I was dropped off at Yeatmn's Cove next to the Cincinnati Reds Great American Ballpark and the Ohio River. There was a 1230pm ball game so there was a flurry of activity in the area. It was a beautiful spring day. After taking a few obligatory start-of-the-hike photos I waived goodbye to my mother and her husband Jim and started walking.
I did not get very far very fast. Downtown Cincinnati along the riverfront is very beautiful and scenic. There were lots of parks, monuments and markers. I had to check out each one. People were jogging, biking and walking by. Flowers were in bloom and the birds were chirping. I loved staring at the mighty Ohio River and gazing into Kentucky. I took lots of photos.
Soon the walk way ended at Friendship Park and I had to walk on sidewalks on Riverside Drive. This area is more what I expected of an urban area with old, empty buildings and some decaying homes along side some very nice homes. All had a view of the river. I had no maps so I decided to ask a mailman for directions. He was very helpful and, of course, he knew all the roads in the area.
I was pleasantly surprised by the many signs saying "Ohio Bike Route #1 - Ohio To Erie Trail". These are metal signs attached to utility poles.
I soon came to Schmidt Boat launch and park. The trail was back on a bike path here for a short distance. I saw two barges heading up river. Very cool. One was going faster than I could walk and the other was slower than me. It was time to say goodbye to the Ohio River and head north. I was a bit sad to leave the river but I knew I had to.
As the route snaked through a residential area I passed by an old cemetery from 1795 near the former Carrell Street railroad station. Not much was left of this cemetery. A sign said it contained the graves of six Revolutionary War veterans and probably the grave of Sgt William Brown who was the first recipient of the Purple Heart.
I continued my trek up Wilmer Avenue along the valley of the Little Miami River. I took an afternoon break at Frisches and continued into the delightful town of Mariemont. Mariemont is a cool little town that has a European feel with stone buildings and European architecture.
Soon I arrived at the Little Miami River bike path. No more road walking for a long time. For about 60 miles I will be on this path. No turns, no getting lost and no cars. The bike path follows a former railroad.
I arrived in Milford at 630pm. I visited the outfitters of Roads Rivers and Trails where I was met by Joe and Emily White who are some of the owners. As usual they were very nice and helpful. I filled my water bottles there, charged my phone and rested my feet there.
Around sunset I wandered over to Terrell Park where they allow camping. I had mailed my camping permit and $5 check to the city a few days earlier. I set up my tent in the Appalachian Trail style shelter in the park and went right to bed. I was quite tired from the hectic days leading up to my hike and the 15 miles I hiked today. I stayed in my tent for 11 hours.
