That's right!  Park officials estimate that 4-million people enter Presque Isle State Park each year.  You can put me down for about 50 of those clicks on the highway counter.  I come and go alot when the bay fishing is hot.

My wife and I have a 30-year love affair with Erie, Pennsylvania, that began with visits to our friend's Gary and Kathy  Moore's home in McKean, PA, just south of Erie.  Our daughters and their children were friends so the annual October trip was a multiple day sleep over.  The Moore family moved away, the kids got older and went on with their lives, but Vickie and I continue to make the trek.

On our latest trip to Erie and Presque Isle State Park, we made it a point to visit with park operations manager, Harry Leslie who began his career in central Pennsylvania and also worked at Trough Creek State Park near our home in Entriken, PA.  I had warned him that we may come by and when we did stop, we were lucky enough to find him in his office.

I told Harry his job is easy because Presque Isle is so popular, but I know his job is a challenge for the same reason.  He took time to create this video clip.

If you decide to accept Harry's invitation, you will not regret the decision.  Our most recent multiple day visit/trip proves the point.

Weather variables:  Yes, even weather events at Presque Isle are an attraction.  At least to me they are.

The "summer people" may disagree, but in the first video below the temperature from the previous day dropped 15 degrees as a cold front passed through the area.  Sometimes this change can take place in minutes as the cold air rushes across the lake.  I enjoyed that weather change, seeing the rolling, low clouds, feeling the refreshing north breeze and the return to spring-like temperatures, but I am not working on my summer tan. 

Erie residents take weather shifts in stride.  My wife and I have learned to do the same, and we always bring sweatshirts. You may want to add that item to your Erie trip packing list even though it is summertime.

Activities:  If you bring someone young or old to Presque Isle State Park and they say they are bored because there is nothing to do, then you need to find some new traveling companions. 

On a previous trip, my wife and I biked through the park.  It was fun, the popular trail is flat and we managed to complete the loop before we ran out of pedal power.  Keep in mind the energy you have when you begin your ride is long gone when you are struggling to return to the bike rental shop or your car.   Keep it short the first day, unless you own a spandex suit that fits and have done this type of thing before.  If that is the case, go for it just don't run over slow pokes like us.

If you are a member of the "fit crowd" [the spandex comment applies here too], you can rollerblade [I know that is a brand of in-line skate], but I believe the smart money is on two wheels and a wide comfortable seat.  Jogging is big too.  I often see young mothers jogging while pushing a large baby stroller.  Mom has a good "carb burn" going on and the youngster is getting a taste of the thrill of NASCAR as they weave through the trail traffic.

You can drive into the park and visit one of the many sandy beaches.  From reading the park Web site, it looks like they have about ten or more beaches.  Some are numbered and some are named.  So when you see beach # 1 don't expect to see #2 etc. [I can't explain it.]  Currently the most popular beach for the toast and roast crowd is beach #6.  That is the place to be and be seen.   Beach six has the sand volleyball nets too. 

Other available activities include - boating, fishing, walking, photography, bird watching, hunting . . . . .  you get the drift!

People make "the Isle" special.

And on this visit, we met with Huntingdon, Pennsylvania native, Miranda Crostley.  She graduated with our youngest daughter.  They played together on the Huntingdon High School Bearcat softball team [Miranda was a catcher and dependable hitter.]  She now works as the environmental education specialist supervisor at the park, a position she has held for the last three years.  Anyone who knows or meets Mirarda immediately recognizes that she is the perfect person for the job.

Most park visitors and countless school groups come to the park for the natural environment and surroundings and that is were, Miranda and the other staff members and volunteers come in.  They can keep you busy every day.  Check out the the online program so you can plan ahead or just take a moment and to watch and listen to Miranda.

At Presque Isle, nature and wild critters are eveywhere.  This turtle talk just happened while we were asking Miranda about interpretive programs. 

The park has the standard complement of concessionaires that offer boat and bike rentals, boat tours, beach snacks and they have their own unique perspective on the Presque Isle experience.

Dave Parker is a very intense business operator [just ask his staff], but he talks about Presque Isle with a love and respect that is shared by many people we met on this trip:

Dave "asked" his reluctant staffers to go on camera and talk about the services they provide to the public.   Not an easy task when you are accustomed to serving the public and keeping a low profile, but they agreed and did a fine job.  I thought it would be entertaining to have their brochures come to life through video clips.  JR will soon start his post high school education at the Rochester Institue of Technology.  Ryan operates the boat livery and quarterbacks his high school football team.   Thanks guys.

JR:  

Ryan:

Captain Tom Macalusco is a old friend.  I have know him for years and we always enjoy talking and getting reaquainted. Tom and the Lady Kate give you a "look and listen and ask" boat tour of Presque from the only perspective that provides the best look of the park - from the water looking in.  He took time to meet me at the boat launch to talk about his service.   We have taken and enjoyed this tour and recommend it to park visitors.

Finally this story ends with two video clips that are a part of everyone's time spent at Presque Isle State Park.  Meeting other visitors and a stop a Sara's. 

As I waited for Captain Tom, a large motorhome pulled into the parking lot and out stepped two Reading visitors who were on a Route Six touring adventure stopping at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in Wellsboro and then they targeted a stop at Presque Isle before moving along to who knows where.  They were taking an exploring approach to their vacation - a general plan to which specifics are applied on the fly!   There is a story writer on this site who travels that way all the time!

Anyway, the woman driving and her companion were having a great trip.  Unfortunately the Lady Kate tour boat was docked and a few days away from the "everyday" schedule.  Meeting these visitors was a treat for me.

Reading Visitors:                     

As for Sara's - this is and has been a staple of the Presque Isle experience for generations of visitors.  Like a scene out of American Graffiti - with more of a patio style eating area, the roadside stand at the entrance to the park, offers "high octane" fast food, beverages, ice cream concoctions and 50's/60's rock and roll background music.   If you stop, it is BUSY and a bit on the noisy side, but the kids, teens and young  adults seem to need this place to charge their batteries after the peace and quiet of the park.  [You can take them out of the "world," but getting the "world" out of them is another matter.]  I usually drive by, but that is my  "been there done that attitude" so don't let me discourage you from stopping.  My weakness

The Presque Isle story will go on as long as millions of people visit the park and you can be part of the next chapter so start making some plans. 

Did I mention the Tom Ridge Environmental Center?   I visited there too and that place deserves a story of its own.  Hit this link to get a peek!

For additional Erie stories, please check out these links:  Clean, GREEN & comfortable; Perch Fishing, Great Lake Cabin,  Campground Potential and Marble Eyes Report.  You can also type in Erie or fishing into the StoryTrax serach field to get more stories.

Contact phone numbers:

Presques Isle State Park  814-833-7424;  Yellow Bike Rentals Waterworks 814-835-8900;  Lifeguard Headquarters (seasonal) 814-833-0526; Seasonal park programs 814-833-0351; Boat tours 814-836-0201 or toll free 800-988-5780;

 If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks: 888-PA-PARKS (voice) - 888-537-7294 (TTY) - 711 (AT&T Relay Services)