Lake Erie's Children
Is there anything better for childhood summers than a port town? Like Conneaut, Ohio?
I was born in Cleveland, a city on Lake Erie. I was born to parents from Ashtabula, another city on Lake Erie and then adopted by a mother and father who were born, raised and living on the lake, also in Conneaut.
In the 1960’s, Mom took us to the beach nearly every day after our chores were done. My brother, sister and I followed behind her with blankets and towels sometimes hopping in the too hot sand shouting, “ouch, ouch!” After an hour of sunlight and rhythmic waves, Mom’s mood would brighten, her Scandinavian skin would turn a golden color and she would slip into the water while the three of us sat on our blanket, watching. Her freestyle stroke was a thing of beauty and her Deadman’s float was, forgive the expression, to die for, because she could float so long and effortlessly.
The lake fed us. It literally put food on the table because of Dad’s job at the P&C Dock Company, not to mention the walleye or Lake Erie perch he fried in the back yard after fishing.
The lake taught us about life. We learned the effect of throwing sand near our food and the futility of building a sandcastle too close to the water. We quickly realized that the huge iron ore boats weren’t on the lake just for us to marvel at. They brought jobs for our dads who help unload them on our docks.
Lake Erie adults preached learning to swim or at least, “tread water so that you can save yourself if you have to, for God’s sake!”
It took some of us many years into adulthood before we finally realized that no camera could quite capture the beauty of a sunset over our great lake.
I am one of Lake Erie’s Children. Are you? Feel free to leave your thoughts.
Note: All comments are subject to approval, and will not appear until approved (usually within 24 hours).
16 Comments
Laura,I too grew up living on the lake swimming the gap and taking the long walk to the light house for a day of fun on water! Even to this day at almost 70 yrs young I have to get my fix and ride to the lake every day rarely ever missing a day.Priceless memories!
Frank, you still perform that beautiful ritual–a ride to the lake? How wonderful that you still live so close to it. It’s life giving.
Oh yes, I am a Lake Erie child, born and raised in Conneaut. When I was little, my widowed mom would take her three kids to Township Park nearly every summer day, in the early evening, just as the sky was turning orange. My brothers and I would wade in the water and watch for mom so that we didn’t get out of her sight. Sometimes she would swim, the breast stroke, and let me ride on her back. We’d go home after the sun disappeared below the horizon. As a teenager my friends and I would walk to the beach (a little over a mile from my house) and spend the afternoon roasting ourselves with a marinade of baby oil. I left town in ’69 but have returned every year. Three years ago we bought a house in Conneaut and spend the summers there. I am a Lake Erie Child, in a “mature” woman’s body.
Ginny, your mom was so amazing. Lake Erie helps people heal, I think. So glad you have a house in Conneaut.
Having been away from the lake for so long now , there isn’t anything better than a trip home. We spent many days on the beach or in dads boat. Most of my memories growing up revolve around, in or by our lake. The sandbar where we would play and use the fine sand to clean the waterline on the Kaylinpat Dads bout named after his three daughter. Watching the Ore Boats dwarfing the lighthouse or going with my uncles fishing and scrunching down as we went underneath the swing bridge to try fishing in the creek. These memories and more make me hometown proud 💕
Oh Karen, after a long winter and covid, what you are describing sounds like pure heaven. The sandbar’s sand is more fine? Who knew.
I agree, moving inland, away from the the lake was disorienting to me for years. Thank you for this.
Laura
Laura, I am so looking forward to reading your book. I totally understand your ties to Lake Erie. All my life I have lived within walking distance of the lake. I too spent my summers at the beach and now I have the privilege of introducing my grandchildren to the best of my childhood. I jokingly tell my husband that I fell in love with his home on the Lake Erie shore in the historic Ashtabula Harbor before I fell in love with him!
How blessed you are to be so close to the lake for so long, Cheryl. Your grandkids are lucky to have a Lake Erie grandmother.
I loved reading this, Laura! It brings back such fond memories of my mom taking me and my little brother to the beach as often as possible in the late 50’s and 60’s. We would always play on the playground equipment afterwards and loved sharing a bag of popcorn from the concession stand. We’d run back and forth to the drinking fountain to stay hydrated. To this day, the beach still soothes my soul and gives me so much peace. Having grown up on beautiful Lake Erie, I am still drawn to the beach as a means of relaxation and a mental healing process. We were so fortunate to grow up in Conneaut and experience the joy of simpler times.
Oh yes! The swings are still there! I often think of the waves lapping on the shore and me sitting there, in a trance. I was meditating and didn’t know it! I love the warm ocean shore of course, but there is something about a childhood on the water that makes a person really grounded.
As one of Lake Erie’s children, how I enjoyed the summers, riding my bicycle to Conneaut Township Park. Spending the entire day, rain or shine, on the beach and swimming in 60 degree waters. I also enjoyed fishing off the dock with friends and catching, if we were lucky, Lake Erie Perch, not catfish! So many great memories!
Oh yes. The 60 degree water–nothing like it!
Laura, your words bring back childhood, and school-age (and beyond) memories.. I bet all of us replying are remember more of our times at the lake and times with friends. We certainly had some of the best of times. Thank you for the memories! Having moved to Montana 20 years ago, I am now looking forward to returning home for retirement.
Everyone of us Lake Erie children share so many like memories and you have wonderfully brought them back for us! What a colorful read! And seeing all the names above is part of the joy! I’m so glad I will soon return to the Conneaut area to retire and enjoy Lake Erie again.
Oh, the amazing memories you have uncovered!
Swimming the gap, walking on the break wall, taking swimming lessons on the beach, watching the boats come in, eating perch, family reunions in the pavilion and sled riding the hills in the winter. (Just to mention a few) ☺️ After living in different areas it is wonderful to be back living on Lake Erie. My husband is already out fishing this morning!
Well, Laura, I have so many memories. Learning to swim at the lake with, Mrs Kaiser, Mr Ladder, Mr Humphrey and being a pollywag, then getting to another level was an achievement. The swings that you pump the handlebars, can’t even explain to grandkids, had to show them. When we first moved to Memphis TN, I panicked, what no water, where will we swim, where do we get frozen Milkshake bars.
It all comes back to me, now that we are back here, if only in Madison. We drive to the small park almost every night.
I am so glad you wrote a book, what a great idea and wonderful project.