THE GREAT LAKES

The Grotto at Bruce Peninsula National Park, Tobermory, Ontario, Canada 45°14'42.8"N 81°31'27.5"W

Just around the corner from the opening of Lake Huron into Georgian Bay lies the Bruce Peninsula National Park. The Grotto is a pool of crystal-clear water in a naturally carved out cave. While it is popular with local shoreside visitors, it is also accessible by boat and makes for a great day stop. A mooring ball can be found in front of The Grotto or you can always anchor or raft. However, due to its exposure, it isn’t recommended for an overnight stay. For the Wilson family, it was the perfect place to stop with their four kids to swim and explore.

Put-In-Bay, Lake Erie 41°39'15.2"N 82°49'14.7"W

Heading all the way into Lake Erie is a path less chosen along the Great Loop, but should you opt to experience the entire length of the Erie Canal, it’s where you’ll end up. Located on South Bass Island, PUTIN-BAY is just north of the Wilson family’s home port of Sandusky, Ohio. Put-In-Bay, according to the Wilsons, is the Key West of Lake Erie. With a Caribbean feel, South Bass Island has caves to explore, the world’s largest geode and one of the few wooden roller coasters left in the country. Put-In-Bay offers moorage right in the middle of town at the municipal marina.

Ilion, New York 43°00'54.3"N 75°02'07.6"W

This small town, the birthplace of Remington firearms company, is a callback to what once drove industry in towns up and down the Erie Canal. The largest of Remington’s two manufacturing plants is still located there. This is the quintessential manufacturing town along the Erie Canal, one of few that still is driven by industry. Schucker and Wilson identified this stop as their favorite along the Erie Canal. They ended up staying a week due to high water and never ran out of things to do. The greater Herkimer County area offers a variety of attractions and historical sites worth visiting to get a true taste of central New York.