as the roller coaster capital of the world, and its 18 world-class roller coast- ers draw visitors from near and far.   It is the second old- est amusement park in North America and boasts hotels, inns, campgrounds, a mile- long Lake Erie beach, a waterpark, restaurants, a marina — even wave runners and para- sailing. Beyond Cedar Point there is another nearby world of islands that draw visi- tors looking for quieter pursuits. The Jet Express ferryboat stops at downtown Sandusky and Cedar Point, providing service to a group of Lake Erie islands that offer ideal warm weather getaways for families.  These islands have it all: a low key vibe with golf carts for transport, beach- es, water sports, a National Park Service Peace Memorial, resorts, hotels, camp- grounds, unique geological formations, and wineries.  22 WNY Family April 2019 There is an old-fashioned summer resort feeling on the islands. Few cars, no traffic, time to slow down and step back to a simpler time — perfect for families. These islands have become Ohio’s summer playground. Riding outside on our ferry, it was easy to spot our destination: Put-in- Bay, a small village on two mile square South Bass Island, 14 miles from San- dusky. A 352-foot tall memorial column towers over the marina. It is the most prominent fea- ture of Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memo- rial that was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie dur- ing the War of 1812, and to celebrate the long-lasting peace among Great Brit- ain, Canada, and the United States. The Doric column is just five miles from the lon- gest undefended border in the world. But the world was quite different at dawn on the “We have met the enemy and they are ours,” Perry said in a dispatch to Gen. William Henry Harrison. During the summer season, hands- on children’s programs are offered daily and cover topics from natural sciences to history. Check in the Visitor Center for times. Children are also invited to become a Junior Ranger. Pick up the free Junior Ranger activity booklet in the center. Once children complete the activities they take an oath to protect the parks and nature. Park rangers also offer regular programs. On weekends there are regular mus- ket firing demonstrations conducted by rangers attired in War of 1812 uniforms. “Many visitors are surprised to learn about the War of 1812,” explained Rob Whitman, who has served as a park ranger since 2007. “It is somewhat of a forgotten war between the better known Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Kids really like the musket firing and the view from the top of the memorial.” The Visitor Center offers art, exhib- its and artifacts from the Battle of Lake Erie. A 15-minute film covering the history of the battle is shown throughout the day. Af- ter climbing 37 steps at the Peace Memorial, an elevator takes visi- tors to the tallest open- air observation deck in the National Park Service. On a moder- ately clear day the ob- servation deck offers a panoramic view of the Lake Erie islands and