Tranquility and wildlife at Presque Isle

[Kyle]After experiencing most of what Erie has to offer, we motored the short mile-and-a-half to Marina Lake in Presque Isle State Park. Despite being just across from Erie the city, it feels remote and peaceful and gave us time to decompress while waiting for a suitable weather window. I had been to Presque Isle briefly while working. I remember it being pleasant enough, but the main thing for me at the time was that the round trip from the hotel was exactly a half-marathon. This time, Maryanne and I took it much slower, and I must say it is just wonderful.

We took the dinghy well into the shallows and made a point of walking miles of the less-used trails away from the main road. We saw and heard songbirds galore, as well as terrapins and even beavers with their big lodges. It felt good to be walking on soft ground through miles and miles of chlorophyll, occasionally stopping to study some fascinating new flower or critter. Our phones are mesmerizing and all, but it really does feel nice to observe the world in its own time and to realize how interesting it all can be if we just take the time to slow down and appreciate it.

{Maryanne: We hiked all over the park from our anchorage in Marine Lake (there are plenty of trails, and aside from the ones that can take bicycles seem rarely used), and we rowed through miles of water-lily covered waterways. We missed out on a morning guided tour unfortunately, but still managed to enjoy plenty of wildlife. We were both surprised at how nice it was to spend time in the park}

We enjoyed the tranquility, and even had a beaver swim by the boat at anchor