The next morning we filled up with propane and pulled out just minutes before the campground closed for the winter. Rain held off until we were fully on the road. Dreary Erie lived up to it's unflattering nickname. It rained all the way to Cleveland. Nice clean Beluga is clean no more.
By around 4 we arrived at our next spot, Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon, Ohio. We'll be here for 3 or 4 days to check out the Lake Erie shoreline, part of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and a couple of things in nearby Toledo. What a difference a few miles make! It was sunny and delightful as we set up camp in site 66.
We had a nice, lazy morning and, after lunch, set off to find the Wildlife Refuge. We stopped in the Visitor's Center (I know!) and saw a short movie on the area before exploring the area. Our timing isn't perfect for birding here - too late for the spectacular spring Warbler migration, and not exactly the right time for the shorebirds, herons and raptors, but this is when we're here so we enjoyed our day.
We spied several interesting waterfowl but they were too far away for good photos. I'll show you a couple, don't judge....
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By the time we headed home clouds had gathered and covered the blue sky. Rain and wind are forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Sigh.
Hope you will miss the worst of the storm. the Dayton family say it is fast moving heading east. Altho we have been in the area we have never stopped at the refuge. Thanks for taking us there.
ReplyDeleteThe Visitors Center first. Wow! I'm impressed! Haha! Even though it isn't birding season, there always seems to be a few around to entertain us. Glad you found some interesting feathered friends. Can't to see what you find in an area new to us. I guess Lew is around somewhere..hint, hint!
ReplyDeleteOh yay, you made it to Maumee Bay SP! Even though you're not there during migration, it's still a beautiful and peaceful place. And of course, you're making the most of your time there. Are you planning to visit the art museum in Toledo? I think you guys would enjoy it. It's a good rainy day activity. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe art museum is on my list, we'll see!
DeleteI LOVE to visit wildlife refuges...birds or no birds, it is always beautiful and peaceful. Love the photo of the Grebe with his lunch. Always a great feeling to hit the road!
ReplyDeleteWe have stayed at an Erie KOA a couple of times...is this the one with the pond? I have very fond memories of being there with Wrecks.
Yes Gay. It has a very nice pond and some great wooded trails, although we're avoiding them lately because we found a tick on Lewis a few days ago!!!!
DeleteI have to add a recommendation as well. Have you been to the Air and Space museum at Wright Patterson in Dayton? It's the absolute best, they have several one off planes that aren't anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteWe were watching Al Roker last night hoping that you would not be in the worst of the storm. They're talking bomb cyclones - never good.
No, we haven't been there. Next time we're going through that area we'll definitely stop! We seem to be on the western edge of the nasty storm, although it was very windy and spitting rain all day.
DeleteNice that you have a standard ending and beginning spot at a good distance from the cottage! We love those refuges too, and don't always land when there's much to see. I always think of you guys when we stop at the VC at the end of our visit :-)
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