St Mary's Ohio and Eldora Speedway

Grand Lake St. Marys was constructed in the early 19th century as a reservoir for the Miami and Erie Canal, which connected the Ohio River with Lake Erie. At one time the lake was the world's largest man-made lake. The canal system thrived for about thirty years in the mid-to-late 19th century before it was replaced by the railroads. In the 1890's oil was discovered in the area, and oil derricks were set up in the lake sometime around 1891. This made Grand Lake the location for the first off shore oil drilling to take place. The lake became one of Ohio's first state parks in 1949 with recreational facilities built in the following years.

The 13,500-acre lake is the gateway to swimming, boating, camping and fishing in one of Ohio's oldest state parks.

I know some of you were wondering why we didn't attend the Kentucky Derby when we were so close.  Well before I could find tickets at a reasonable rate Dave found a 2 night USAC and World of Outlaw show at Eldora Speedway.