Thursday, March 19, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Put-in-Bay Taxi Tales - 1st edition
I have been driving taxi on Put-in-Bay for the past 4 years. This has been by far one of the most exciting and unpredictable jobs I have ever had. It is so enjoyable to get to know many of the great people that visit PIB, and to be their chauffer for the weekend. The following is a story from one of these memorable moments... stay tuned for new stories...
I was driving on a Saturday night, and the atmosphere felt festive, yet many people seemed to be affected by the full moon. There were three near-fights in my van, and I was beginning to wonder why everyone was so testy. Around 11:30 I picked up 4 guys in front of the Roundhouse Bar. I talked with them and found out they were employees over at Kelleys Island, and decided to come to Put-in-Bay to party for the weekend. As I turned the corner on Delaware Ave. I saw a few PIB Police officers ahead at the Put-in-Bay Brewing Co. As I got closer, the two officers flagged me down, and requested I pick up two more passengers. It appeared they were having difficulty with them, and wanted me to take them from the downtown area. Great!?! They got on my taxi and began to incoherently talk to each other. These guys were white, as were the 4 from Kelleys Island, but the two from the Brewery seemed pretty influenced by the rap music culture. These two guys used a particular racial slur with each other a few times along the way. Then one of the guys from the other group asked, "Why do keep saying n*****?" The next sound I heard was "THUD!." The inquisitive guy was sucker punched right in the face after his remark. Soon there was an all out battle royal in the taxi. I calmly opened the outside door to the taxi, got out, lit a cigarette and watched the melee. I was very content with them just beating the crap out of each other, but another taxi driver pulled up and called the Police. As the PIB Police came speeding up the street, the two thugs darted into the woods. The cops entered the woods, guns drawn. Quickly they apprehended one of the suspects, but the other hid in the dense foliage. He ended up sleeping in the woods, and emerging in the morning. Another taxi driver had noted giving a ride to a dirty man with a similar description. Later that day I was driving past the scene of the incident and sure enough that same guy was there. Looking for his hat! I called the PIB Police and said,"We got a sitting duck out here." They picked him up too!
This doesn't happen often, but certainly makes for an interesting day at work. I look forward to hauling more friends at Put-in-Bay, and hope that they can at least not beat each other up. Drunkeness is A-OK!
I was driving on a Saturday night, and the atmosphere felt festive, yet many people seemed to be affected by the full moon. There were three near-fights in my van, and I was beginning to wonder why everyone was so testy. Around 11:30 I picked up 4 guys in front of the Roundhouse Bar. I talked with them and found out they were employees over at Kelleys Island, and decided to come to Put-in-Bay to party for the weekend. As I turned the corner on Delaware Ave. I saw a few PIB Police officers ahead at the Put-in-Bay Brewing Co. As I got closer, the two officers flagged me down, and requested I pick up two more passengers. It appeared they were having difficulty with them, and wanted me to take them from the downtown area. Great!?! They got on my taxi and began to incoherently talk to each other. These guys were white, as were the 4 from Kelleys Island, but the two from the Brewery seemed pretty influenced by the rap music culture. These two guys used a particular racial slur with each other a few times along the way. Then one of the guys from the other group asked, "Why do keep saying n*****?" The next sound I heard was "THUD!." The inquisitive guy was sucker punched right in the face after his remark. Soon there was an all out battle royal in the taxi. I calmly opened the outside door to the taxi, got out, lit a cigarette and watched the melee. I was very content with them just beating the crap out of each other, but another taxi driver pulled up and called the Police. As the PIB Police came speeding up the street, the two thugs darted into the woods. The cops entered the woods, guns drawn. Quickly they apprehended one of the suspects, but the other hid in the dense foliage. He ended up sleeping in the woods, and emerging in the morning. Another taxi driver had noted giving a ride to a dirty man with a similar description. Later that day I was driving past the scene of the incident and sure enough that same guy was there. Looking for his hat! I called the PIB Police and said,"We got a sitting duck out here." They picked him up too!
This doesn't happen often, but certainly makes for an interesting day at work. I look forward to hauling more friends at Put-in-Bay, and hope that they can at least not beat each other up. Drunkeness is A-OK!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Put-in-Bay, Ohio and Lake Erie Recreation
This is another picture from the ice party on Put-in-Bay. Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial is pictured. This is a great stop to make while on PIB. I was working at Put-in-Bay for 3 years before I finally went to the top of the monument. WOW, what a view! On a clear day you can even see Canada. There are guided tours of the Perry's Monument that includes information about the American and British soldiers that are buried beneath the grand front entrance. Every year the Boy Scouts ascend on the large lawn that has gorgeous views of Lake Erie. Where the monument is located is on an isthmus which is narrow and one can easily take in views on two sides. For more information about Perry's Monument and other Put-in-Bay Attractions check out www.putinbayonline.com This site has great information about all things Put-in-Bay.
Lake Erie constantly provides awesome recreation activities. As seen in the picture, even when the ice is frozen it brings out a crowd! During the spring and summer season there is alot of water activities on the island. Fishing is very popular on Lake Erie, and many anglers come to try their chances for some Lake Erie Walley and Yellow Perch. Put-in-Bay is located within an area dubbed "The Walleye Capital," due to the high numbers of fish recorded by marine biologists. Good hatches continue the Lake Erie fishing success. The following link has additional resources for fishing at Put-in-Bay, including information about fishing charters:
www.ohio-put-in-bay.com/charters.php and about pricing and rules for fishing licenses: www.ohio-put-in-bay.com/licenses.php
Put-in-Bay and the Lake Erie Islands have such importance to our area. The activity that is spawned results in a great tourism economy. I thoroughly enjoy meeting the countless people who come and enjoy PIB. Right now we are inbetween a freeze and the upcoming thaw, so until then there will be more Put-in-Bay direction and relection. See you at the Bay!!
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Thursday, February 19, 2009
Put-in-Bay Ice Party Pic
This was behind The Boarwalk at Put in Bay. WOW! FIRE ON THE ICE!! NIIICE!!!!
First Post- I miss Put-in-Bay
This blog will be my personal accounts of livning and working on beatiful Put-in-Bay. Put in Bay is located in northwest Ohio in beautiful Lake Erie. I have been working and living on South Bass Island for the past 5 years. I am looking forward to my 6th season. Generally my time runs from mid March to mid November.
A few weeks ago I went on a journey that I'll never forget. Me, my wife, my stepdad and stepbrother rode snowmobiles across the ice from Catawaba to Put in Bay. Wow! What a neat experience. Out in the middle of Lake Erie looking around is wild. It feels like you are on another planet with the vastness and icy landscape. The Island is so different in the Winter as the pace of life slows way down. It feels so laid back over there in the Winter. We went to an ice party at The Boardwalk and had lobster bisque on the ice. There was even a fire ontop of the ice... Yes you read correctly A FIRE ON ICE!!! Check out the pic, wild stuff!
Well, this embarks my daily reflection of my love of Put in Bay and Lake Erie. Since I am eagerly awaiting the start of the Miller Ferry, I will just have to reflect on the many good and crazy times I have had at PIB. This could get pretty interesting!!!
A few weeks ago I went on a journey that I'll never forget. Me, my wife, my stepdad and stepbrother rode snowmobiles across the ice from Catawaba to Put in Bay. Wow! What a neat experience. Out in the middle of Lake Erie looking around is wild. It feels like you are on another planet with the vastness and icy landscape. The Island is so different in the Winter as the pace of life slows way down. It feels so laid back over there in the Winter. We went to an ice party at The Boardwalk and had lobster bisque on the ice. There was even a fire ontop of the ice... Yes you read correctly A FIRE ON ICE!!! Check out the pic, wild stuff!
Well, this embarks my daily reflection of my love of Put in Bay and Lake Erie. Since I am eagerly awaiting the start of the Miller Ferry, I will just have to reflect on the many good and crazy times I have had at PIB. This could get pretty interesting!!!
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