I enjoy vacationing at Sherkston Shores so much that I could spend a month there without ever leaving the grounds. There is, however, so much to see in the area that I never remain close to the trailer for long. In this article, we'll explore a few of those spots.

Old Fort Erie, about eight miles from Sherskton was the site of one of the War of 1812's bloodiest battles. Today, Old Fort Erie stands as a living reminder of the thousands of troops killed or injured in the English siege of the fort in the summer of 1814. The Battle at Fort Erie was a key to the survival of the brand new United States. Stop and visit the monuments and buildings that stand in its remembrance. Fort Erie is open daily from 10:00 to 5:00 starting early in May and continuing through early October. The admission fee is $9.25 Canadian. If you're lucky enough to be in Fort Erie on August 8th and 9th, be sure to be a part of Old Fort Erie's annual Siege Weekend. Here you can watch actors re-create the battles that took place in that deadly month in 1814.

Have you ever wondered how giant cargo ships make it back and forth between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario? Since we know the that ships can't go over Niagara Falls, there has to be alternate way. The alternate route is the 27 mile long Welland Canal that leaves Lake Erie at Port Colborne and enters Lake Ontario at Port Weller. There is a set of eight locks along the way that raise or lower the vessels by over 300 feet. It takes about 15 minutes to drive from Sherkston Shores to Port Colborne so you can take your picnic backpack and eat your lunch in the beautiful park that overlooks lock number 8. With any luck, you'll see a giant cargo vessel passing through the lock. In fact, on a clear day, you can watch a ship arrive at Port Colborne from the beach at Sherkston Shores and have enough time to jump in the car, drive to Port Colborne and watch the same ship go through the lock. I've watched lots of ships make this trip and I never get tired of it. There are two cool old drawbridges that open and close as the ships pass through lock number 8. While you're in Port Colborne, you can enjoy a meal in a restaurant, pick up some fishing bait or have an ice cream cone among many other things.

Are you an auto racing fan? If you are, you will want to get to Humberstone Speedway in nearby Gasport. This 3/8 mile clay oval runs each Sunday evening during the summer. The top class is the Sportsman Modifieds and the faster 358 Small Block Modifieds run a couple times a month. Make sure to get there before practice and see the street stocks slide around all over the place as they work in the track for the races. I've never seen this ritual anywhere else and I have to say that it's hysterical. Humberstone Speedway is less than 15 minutes from the resort so be sure to check it out.

In my next article, we're going to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake. Once you know about it, you're going to want to spend a a day there. Have I told you yet that Sherkston Shores is only half an hour from Niagara Falls? I've been to the Falls lots of times and I know of ways to see the falls that you've probably never heard about. Beginning with article 6, and continuing until I finish, I'm going to tell you about may favorite things to see in Niagara Falls. Keep watching because I'm even going to tell you where to park your car.