Page 37 - Leisure Living Magazine: June 2020 Edition

Julie and Janet admire some smaller gallery pieces with jewelry artist Carmen Smith.
favorite, but I’m not going to tell anybody what it is,” he said.
The area wildlife also seem to enjoy the spot. Several birds, including bald eagles, often visit the sculpture gardens as well. “It’s a nice nature spot,” Herndon said.
He said the gallery is now open, but with some restrictions. “We’re not allowing more than five people in the gallery at a time, and they all have to wear masks.” Herndon recommends that visitors who would like to specifically visit the gallery call ahead for hours, or perhaps for an appointment. The website charlesherndon.com has the phone number, plus directions to the site. The online store has been busier lately. Prints of his paintings have been some of the most popular items. The artist also works in painting and photography.
Kayaking
While we’re making the most of our outdoor time, seeing the area by water is an interesting alternative. The Portage River Paddling Company offers one- and two- person kayaks, canoes that sit three or four people, and stand-up paddleboards.
The jackets, paddles, and watercraft will all be disinfected between uses. “It’s one of the greatest social-distancing things you can do,” Bryan Floro, owner, said. The Port Clinton location, 3134 W. Harbor Road, will be open at the beginning of the season for hourly rentals.
Children can still participate in the “gem mining.” Floro said the only thing the children will touch is the sluice boxes, which will be sanitized between uses.
There will be a few minor changes. The number of people allowed in the building will be limited. Plans are not finalized for the opening the Oak Harbor location, or for the popular Full Moon Paddles.
This year, visitors will find a new option – a stand-up paddleboard that is 16 feet long that can accommodate up to 10 people. “It’s called the ‘Paddle Ship.’ It’s very cool,” Floro said.
Ottawa County Barn Quilt Trail
Ottawa County Barn Quilt Trail is a fun way to see art while remaining in your vehicle. The 17 “quilts” are made of wood, and painted in mostly-traditional quilt patterns. See “Stars in the Attic,” “Mariner’s Compass,” “Egg Basket,” and more. You’ll find five in Benton Township, three in Salem Township, two in Carroll Township, and one in each Portage, Harris, Bay, Danbury, Catawba, Allen, and Erie townships. For information and the addresses, visit https:// ottawacountyhistory.org/community/barn- quilt-trail.
African Safari Wildlife Park
The African Safari Wildlife Park is open. Although the walk-through portion of the park remains closed, visitors can enjoy the drive-through portion, the gift shop, the retail store, and the outdoor-seating restaurant. You can see hundreds of exotic animals in the 65-acre park.
Biking
The Northcoast Inland Trail will eventually extend from Lorain to Toledo. At this point, though, there are patches of trail that include 21.5 miles in Lorain, 15.7 in Huron, 21.6 miles in Sandusky, and 3 miles in Ottawa
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