| I love vacationing at Sherkston Shores so much that I | | | | cargo ship passing through the lock. In fact, on a clear |
| could spend a month there without ever leaving the | | | | day, you can watch a ship near Port Colborne from |
| resort. There is, however, so much to do in the area | | | | the beach at Sherkston Shores and have plenty of |
| that I never stay close to the cottage for long. In this | | | | time to jump in the car, drive to Port Colborne and |
| part of the series, we'll explore a few of those | | | | watch the same ship go through the lock. I've watched |
| attractions. | | | | dozens of ships make this trip and I never get tired of |
| One of the bloodiest battles of the War of 1812 took | | | | it. While you're in Port Colborne, you can enjoy a |
| place about eight miles from Sherkston Shoers at Fort | | | | restaurant meal, replenish your fishing bait or have an |
| Erie. Today, Old Fort Erie stands as a living reminder of | | | | ice cream cone among many other things. |
| the over 3,000 troops killed or wounded in the British | | | | Are you an auto racing fan? If you are, you might |
| siege of the fort in August and September, 1814. You | | | | want to check out Humberstone Speedway in nearby |
| can tour the grounds, visit the buildings and see the | | | | Gasport. This 3/8 mile clay oval runs every Sunday |
| monuments that stand in remembrance of the battle | | | | evening from May through September. The headliners |
| that helped preserve the United States at this | | | | are the Sportsman Modifieds and the more powerful |
| important crossroads of her young existence. The fort | | | | 358 Small Block Modifieds make a couple |
| is open daily from 10:00 - 5:00 from early May through | | | | appearances a month. Make sure you get there early |
| early October. Admission is $9.25 Canadian. If you're | | | | and watch the street stocks slip and slide all over the |
| lucky enough to be in the area on August 8th and 9th, | | | | place as they work in the track for racing. I've never |
| make sure you check out Old Fort Erie's annual Siege | | | | seen this ritual anywhere else and I have to say that |
| Weekend. Here you can watch as actors re-create | | | | it's hysterical. Humberstone Speedway is less than 15 |
| the battles that took place in that deadly month in 1814. | | | | minutes from Sherkston Shores so be sure to check it |
| Have you ever wondered how Great Lakes shipping | | | | out. |
| traffic makes it from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario and | | | | In part 4 of this series I'm going to tell you about the |
| back? Well, we know the ships don't go over Niagara | | | | village of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Once you hear about it, |
| Falls so there must be another way. The Welland | | | | you're going to want to spend a morning or an |
| Canal starts in Lake Erie at the City of Port Colborne | | | | afternoon there. Have I mentioned yet that Sherkston |
| and travels 27 miles to Lake Ontario at Port Weller. | | | | Shores is only half an hour from Niagara Falls? I've |
| Ships pass through a series of eight locks that raises | | | | been to the Falls over 40 times and I know all the |
| or lowers them about 325 feet as they travel from | | | | sights you're going to want to see. Beginning with part |
| one lake to the other. Port Colborne is about a 15 | | | | 5, and continuing until I finish, I'm going to tell you what to |
| minute drive from Sherkston Shores so you can take | | | | see in Niagara Falls and how to see it. Stay tuned |
| your picnic basket and enjoy your lunch in the beautiful | | | | because I'm even going to give you a tip on parking. |
| park by lock number 8. If you're lucky, you'll see a huge | | | | |