Saint Marys, Ohio

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We explored this little town while Mike's Lectric bike motor was being replaced. Memorial Park is home to many community-funded projects such as the "Belle of St. Marys" Canal Boat, Memorial Covered Bridge, Veterans Walkway, Clock Tower, and Grotto. Grand Lake St, Marys, completed in 1845, was a reservoir to supply water for the Miami and Erie Canal. For many years, the 17,500-acre reservoir was the largest artificial body of water in the world. The "Belle of St. Marys" is a replica of a full-scale canal boat that was used to travel along the canal. Celina is situated on the northwestern shores of Grand Lake St. Marys. Nearby Windy Point is a rocky jetty that protrudes out into the lake towards Safety Island. This scenic trail has a full view of the lake from both sides.

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Photos

Angel Wings
Art on one of the back of one of the downtown buildings in St. Marys. They were beautiful. Lois could not resist a photo.

Bell Tower
Built in 1937 it was the firehouse belltower. Used to dry the fire hoses after a fire and to sound an alarm when a fire broke out. It was reconstructed in Memorial Park.

Belle of St Marys
Replica of a canal boat that you can climb up on at the park.

Canal Boat replica
I am sure the boats were crowded when filled with cargo and people.

Covered Bridge
This was at the park as well. Definitely a step back in time.

Miami-Erie Canal Lock
Maintained lock on the canal. Just there for show, not used.

St Marys 40 Acre Pond
This is a view from the canal tow path bike trail. We biked past a farmer's electric fence. The electric field from the fence induced an electrical charge on our bikes. Touching the metal brake handle gave us quite a shock! Now we know to watch for this when passing an electric fence on our electric bikes!

St Marys Canal Path Crossing Tunnel
On the way out on the trail we took the drainage pipe under the highway. That was a first and a little damp. On the way back we took the trail that went under the highway.