PHOTO: VISIT ERIE

When my husband and I reached our Silver anniversary at year 25, he suggested we celebrate in Erie.

What? Are you crazy?

We had celebrated year 20, mind you, in New York City. But he had been traveling up to Erie frequently for a client and was quite impressed with some of the new bayfront developments and natural beauty around Lake Erie.

We stayed at what was then the relatively new lakefront Sheraton Hotel on Dobbins Landing and ended up having a great time, mostly exploring Presque Isle State Park and what was then branded as the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail. At that time, there were 15 wine stops over 40 miles on a route that straddled New York and Pennsylvania. Now it’s dubbed Lake Erie Wine Country, with 21 wineries over 50 miles.

We also had a fantastic dinner at the Stonehouse Inn (now a Japanese restaurant) in nearby Millcreek, where the chef came out of the kitchen — all in his whites — to describe his options for the main entrees. He returned again to explain the desserts. It remains the only place I’ve ever dined where a chef took so much care to explain the selections.

It’s also an example of how you can discover a rare gem in a place you least expect it. Never again will I underestimate Erie as a worthy travel destination.

Beginning on page 60, we focus on just that — Erie as a travel spot and the points in between on the emerging Erie to Pittsburgh bike trail. It’s a big year for Erie, as the Flagship City is expecting as many as 250,000 visitors for a rare total solar eclipse on April 8. Officials with VisitErie are just crossing their fingers that there will be clear skies that day.

As an avid cyclist, I’m looking forward to the day when you can ride from Pittsburgh to Erie on one continuous trail (it’s 70% complete now). Cristina Rouvalis’ story gives a nod to the many volunteers and nonprofits along the developing 270-mile route who have helped dig, clear out, maintain and raise money for the trail that runs along rivers and bays and through wetlands, forests, farmland and quaint towns.

We also spotlight a free pontoon boat tour of Presque Isle, which has been offered by the state since 1985, and activities to delight your children.

PM Managing Editor Sean Collier visited the charming town of Franklin — described on pages 28-29 — which sits at the confluence of French Creek and the Allegheny River and is the seat of Venango County. It was the starting point for the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail 25 years ago and the cyclists coming through town are helping to build up its recreational tourism industry.

We hope you have time to explore the destinations we describe in our Escape to Erie package.

Virginia Linn can be reached at vlinn@pittsburghmagazine.com.