Over The Rhine

An urban walk fit our mood today as we went about exploring the Over-The-Rhine area. We parked on Central Parkway at a non-metered spot and walked over to Findlay Market. Walking up Elm we checked out the old Moerlein Brewery building and house before turning right on McMicken which is sometimes referred to as Brewer Boulevard because of the large number of breweries that existed along this street before prohibition. Of course Dan had to stop and admire some of the wild roses growing by the old Lafayette Brewery. We headed down Main Street checking out the many new businesses that are now populating the neighborhood before heading over 12th Street to Elm where we cut though the new Washington Park before heading back up to Findlay Market. For me it's the architecture and history that is so intriguing in this area. Seeming I find a new building with some interesting architectural detail and a piece of history that I never noticed before. Must be why I love walking in this area. A lovely 3 mile walk we did indeed have.

We stopped at Findlay Market because I simply had to stop and pick up some of the best sausages that exist at Kroeger's meats in the market. The sausages are the best. And of course, we had worked up a powerful thirst so we stopped in at Market Wines which is across the street from the main market building for a couple of beers before heading for home.

Miami Whitewater Forest

No urban walking for us today. We chose to do a couple of trails at Miami Whitewater that we have done before but always enjoy. We completed the Oakleaf and Badlands trails which combined are about 2 1/2 miles. There is a good bit of up and downs although nothing overly taxing. The trails wind though some beautiful forests, across some bridges, and up and down some nice hills. Some fall wildflowers were still blooming which always slows us down as we check them out. The trails are not particularly wide in spots so there is a lot of "what did you say" from the person in back when the person in front says something. These trails offer a wonderful hike in the woods and even get the cardiovascular system working a bit.

The beer and pretzels were delicious at McCoy's on Springdale Road. As always one of our favorite stops.

Bellevue & Dayton Kentucky

We chose to explore an area that we weren't very familiar with; Bellevue and Dayton Kentucky. We parked on Taylor Avenue. A three block walk brought us to Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue. We strolled along the main street through Dayton and Bellevue. We stopped to check out the Bellevue City Building built in 1889 and St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church dedicated in 1894. Entering Dayton Fairfield Avenue becomes Sixth Avenue where we enjoyed the old architectureWe would down through the Speers Court Apartments on Fifth Avenue before walking up the steps to the Dayton floodwall which we walked checking out the marinas until we would up back in Bellevue. It was an interesting walk that was about 4 miles in length.

Needless to say, we were thirsty after the walk so we stopped at Avenue Brews on Fairfield Avenue for some beer in the back bar along with some nachos. After all we did need to restore to the lost calories.

River Walk Downtown-Covington-Newport

Today we spent 2 1/2 hours doing the river walk through the International Friendship Park, Bicentennial Commons, Sawyer Point, Covington, and Newport. This is one of my favorite walks in the entire city. We parked in the lot at the beginning of the International Friendship Park on Riverside Drive. We first walked the twisting path through the gardens of Friendship park before walking through Bicentennial Commons and Sawyer point. We then followed the path through Smale Park across the Suspension Bridge to The Licking Historical Area in Covington. Our pace slowed as we read the many historical markers along the way before walking across the bridge to the Newport floodwall, through Newport on the Levee, across the purple people bridge and finally winding our way as walked back through Sawyer Point. Some of my favorite parts of this walk is reading the fascinating history from the French first claiming this area in 1749 to Mary Greene's statue on Mansion Row in Covington. Seeming I learn something new everytime I walk this winding 5.5 mile walk. Today my eye seemed to be drawn to the information on the black brigade in Sawyer Point and Smale Park and to the story of James Bradley, a slave who bought his freedom. His statue sits on a bench in Covington looking over the Ohio River to Cincinnati. The walk is an easy walk and always thoroughly enjoyable.

Of course, after finishing the walk we stopped for a beer at the Hofbrau House in Newport. The Dunkel was excellent as usual as were the pretzels and cheese. As usual, a thoroughly enjoyable day.