George Rogers Clark Trail

Day 9: August 29th, 1999 Cincinnati — Jeffersonville

Cincinnati Downtown

Although it is Sunday, I am finished with breakfast at Bob Evans around nine. I follow Highway 125 and 50 to Downtown Cincinnati. On Highway 50 I drove on to the little town North Bend, where Harrison Tomb is located.

Harrison Tomb

Harrison Tomb

The signs to the tomb are not very well, so it took me a while to find it. It lays on top of a hill with a perfect view of the Ohio River valley. Today is sunshine and I have the chance to take some real good pictures from this area.

Cliff Road, Ohio River

On Highway 50 I drive on to Aurora, where I branch to the smaller Highway 56. Past Rising Sun, it changes to Highway 156. I am passing open fields and little villages. The hills are getting less and less.

Clifty Falls State Park

At Vevay, I am back on Highway 56 on which I reach Madison. There I plan to visit the Clifty Falls State Park. The park was founded in 1920 and has 4 water falls. The highest one is the “Tunnel Falls”, which is 83 feet. On Trail 3 I reach the “Hoffmann Falls” first. They are the second highest falls in the State Park with 78 feet. But due to the summer heat, the river is less than a creek. And so there is only very little water on the falls.

Clifty Falls State Park, Cake_Rock

I follow Trail 4 and 5 to the tunnel. But I can not visit the tunnel itself, because I have no lamp and not the right shoes. Maybe it’s time to get some tennis. I reach the “Tunnel Falls” on Trail 5, but they are also low on water. I decide to follow Trail 2 into the river bed, which is also a little creek now. But the big trunks in the river bed show, how much force this little creek will have in the spring time. Finally I follow Trail 8 back to my car.

River Bottom Road, IN

River Bottom Road, IN

When I leave the State Park, it’s already half past five. At Hanover I turn left into the next backroads to follow the Ohio as close as possible. The roads are sometimes gravel, sometimes paved. But on these roads you have the time to stop for some pictures or just go slow to enjoy the nature. In Charleston area, I hit the Highway again. I reach the Motel 6 in Jeffersonville on Highway 62 around 8pm. I am really tired from the long hike in the park and I am glad to see a Chi Chi’s close to the Motel. The last one I have been in was pretty good, so I try again this one. I have a nice talk to my server, who’s grandmother also comes from Germany. The clock shows close to nine, when I leave the Chi Chi’s and say goodbuy. On my way back to the Motel I see a Denny’s. So no search for breakfast tomorrow.