Dear Members:
The third Spotlight Ride of the season is coming up on Wednesday July 17, so go find your passport and plan to join us at 10 AM for Spotlight The Canadian Beaches. We start from Waverly Beach in Ft Erie Ontario Canada.
What is now called Waverly Beach used to be known as Erie Beach Park, and it was the Coney Island of eastern Lake Erie back in the day. In 1885, it started as a simple picnic area in the woods along Lake Erie and over the next 45 years evolved into an extensive leisure and entertainment destination. A lakefront casino was added for dancing, skating and other live entertainment. “Other attractions that the guests of the park could enjoy included live entertainment in the casino, or in two small stadiums featuring circus acts and equestrian shows, swimming in the world’s largest outdoor swimming pool along the lake’s edge and enjoy walk along a beautiful lakefront promenade, lit at night by electric lights” (electric lights, ooooo!). 65-room hotel opened there in 1925, and American guests could arrive by BOAT (does that sound familiar?) and the remnants of the dock are still there. Eventually, competition from Crystal Beach and the stock market crash of 1929 framed the end of Erie Beach Park. A more complete history of the place can be found at https://militarybruce.com/the-crumbling-remains-of-erie-beach-amusement-park/OR at https://wnyhistory.org/portfolios/more/erie_beach_park/erie_beach_park_1_orig.htm.
We will explore the remnants of Erie Beach Park and then travel on beach cottage roads which parallel the lake, and which feature several “beach windows” -- charming right-of-way access points to small pockets of public beach. They are tiny but clean and gorgeous and have parking for several cars. It’s 37 CASUAL miles with a long lunch stop at The Pie Guys (https://thepieguysbakery.com/) in Port Colburn.
So save the date, plan for perfect weather and call me with questions (716) 400-6091. I don’t know about you, but I’m goin’ in the water!
See you there!!
Liz and Rebecca