It was a steamy August day. I was feeling anxious about school starting soon, and my little sisters were acting feisty. Mom said it was time to forget our worries and told us to hop in the car. We were on our way to one of our favorite places – Vermilion, Ohio.

Vermilion is a small town on the shores of Lake Erie. It is about 17 miles east of Sandusky and 35 miles west of Cleveland. It was settled in the early 19th century as a fishing and small boat harbor. Now it’s known for two special yearly festivals. The Festival of the Fish takes place in June. This three-day event features music, fireworks and a lighted boat parade. Every October, the Woollybear Festival celebrates the fuzzy caterpillar that is said to predict the upcoming winter. Visitors come to watch caterpillar races and see a spectacular parade. Someday I hope to attend one of these festivals. Who doesn’t love fish and woollybears!

While no special events were happening the day we arrived, we always find something fun to do in this town. We love walking down Main Street, visiting the local shops. One of our favorite stops is Brummer’s Chocolates that has been making homemade candies since 1904. We love stopping at the Main Street Soda Grill, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor that serves all kinds of soda fountain specialties from brown cows to egg cremes to banana splits. The town also has a great selection of restaurants. From fancy French cuisine to eating wings dockside, there’s something for everyone’s taste.

But for us, today’s lunch was a picnic at Main Street Beach. Main Street Beach is just a short walk from downtown. Once there, we spent hours splashing in the water, building sandcastles and looking at the lighthouse. Mom enjoyed relaxing and watching us play.

Such a fun day! But before we left for home, there was one more stop…seven miles south of town at the beautiful Schoepfle Garden, part of Lorain County Metro Parks. Schoepfle Garden is a 77-acre mix of manicured gardens and natural woodlands bordering the Vermilion River. My sisters and I love hiking the trails and seeing all the small creatures that live in the woods. We enjoy listening to the bullfrogs sing in the pond.

Until next time…

Froggily,

Ruby