CATAWBA ISLAND

IN MANY WAYS, CATAWBA IS A GATEWAY to the Lake Erie Islands as home of the Miller Ferry and the Catawba Island State Park with a public boat ramp if you tow your vessel.

PARK IT. We’re talking about the cliffs-andbeaches Catawba Island State Park beachfront and amenities for boaters, including four boat ramps and a cobblestone entry for kayaks and canoes. If you travel with your watercraft, there’s easy access to Lake Erie and the islands from the Catawba Island State Park, plus there’s a fishing pier.

TIE UP. Catawba Moorings provides transient dockage if you want to slip in and stay for several hours or nights. The same goes for Mid-Way Marina, which is a pledged Ohio Sea Grant Clean Marina (see A Sustainable State of Mind on page 39).

TASTE AND SEE. Soak in the orchard landscape Catawba is known for on a 60-acre farm estate that is Twin Oast Brewing. Forest, home-grown produce, fruit trees — the menu celebrates local flavors that pair with brews like Legitimate Swells, Ship Burner and Old Ohio.

At Gideon Owen Wine Co., formerly Mon Ami, stop in to sip or explore the 150-year-old history with a cellar tour, where you’ll enter the vaults and taste Catawba Island wine.

Orchard Bar and Table handpicks fresh ingredients from the property’s chefs gardens for menu items including a sharable like the Vintners Board, a main plate like seared scallops, and cocktails from the “coop” including Hen House couple of hours, Huston points out. Or, you can drop anchor on the east side and swim into the bay to go ashore, fish or watch the wildlife. with Ketel One Botanical Cucumber and Mint, fresh-muddle mint, cucumber,

Biennially, the historical society hosts a tour of the island, including its historic chapel and wine cellars. The next tour is scheduled for 2024. Miller Ferry helps out, transporting guests for the fundraising event; you can rent a golf cart once you arrive. To stay over any time with reservations, the four-bedroom Lake House can host up to 12 guests and includes a slip at the marina.