September Meet and Greet for the Great Lakes Pod

[Ligeia]

Hello everyone! Allow me to open this thread with a little introduction. My name is Ligeia and I’m a new mer to the community and to the mermaiding world. I live down in the southern Ohio area near Wheelersburg and you can usually find me in nearby lakes! A handful of us on a separate thread thought it would be nifty to have a meet-up in September and stretch our tails out! I’ll be naming a few in this first post but feel free to jump right on in - everyone is welcome.

Intro aside, the following mers have already expressed an interest in the get together so I’ll mostly be using their data in my thoughts on where we should hold the meet up. (Those mers being: iamonlyme@me.com / Mermaid Caspiana / KateyMermaid /TheAutisticMermaid respectively).

Now TheAutisticMermaid is usually swimming around Canadian waters but she’s traveling a bit south in September for a visit! So we’ll be choosing a date around her arrival so she can jump in on the fun.

The mers locations are (roughly) as follows:
*Ligeia - Wheelersburg, OH
*Mermaid Caspiana - Canton, OH
*KateyMermaid - Columbus, OH
*TheAutisticMermaid - Athens, OH (for a bit!)
*iamonlyme@me.com - Fort Wayne, IN

There is also a Cincinnati mer who may be joining in as well. Not sure yet on her, though. We may also have other additions which would bring about change (such as if we had someone from WV coming in). As a note - these are just general times from (ex.) “Cincinnati, OH” to “Columbus, OH.” The following seems to be the best result in terms of drive-times, swim spots, etc.

Right now, Columbus seems to be the most economical. In terms of drive-times, this option gives several mers shorter trips. For myself and iamonlyme, we would be looking at a three hour drive easy. Caspiana would be looking at a little over a two hour drive. Meanwhile those in Athens and Cincinnati would have about an hour - almost two hour - drive. Columbus seems to be the closet medium I’ve found so far in terms of equal drive times - save, of course, Katey, as she lives in the area. (There is also Chillicothe as an option and a great alternative for many mers but I’m not familiar with an locations nearby. Definitely need to consider this, though!)

Mers near the northern area may be able to help pinpoint good swim spots. Feel free to post any ideas you can come up with, lovely spots to swim in...anything you can think of! We've got awhile to hash this out so take your time!

[Mermaid Whisper]

*screams* all you FINTASTIC mers and I'm still in northern Virginia!

Have fun!


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[Ligeia]

Whisper - Awwwwwe! You're more than welcome to come join! Though it may be a bit of a drive...I'm really close down to the border (sort of...ish.) So depending on where you're at, maybe a separate meet up is in order! The Great Lakes Pod is sooooo spread out! It would be wonderful to meet everyone - or even just a few!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

You beat me to it. Haha
But you probably did it better than I would've. lol

I'll have a little look, as I've looked for other meet-up attempts, for some nice spots. ;) I really hope we can do this!
Also, maybe we can try to aim at a weekend, because I'll be in school in September. ;) <3

[TheSaltySiren]

So looking forward to this :)

[Arquamella Culture]

I would love to meet up and make this thing happen!!! hello everyone i am new to mernetwork and mermaiding and would love to meet all of you! feel free to message me about anything i am always happy to make new friends!

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

yay i am here and i can't wait!!!!

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

I know Hocking Hills Stae Park
has fantastic spots for photos and swimming it is about 1 hr from columbus closer to Athens
but i am open to anywhere just need a date so i can take the time off of work

[TheSaltySiren]

Okay so anyone made that Facebook page? Or should I just go ahead and post the link when I am done?

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

Okay so anyone made that Facebook page? Or should I just go ahead and post the link when I am done?

Go ahead :)


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[Ligeia]

I know Hocking Hills Stae Park
has fantastic spots for photos and swimming it is about 1 hr from columbus closer to Athens
but i am open to anywhere just need a date so i can take the time off of work

This is a fantastic idea! Right now I'm leaning towards the Twin Quarries in Circleville but I wanted to ask Mermaid Katey about it. (When I get a chance...things have been insanely busy for me lately!) Lake Logan is nearby the Hocking Hills State Park if I'm not mistaken? Or am I thinking of something completely else?




Okay so anyone made that Facebook page? Or should I just go ahead and post the link when I am done?

I haven't made it (I've been too busy). It doesn't look as if Mermaid Tami has had the chance either. If you want to make it then go for it!

[Ligeia]

Also...TheAutisticMermaid...you get here on September 14th, right? How long will you be staying here? Mermaid Caspiana will be in school so a weekend would be best for her. So I was thinking September 17th may be a good idea. I'd like to include as many people as possible!

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

This is a fantastic idea! Right now I'm leaning towards the Twin Quarries in Circleville but I wanted to ask Mermaid Katey about it. (When I get a chance...things have been insanely busy for me lately!) Lake Logan is nearby the Hocking Hills State Park if I'm not mistaken? Or am I thinking of something completely else?





I haven't made it (I've been too busy). It doesn't look as if Mermaid Tami has had the chance either. If you want to make it then go for it!
Yes I also believe it is lake Logan :)

[TheSaltySiren]

I will be there until December :)

[Ligeia]

Yes I also believe it is lake Logan :)

I know the Hocking Hills area takes up several different attractions (including Old Man's Cave, Lake Hope and so on). But they're pretty spread apart. I've never been out to that particular lake but, from what I'm seeing, it looks pretty! Was that the lake you were meaning or somewhere else within the area?

[Ligeia]

I will be there until December :)

Oh!! That is fantastic! So we have time. It seems like the 17th may be the best time to do it!

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

Well lake Logan is great for swimming old mans cave is great for photos I am a photographer and I would be will do do shots for any mers who show up at no cost of course here is the prime photo place inside old mans cave 38751
The 17th works for me my daughter is so excited I am hoping my tail is ready by than if not I will wear a fabric one and one of my sons is thinking of coming with his tail :)

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[Ligeia]

Well lake Logan is great for swimming old mans cave is great for photos I am a photographer and I would be will do do shots for any mers who show up at no cost of course here is the prime photo place inside old mans cave 38751
The 17th works for me my daughter is so excited I am hoping my tail is ready by than if not I will wear a fabric one and one of my sons is thinking of coming with his tail :)

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I used to visit Old Man's Cave frequently. It is gorgeous out there during the summer and after a fresh rain! I think that would be fun! Maybe we could have a shoot earlier in the day (for those who wanted one) and then swimming shortly after. Or something like that. I'm definitely open to ideas!

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

I am also open to anything anyone wants to do :) I will be doing photos with my daughter either before or after depending on meet time


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[TheSaltySiren]

OMG that location is gorgeous and like a fantasy! We can turn it into a mermaid lagoon for the shoot! So fantastic! I am also a photographer and would love to grab some shots as well before I get into my tail.

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

OMG that location is gorgeous and like a fantasy! We can turn it into a mermaid lagoon for the shoot! So fantastic! I am also a photographer and would love to grab some shots as well before I get into my tail.

Yay I love meeting up with so many creative people!!!


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[TheSaltySiren]

We should have someone video it as well! Would be awesome to have bunch a real mermaids together :)

[Ligeia]

This would be a BLAST! Unfortunately my camera is out of commission. :( Otherwise I'd be jumping in on this too! I'm more of a behind the camera sort myself.

I think this would be a ton of fun!

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[Ligeia]

Added note: What if we did a group versus a page? That may be easier to do in terms of events and sharing pictures and the like from the pod's adventures!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

I really hope I can go. This sounds great! :) I've always wanted to go to Hocking Hills. :)
My mom is actually starting her own photography business to and is going to get a GoPro (she has a nice camera but is returning it because her iPhone 6plus takes better pics lol). She'd be coming with me if I go (I'm fairly certain I can), so there's another person for photos and videos. :)

(BTW if anyone is in need of a tail and has the funds, I'd love to make you one and bring it to the meetup for you excluding shipping altogether! :) )


Added note: What if we did a group versus a page? That may be easier to do in terms of events and sharing pictures and the like from the pod's adventures!
What do you mean by that? Like a FB Messenger group? Either works for me. ;)

[Ligeia]

I really hope I can go. This sounds great! :) I've always wanted to go to Hocking Hills. :)
My mom is actually starting her own photography business to and is going to get a GoPro (she has a nice camera but is returning it because her iPhone 6plus takes better pics lol). She'd be coming with me if I go (I'm fairly certain I can), so there's another person for photos and videos. :)

(BTW if anyone is in need of a tail and has the funds, I'd love to make you one and bring it to the meetup for you excluding shipping altogether! :) )


What do you mean by that? Like a FB Messenger group? Either works for me. ;)

So many photographers and artsy people! Woot! The Hocking Hills are gorgeous pretty much all year round. I think you'd enjoy it! As for the group I was meaning like one of those closed groups that you can create. One you can set privacy settings on and stuff. It's an idea. I can attempt to make one. They're not too hard to do, I don't think.

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

I like. The idea of a group over a page because of page is public where a group is more private


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[Ligeia]

I like. The idea of a group over a page because of page is public where a group is more private


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My thoughts exactly! With a basic "Closed Group," others can find the group page but can't see the posts. So we would be protected from most creeps if they were to stumble upon it (versus a page where they can do some pretty nasty damage in the comments section). Plus, with a page, we would be getting a lot of likes from people outside of the pod as well. It could get messy quickly are just my thoughts.

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

I agree :) I think a group is the way to go


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[Ligeia]

I agree :) I think a group is the way to go


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Hmm! I'll wait to create one until this evening (so I can get some of the other mer's thoughts on it). But it sounds like a plan. Everything is coming together!

[Ligeia]

Additionally, there is also the fact that a "Pod of the Great Lakes" already exists (created by Mermaid Iona and some others). I sent a request to join some time ago but have since retracted it as the group appears to be silent despite its eighty-some members. So we may have to go with "Mers of the Great Lakes" or something along those lines.

[TheSaltySiren]

A group is way better, and have you made it? Let us know.

Also if we can make the meet up the weekend after the 17th that would a lot better for me :)

[Ligeia]

A group is way better, and have you made it? Let us know.

Also if we can make the meet up the weekend after the 17th that would a lot better for me :)

I've not made it yet. I think I will go ahead and create it though. Worst comes to worst and we decide on another method, I'll just pull it down. :) As for the date, the 17th was just an idea. The 24th would work as well! Honestly, the later the better for me. With my job, I have to request my days off in advance. They're more likely to approve the days if they are further in the future. And where both my boyfriend and I work at the same place, we'd both have to request.

If I can get some more input on the date and we can make it official, then I'll create an event for it as well!

[Ligeia]

Quick little hiccup. I need someone to message me their name so I can add them to the group. :/ It won't let me create it unless I add a member.

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

Becky Htut-Castro my daughter is Tailynn Htut both on Facebook and the weekend after the 17th is even better for me also


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[TheSaltySiren]

Whats the name of the group? I am Abby Millar on Facebook :)

[Ligeia]

Becky Htut-Castro my daughter is Tailynn Htut both on Facebook and the weekend after the 17th is even better for me also


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Thank you! But I had to go a weird dumb way and do it by adding someone off my friend's list. I tried to invite you but...ehhhhh. It's being stubborn. So here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1042958342426407/

You can also find it by searching for "Mers of the Great Lakes" (name up for debate) in the search bar and be able to find it there. :)

[TheSaltySiren]

Hey all, So I may not be going to Ohio, But Jamaica instead!!!!

[Arquamella Culture]

oh darn i was hoping to meet you in ohio... Im still down to participate in a group swim!!! im flexible so its no biggy to me! just as long as its not too cold.
you can contact me better by Arquamella Culture @facebook.com hit me up! i need friends! :)

[TheSaltySiren]

Yep it's official, just booked my tickets and will be flying out in September and we have our own private beach!!! And my tailmaker is going to be meeting me there to hand deliver me my silicone tail! :cheerleader:
38874
38875

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

Yep it's official, just booked my tickets and will be flying out in September and we have our own private beach!!!
38874
38875

Man wish we could meet there lol nice make sure to share pictures :)


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[TheSaltySiren]

Anyone who wants to fly over is welcome to come stay with us for a bit, we are there for 3-4 months :)

[KateyMermaid]

Ok slowly catching up on this thread!
Hocking hills is gorgeous, but there is significant hiking involved. Those with heavy or large tails may have trouble getting down to the lagoons. It's not an easy flat hike either

Twin quarries is nice. It's deep--no real beach entry. Typically it's divers only, but im sure the dive shop that manages it would be ok with mermaids. He's let mermaids swim there in the past. There are no safety measures in place at twin quarries. Just FYI.

There is Cesar Creek in southern Ohio off of 71 between Cinci and Columbus. State park, beaches, fairly clean and warm water.

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

I have only ever been to hocking hills but I am up for anything :)


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[Mermaid Caspiana]

Yep it's official, just booked my tickets and will be flying out in September and we have our own private beach!!! And my tailmaker is going to be meeting me there to hand deliver me my silicone tail! :cheerleader:
38874
38875
Oh you lucky duck... <3 Well we'll miss you and have so much fun! :) Hopefully next time! ;)

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Ok slowly catching up on this thread!
Hocking hills is gorgeous, but there is significant hiking involved. Those with heavy or large tails may have trouble getting down to the lagoons. It's not an easy flat hike either

Twin quarries is nice. It's deep--no real beach entry. Typically it's divers only, but im sure the dive shop that manages it would be ok with mermaids. He's let mermaids swim there in the past. There are no safety measures in place at twin quarries. Just FYI.

There is Cesar Creek in southern Ohio off of 71 between Cinci and Columbus. State park, beaches, fairly clean and warm water.
Maybe if we d Hoocking Hills, we could all figure out some sort of backpack mechanism for those with bigger and/or heavier tails. Because ever since I coated mine in silicone, it became a lot heavier. Lol

Also I looked up Caesar Creak. It is really pretty. :)
https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M4580bf46d6216f15523ce0a7e7a871d1o0&pid=15.1https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M23fa3d7011b08d448bedbc0fd5511091o0&pid=15.1http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/portals/parks/Images/parks/caesar_creek/caesarcreekbanner-jpgs/caesar1.jpg

And Twin Quarries does look nice, but deep yes. Lol And with the lack of pictures on google, it doesn't look like there are that many spots to take a breather or photos for that matter. Lol

Hopefully by next summer, it won't be completely flooded, but a few years ago we started going to Summersville Lake, WV for boating, camping, and cliff jumping (it's so much freaking fun lol), but this year, the dam flooded everything, like majorly, there were several deaths. It's bad. But hopefully next year we go and I can let some of you know because it's really beautiful and fun. :)

[Ligeia]

Ok slowly catching up on this thread!
Hocking hills is gorgeous, but there is significant hiking involved. Those with heavy or large tails may have trouble getting down to the lagoons. It's not an easy flat hike either

Twin quarries is nice. It's deep--no real beach entry. Typically it's divers only, but im sure the dive shop that manages it would be ok with mermaids. He's let mermaids swim there in the past. There are no safety measures in place at twin quarries. Just FYI.

There is Cesar Creek in southern Ohio off of 71 between Cinci and Columbus. State park, beaches, fairly clean and warm water.

This was something I was worried about with the photo shoot idea. But I wasn't sure how many with heavier tails were planning on tagging along. Somewhere like Lake Logan wouldn't be an issue but the hike needed for the Old Man's Cave area would be rough on those toting silicone. Cesar Creek is gorgeous! I've never been there but if it is half as gorgeous as the photos, I definitely will be making a trip! As for Twin Quarries...I've had a few people tell me to go there. But so far, you're the only one with much feed back on it. :/

On an additional note...I'm heading out to the Rocky Fork State Park in Hillsboro on Saturday. I've heard it is nice out there. I'll have to give some feed back once I've scoped it out!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

The backpack idea I was talking about, could maybe be something like this, with a little more support since this is for fabric tails, but gets the idea flowing lol.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxMDAw/z/j0QAAOSwWntXMipb/$_35.JPG?set_id=8800005007

[merstorm]

hey was thinking about going to the dunes in Indiana

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

hey was thinking about going to the dunes in Indiana
The dunes are beautiful :)


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[KateyMermaid]

The backpack idea I was talking about, could maybe be something like this, with a little more support since this is for fabric tails, but gets the idea flowing lol.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxMDAw/z/j0QAAOSwWntXMipb/$_35.JPG?set_id=8800005007

That's not a bad idea for a lightweight tail. But that kind of fabric and thin straps won't support anything more than 10-15lbs.
House of Flynn makes a mermaid backpack for $230. Seriously tempted to get one. It was designed to hold the largest merbellas fluke

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160828/9438459227fce076ad470acef499b55c.jpg

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

Nice


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[Ligeia]

The dunes are gorgeous! But over a six hour drive for me. :( I'm not sure that I could make that.

As for the backpacks...those are gorgeous, Katey! And extremely convenient.

Rocky Fork was lovely! I had a ton of fun. There is a bit of underwater plant life right as you get into the water but it only lasts for a little over a food. The area was surprisingly clean as well! I was definitely not used to the tide formed by boats as I usually swim in a still lake but it wasn't hard to get used to. The area itself was big enough for you splash around with little to no fear of running into someone. The clarity, though, is a bit rough. But better than my area for sure! There were quite a few people who wanted to know about our tails/touch them/etc. There was even a woman from Buffalo who was kicking herself for not having a camera on hand. It was entertaining! The other mer I went with and I had a blast!

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

My daughter had her first mermaid experience with little kids :) we went to the lake today and she stayed in persona since there were so many little kids around. ( man she was heavy to carry out lol) but she did great and the kids had fun "petting" her tail 388943889538896


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[merstorm]

I really want to go but should not go alone was hoping to find someone to meet there or have someone go with to the dunes

[Ligeia]

@Iamonlyme - GORGEOUS tail! Your daughter looks lovely and so excited. I'm glad she had a good time.

@merstorm The Dunes are definitely somewhere I have on my mer-list now. But not something I could afford to do currently. Your best bet would be to seek for Indiana-specific mers or those in northern Ohio (closer to the border) to do a meet up with. I recently did a meet up with a mer from Cincinnati since it was convenient for us and required little planning. That may be a great option for you!

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[Mermaid Caspiana]

That's not a bad idea for a lightweight tail. But that kind of fabric and thin straps won't support anything more than 10-15lbs.
House of Flynn makes a mermaid backpack for $230. Seriously tempted to get one. It was designed to hold the largest merbellas fluke

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160828/9438459227fce076ad470acef499b55c.jpg
Oh I know those wouldn't work for our tails lol. But it was like an idea starter. ;) And those are gorgeous. If I had the money I'd totally go for one. Lol I might attempt a DIY version. Who knows. Hehe


The dunes are gorgeous! But over a six hour drive for me. :( I'm not sure that I could make that.

As for the backpacks...those are gorgeous, Katey! And extremely convenient.

Rocky Fork was lovely! I had a ton of fun. There is a bit of underwater plant life right as you get into the water but it only lasts for a little over a food. The area was surprisingly clean as well! I was definitely not used to the tide formed by boats as I usually swim in a still lake but it wasn't hard to get used to. The area itself was big enough for you splash around with little to no fear of running into someone. The clarity, though, is a bit rough. But better than my area for sure! There were quite a few people who wanted to know about our tails/touch them/etc. There was even a woman from Buffalo who was kicking herself for not having a camera on hand. It was entertaining! The other mer I went with and I had a blast!
Glad you guys had fun ! :))


My daughter had her first mermaid experience with little kids :) we went to the lake today and she stayed in persona since there were so many little kids around. ( man she was heavy to carry out lol) but she did great and the kids had fun "petting" her tail 388943889538896


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Awww! Looks like she had a blast! :) So happy she loves her tail! <3 :)

[Arquamella Culture]

mermaid Ligiea and I had a blast at rocky fork state park saterday!!! it was so much fun! thank you so much Ligiea for the meet up and being my friend!
I hope to meet up with more mers soon or during the meet up in september! is anyone near cincinnati ohio? i know of a pool or two that are fin friendly located an hour from my living quarters. hit me up if you want to swim!!!

[merstorm]

Hey kool I so want to go for a swim thank you ligeia

[Arquamella Culture]

merstorm where are you located? maybe we could meet up and go for a swim?!

[merstorm]

Hey arguamella I am from the Chicago il burbs been planning on going up to the dunes in Indiana I think there about 4 hours from you. if you do want to go be cool to meet up for a swim :D

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

Hey arguamella I am from the Chicago il burbs been planning on going up to the dunes in Indiana I think there about 4 hours from you. if you do want to go be cool to meet up for a swim :D

I am in Indiana dunes would be cool


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[merstorm]

Anytime you want to go let me know be very very cool