Eigth and State

East Fork State Park, home of William H. Harsha Lake. There is some interesting hiking there. The area was farmland before the lake was formed, complete with cornfields, ponds, driveways, roads, and all. The buildings have been removed, but there are remnants of everything else. The last time I went hiking I found some corn still growing.

Yes, it's Alms Park. The first road south of the park with the very sharp bend is Columbia Parkway. This is the point where the Little Miami River valley and Ohio River Valley meet. Your turn.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.108352,-84.429674&spn=0.008700,0.011619&t=k&hl=en

Fairview Park. This is a former stone quarry and site of the Fairview Incline.

Swifton Commons will do. This was the biggest parking lot in Cincinnati when it opened. Your turn.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.186773,-84.462891&spn=0.011212,0.011619&t=k&hl=en

Mt. Airy Forest. Said to be the largest urban park in the U.S.A. at 1,459 acres, although you can argue about the definition of an urban park. Central Park in New York is some 800 acres. Mt. Airy Forest used to be even bigger before I-74 was cut through.

I think I know but I'll let someone else guess.

Yes, it's the zoo. I admit that I barely recognized it when I picked it. Your turn, Grasscat.

I didn't know Henry Ford built the hydro plant. That's neat. Here's the next one. Its a very familiar place. http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.144931,-84.508746&spn=0.005606,0.005810&t=k&hl=en

Route 4 and Fair Avenue in Hamilton. The green area in the center of the picture is Greenwood Cemetary. The lower right corner is the Butler County Fairgrounds. The road just north of the track is State Route 4, aka Erie Blvd, which is the former location of the Miami and Erie Canal. The stream at the top of the picture is a branch of the Great Miami River, and is part of the old hydraulic system. Does anyone know if Hamilton still uses hydroelectric power from the hydraulic canal? I have heard that they still do, but it's a small part of their total power use.

So much gloom - I am not familiar with that building but in general I am happy to see beautiful old buildings be put to good uses. In this case the firefighters have decided to invest a million dollars of their own money into this building. I think this is great news! Second, don't forget about the Statehouse and all the other state-related history in our state capitol. Granted, it doesn't cover Columbus specifically, but you can't say that Columbus doesn't have any local history museums, either. The State House is awesome!

The only local liveries that I know of rent canoes on the Little Miami and Whitewater Rivers. The main reason I'm sure is safety, but the smaller rivers also have more shade and are perhaps more interesting per mile. Kayaking depends on what kind of boat you have. I have a cheap 9' boat. It is stable and easy to use but not as fast. I prefer a canoe with two people, but if I am by myself I take the kayak. Also, it's easier to handle out of the water, and can be transported on a smaller car. I don't do the rough water kayaking.

Hey folks, I missed the paddlefest this year and last but made it to the first two. Although it is safer and more convenient to wait for paddlefest, you can canoe on the Ohio and its tributaries any time. Just be careful of the boats. Cabin Cruisers are the worst, as they throw a quick, high wake. The big tows aren't that bad as they throw long, gentle swells. Depending on the traffic, you might want to stay near shore, or not go out altogether. I bought myself a canoe a few years ago and it would love to get in the water again. The poor thing hasn't been out of the yard yet this summer. I also have a kayak. If anyone would like to make a trip, I'd be glad to take you on a tour. I know of some good places for unusual skyline views. A boat makes a good way to see bridges, too. If a canoe isn't your thing, the BB Riverboats offer tours also. Here are some places I have been so far: Ohio River at Cincinnati Great Miami River at Hamilton Scioto River at Columbus

Yes, it is Ault Park. It was formerly the home of the Cincinnati Flower Show before they moved it to Coney Island this year. Your turn.

Here's the next one. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2276+E+US+Hwy+22+And+3&ll=39.133043,-84.411564&spn=0.005606,0.005810&t=k&hl=en

Valley Vineyards

It is the Cincinnati Water Works. The reservoirs were built between 1897 and 1909, using steam tractors and horse-drawn vehicles. The capacity of the two reservoirs is 330 million gallons. Your turn, Mr. Sparkle.

Ice Piers are structures that were intended to break ice as it comes downstream. The Ohio River doesn't freeze every year, but some years it does, and the large pieces of ice damage boats and structures. The ice piers near the serpentine wall are supposed to protect the public landing specifically. The river color has to do with how much silt or organic material is in it at the time. I think green is supposed to be bad. There's a professor of stream ecology at U.C. that will tell you all you need to know about it if you are interested.

Those stone things are ice piers. There are some more near the serpentine wall at Cincinnati.

Here's the next one. http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.071503,-84.420705&spn=0.011212,0.011619&t=k&hl=en

Union Central Insurance, located at Mill and Waycross. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra just had an outdoor concert on the lawn there, didn't they?

Yes, Riverviewer, it is The Beautiful River, but I asked about the object in the center. It is a boat, but why is it oriented perpendicular to the river, instead of parallel? It is, in fact, the Anderson Ferry, which has been in continuous operation since 1817. http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/anderson.html Your turn, Grasscat.

Specifically, what is the object in the center of the picture? http://maps.google.com/maps?q=cincinnati&ll=39.075022,-84.624982&spn=0.011212,0.011619&t=k&hl=en

Argosy Casino in Lawrenceburg. Also in that photo, notice that the CSX railroad runs down the middle of a street in Lawrenceburg.