Paddle Bar

When I returned to Hotel Kilbourne from Mr Smith’s Coffeehouse, Bhavna was still asleep. She’s generally not an early riser. She always complains about missing the sunrise, and I always explain that in most parts of the world, the sun rises before 10 AM. I sat on the edge of the bed, eating my bacon, egg and cheese croissant sandwich, drinking coffee and exploring Sandusky via Google Maps.

Paddle Bar
Paddle Bar * 2 September 2022 * FujiFilm X-T3 * XF27mmF2.8 R WR

The food truck we had seen the night before at the Jackson Pier Music concert was parked outside the store, next to a mural of a VW bus.

When Bhavna awoke, she made haste of her breakfast and coffee, and soon we were outdoors, exploring the streets. We walked east on Water Street toward the colourful mural I had seen earlier. A mural decorates the side wall to Paddle & Climb. The entrance to Paddle & Climb is just past Facer Park on Water Street. According to Google Maps, Paddle & Climb is an outdoor sports store focused on selling goods for the outdoor lifestyle. That means Patagonia and Prana clothing and other stuff for surfers, rock climbers, and skateboarders.

Paddle Bar
Paddle Bar * 2 September 2022 * FujiFilm X-T3 * XF27mmF2.8 R WR

The part of the mural with the word Sandusky has a raised patio with turquoise-coloured tables and chairs. A quick look around Google Maps with Street View revealed that the mural was painted sometime after 2019, and the raised deck were not present. Google Maps shows this location as Paddle Bar, a bar inside the rear of Paddle & Climb. It was too early for us to go in, but from what I read on their website, the bar sometimes has live music, and patrons enjoy watching the patio sunset. I regret that we didn’t make time to check it out.

Water Street, Sandusky

Before returning to the Kilbourne Hotel, I explored East Water Street starting at Columbus Avenue and stopping at Wayne Street, after which I turned around and walked back to the Kilbourne Hotel. I took a lot of photographs of the historic buildings as the sun rose above the horizon. These are the ones I was drawn to the most.

2 September 2022 * FujiFilm X-T3 * XF27mmF2.8 R WR

I had not yet explored the other areas of Historic Sandusky, but my mind was already drawing parallels with Asbury Park, New Jersey. At least Asbury Park before rapid gentrification and $800,000 two-bedroom condos ruined the skyline. Like Asbury Park, Sandusky was a shore town served by railway and ferry from nearby large cities; New York City in the case of Asbury Park and Toledo and Cleveland in the case of Sandusky. Like Asbury Park, the town fell upon hard times after the railway was shut down. Restaurants and theatres were boarded up, and drug and gun crime took over. Like Asbury Park, the township committee and local businesses have worked hard to revitalise the downtown over the last decade. Almost all of the historic storefronts remain, many with new businesses. If you look closely, you can see the faded remnants of the names of the original businesses that occupied the buildings.

2 September 2022 * FujiFilm X-T3 * XF27mmF2.8 R WR
2 September 2022 * FujiFilm X-T3 * XF27mmF2.8 R WR

The downtown also reminded me of the cobblestone streets and stone arch buildings in downtown Kingstown, St. Vincent. I don’t know if Kingstown looks the same as I remember. It’s been over 30 years, and much could have changed.

Some of the storefronts were obscured by the cars parked on Water Street.

2 September 2022 * FujiFilm X-T3 * XF27mmF2.8 R WR
2 September 2022 * FujiFilm X-T3 * XF27mmF2.8 R WR

8 September 2022 - Mr Smith's Coffee House

As usual, I awoke around 6 AM to take my daily dose of Synthroid. The room was quiet except for the whoosh of air from the overhead air vent. I would be ready for coffee in an hour, so I lay in bed searching Apple Maps for cafes. I found a few that would be open at 7 AM, but Mr Smith’s was the closest.

I exited the Kilbourne Hotel onto Water Street. I had expected to hear at least a few sounds of human activity and was surprised by the quiet. With the sun still below the horizon casting soft glowing light from the sky onto the city street and storefronts, I took a moment to enjoy the peace as I walked toward Columbus Avenue.

Water Street
2 September 2022 * FujiFilm X-T3 * XF27mmF2.8 R WR

Mr Smith’s Coffee House is located on Columbus Avenue which some consider the heart of the historic district of downtown Sandusky, Ohio. This building with it’s classic early 20th century brick exterior is across from the Sandusky State Theatre and just one block from the waterfront.

Mr. Smith's Coffee House
2 September 2022 * FujiFilm X-T3 * XF27mmF2.8 R WR

The interior is warm and inviting with small tables laid out around the floor, with cozy nooks in the far corners for reading or chatting with friends. Local art hangs from the northern wall of the build adjacent to the Little Free Library. Mr. Smith's has been serving in downtown Sandusky, Ohio since 2008. It was still early and the space was fairly empty. I ordered regular coffee and a muffin for Bhavna, and a latte and bacon, egg and cheese on a English muffin for me.

I saw outside to drink my coffee while soaking in the quiet of the town.