Sunrise 160(!!): Ault Park & East End (Featuring Guest Author Jim Coyne, East End Sunrise Loop)

A somewhat abandoned rail line runs along the Ohio River, connecting ancient industrial sites that are now mostly defunct. More than likely this rail line’s destiny is to end up as a bike trail, connecting parts of Eastern Cincinnati for a new kind of traffic. Ironically, this is the same line that would have ran through R.K. LeBlond’s old East End factory to deliver raw parts for his gun lathe machining.

Boats hangin’ out at the Ohio River Launch Club on the river. In the backdrop we see the hills of Eastern Cincinnati across the “Bend in the River”.

In honor of the 160th sunrise (4x the original project goal!) and our newly arrived spring season, I’m proud to say that we have something special today. This morning’s post features a guest writing from a friend. Jim Coyne is a freelance writer and life enthusiast. Jim has several projects he is involved with, including a book schedule for release in 2012 titled Wild Harmony, “That’s what I Believe” podcast, and a blog where he documents his travels and experiences as he explores our relationship between life, experience, and nature.

I asked Jim a few months back if he’s like to write an article (or do a collaboration) relating to Ault Park Sunrise. I hadn’t heard much about it after we originally talked, but then out of the blue on the first day of Spring I received the following written piece from Jim. If it resonates with you be sure to check out Jim’s homepage & podcast (url below).

Thanks for reading!

This morning’s sunrise was, I’ll admit, quite boring. After missing one of the most vibrant twilight displays (I was 10 minutes too late after setting my alarm incorrectly!) that featured pink and orange bands racing through the eastern sky, I had great hopes for a colorful sunrise. The misty and wet atmosphere created this thick haze that for whatever reason lit up the sky in early twilight but snuffed out the colors as sunrise approached. I realized rather quickly that the sunrise was going to be non-existent, so I set off to explore the lower valley and the Linwood / East End area on the way to Lunken Airfield. Inspired by Jim’s writing and the 160th sunrise post, I found it rather fitting that I would find myself exploring some familiar areas along the quiet streets running through Little Miami & Ohio River valleys.

After an impressive twilight display, the only sunrise colors we got were a small pink highlight. You can see it over there on the left.

Considering the route I am about to embark on, I look out across the valley towards Lunken Airfield. In 20 short minutes I will have descended down into the valley and made it to my destination. You can almost see the bench that sits by the Lunken trail through the dark, warm, and misty atmosphere.

The recent rainstorm has battered the small dogwood blooms in the park. I am finding myself drawn to the dogwood trees this spring. They’re colorful and smell great, and I really like how the tree creates these groupings of flat flowering branches. Rather than bunch up in somewhat of a sphere, the flowers align themselves along a plane parallel to the ground. It’s an aesthetically pleasing effect.

After dropping down into old Linwood, a village that has all but disappeared as an independent entity after slowly being absorbed by the the urban residential expansion of Eastern Cincinnati in the past century, I stopped to ponder once again this Sonada Cigar mosaic. I have explored the history of this mosaic in another sunrise post but still have not gotten to the bottom of it. The mosaic is old, that’s for sure, but even three years ago (before this building’s renovation) Google Street View shows that this mosaic was not present. Where it originally came from, and why it’s now here I have no idea. It’s beautiful though!

It also looks like someone is getting the inside ready for business!

Continuing down Eastern Ave, we come across Double Barrel Brewing Co. This is a brand new brewery that hasn’t opened yet. I can’t wait!

For the rest of this post, 16 pictures total, please click to continue if you’re on the front page:

Just a bit further down the road we come to Terry’s Turf Club, a local burger joint that has mustered up quite the following after being featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The staff was getting ready for the day as I rolled on by just after sunrise.

Eastern Ave is a fun road to explore. Most of the homes were built a long time ago, back when this industrial area was booming. This appears to be an old gas station who has long since shut its doors. It’s probably been a good 10, 20, 40? years since this part of Eastern Ave was used as a main throughway. A gas station on a tiny road tucked away off of the beaten path doesn’t stand much of a chance.

Along Eastern Ave there are half a dozen or so abandoned lots. There are probably more but they’re becoming indistinguishable from the forest. I like this lot because it is well maintained as a grass yard and still shows the history of the land. Back in the forest you can find old stone walls that served as support against the hill side.

The lush forest looms over the abandoned lot across the street from the gas station.

Continuing down Eastern Ave I finally reach my destination. We see the sun is finally able to punch through the cloud layer. A single prop-plane was the only activity I saw at the airport as I looked out across the valley from the bike path.

Before heading back up the hill I swung down by the Ohio River to see what was going on down at the Ohio River Launch Club. I always like checking their spot out because it’s quiet, scenic, and there always seems to be lots of animal activity. This morning I wasn’t disappointed!

Two geese were hanging out under the walkway, along with some duck cousins. To the right we see a river otter swimming around through the water!

A river otter! He didn’t seem to mind me. He had other things on his to-do list today.

Look at the baby duck! What a cutie.

A final shot… looking up the Ohio River from the launch ramp. Thanks for reading!