Summer is going fast. Go ahead and go wild. Just hop in the car and head north to Lake Erie.

Ohio's north shore is worth the trip. There are plenty of opportunities to fish, boat and camp. If you'd prefer something more daring, take a ride on the 420-foot tall Dragster, one of 17 roller coasters at Cedar Point.

Whether you're in the mood for nature, adventure, history or just fun, a trip to Lake Erie can satisfy anyone.

Ottawa, Sandusky and Erie counties and the Lake Erie Islands boast several hundred miles of shoreline with lots of public access for everyone who enjoys water sports. Gov. James A. Rhodes once dubbed the lake area the Walleye Capital of the World because more than one-third of Ohio's anglers fish on Lake Erie. The lake, however, is home to many other fish, including smallmouth and largemouth bass, for which the Bass Islands are named.

Lake Erie is the 10th largest lake in the world. It's the southernmost and shallowest of North America's five Great Lakes. The name comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived along the lake's southern shore.

The Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes, stands at the tip of the Marblehead Peninsula. It has guided many sailors safely along Ohio's rocky shores and serves as a good vantage point from which visitors can set course for a memorable vacation.

The Lake Erie Shores and Islands Regional Travel Planner available free from the Erie County Visitors Bureau (http://www.shoresandislands.com) is a great travel-planning resource. It's filled with information on many attractions, ferries, lodging and more. The Ottawa County Web site (http://www.lake-erie.com) is also full of ideas for designing your itinerary.

Need a little more encouragement?

Take a hydrojet catamaran from Port Clinton or Sandusky to Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island. Paddle about in a single- or double-person kayak. Rent a golf cart and take in some of the island's sights. Walk through a butterfly house. Picnic and explore the rocky beach at South Bass Island State Park. Sample island wines.

Hike some of the seven miles of nature trails in East Harbor State Park near Port Clinton, then camp at one of its 570 campsites. Walk the boardwalk and trails at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge or stroll 27 acres of gardens at Schedel Arboretum and Gardens.

Inclement weather? No worries. Castaway Bay, an indoor water-park resort, offers a Caribbean-themed experience rain or shine. It's got 10 water slides, a wave pool and water coaster. When you've had enough, it has a spa to help you relax and rejuvenate.