25.05C - Ohio to Maine and back | from rscottjones
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from rscottjones

25.05C - Ohio to Maine and back

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    We also hung out with Jack and Hannah, who we met on that 24 day overlanding safari in Africa during our 100-day adventure and became fast friends.

    We got a chance to stay at their cool new house in the hip Fishtown neighborhood of Philly while celebrating Jen’s bday, a trip highlight.

    🏷️25.05C

    Four people are smiling and posing together inside a room with light-colored walls.
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    I think I missed posting here on ye olde microblog about getting together with my questing buddy, Tom, during the trip. He’s at least partially responsible for me adopting a solid chunk of my weirder quests. Here’s us pointing to stuff on the map. 🏷️25.05C

    Three people are pointing at different locations on a wall-mounted map.
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    A couple views of Pittsburgh from my trip. I had planned on visiting two additional viewpoints, but instead found myself down by the river and spent too much time there before I needed to skedaddle, knowing I’ll likely be back soon with Jen for some SW PA national parks. 🏷️25.05C

    A city skyline with modern buildings is visible across a river, surrounded by bridges and lush greenery.A scenic view showcases a city skyline with rivers, bridges, and lush greenery in the foreground.

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    I’m back home after my road trip.

    Still have some additional photos and wrap-ups to post—something I’m trying to do a better job of than in the past.

    It’s so easy during my whirlwind trips, which usually feature crappy internet at my campsite when I finally have a chance to post stuff, to get behind on trip updates. And then, upon arriving home, getting too busy catching up on all the things to get around to it.

    I’m hoping to do a bit better of a job of that this go-round.

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    I also visited Ripley, a small town that featured two important figures in abolition and the Underground Railroad: John Rankin and John Parker. I stopped by both of their historic houses, which are now museums (closed today, of course 🙄). The Parker house might become a future NPS unit. 🏷️25.05C

    A two-story brick building with white trim and a central doorway sits in a grassy area, featuring a sign in front.A small, red-brick house with a wooden roof and a porch sits on a grassy landscape with a clear blue sky. Ohio Historical Marker for Ripley, Ohio, describing its history and significance in abolitionism and its founding in 1812. Ohio Historical Marker for The John P. Parker House with a description of his achievements and historical significance.

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    Got in a short hike on the Buckeye Trail that encircles Ohio in East Fork State Park this morning. There’s an effort brewing to include the trail in the National Parks System, so gotta pre-mark it off while I’m here. 😂 🏷️ 25.05C

    A tree marked with two blue rectangles stands among others in a dense green forest.A gravel path winds through a lush, green forest under a canopy of trees.A small waterfall flows over rocks surrounded by lush green foliage.

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    Was told I had to stop here (or Gold Star) while passing thru Cincinnati. Welp, I absolutely DO NOT need to come here ever again. (Everything about it was terrible). 🏷️ 25.05C

    A Skyline Chili restaurant is lit up at dusk, featuring a prominent neon sign and blue awnings, with a flagpole and landscaped greenery in the foreground.
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    Did a short hike through the Bluffs of Beaver Bend. 🏷️ 25.05C

    A small, tranquil waterfall flows over a moss-covered rock ledge surrounded by lush greenery.A shaded cave entrance is surrounded by rocks and greenery, with a mixture of dirt and scattered branches on the ground.A narrow dirt path winds through a lush, green forest with tall trees and dense undergrowth.A lush, green forest scene with rocky cliffs and dense foliage.

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    This is the Triple Whipple Bridge, which features a rare triple-intersection truss design—the only known example of its kind in the United States. 🏷️ 25.05C

    A historic iron truss bridge spans a lush, green landscape under a clear blue sky.
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    Pushing up the Ohio River 🏷️ 25.05C

    A long, red barge floats on a calm river, bordered by lush greenery under a clear, blue sky.
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    Of course, if you find yourself in Frankfort, you have to stop by the grave of Kentucky’s most celebrated folk hero. 🏷️ 25.05C

    Daniel Boone's grave is marked by a historical plaque and bordered by a decorative fence, situated in a cemetery with trees and American flags nearby.A stone monument with the name Daniel Boone engraved on it is surrounded by a black metal fence in a wooded area.

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    I also marked off Kentucky and Indiana on my State Capitol Buildings quest. Of course, both rotundas are currently under construction. 🏷️ 25.05C

    A historic building surrounded by scaffolding stands amidst a lush, green suburban landscape.A neoclassical-style government building is undergoing construction with scaffolding and a crane, surrounded by trees and a statue.

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    Larry Bird, the pride of French Lick, Indiana. 🏷️ 25.05C

    A stone bust of a person wearing a Celtics 33 jersey is displayed in front of a brick building.
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    Toured the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site today, which brings me to within two of completing my “A Site For Each President” quest—just Madison and Nixon left. I’ll do Nixon in Aug, but no immediate plans for Montpelier (they closed early on a previous trip I made to the site 🙄). 🏷️ 25.05C

    A historic red-brick house with a wraparound porch is surrounded by lush greenery and features American and state flags at the front.A vintage bedroom features an ornate wooden bed with a patchwork quilt, surrounded by antique furniture and patterned wallpaper.A vintage wooden roll-top desk with multiple compartments and drawers is paired with an antique swivel chair, surrounded by a lamp and file cabinets.An ornate office setting features a marble desk with a vintage typewriter, a pair of decorative lamps, an encased object, an American flag, and elegant curtains.

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    Had an enjoyable evening at Mirror Twin Brewing in Lexington KY a few nights ago. Also made a stop at Afterburner in Terre Haute IN last night. And Kismetic in Indianapolis IN today. #LostNeededDirections 🏷️ 25.05C

    A glass of beer from Mirror Twin Brewing sits on a wooden counter with a backdrop of beer taps and a menu board.Four craft beer taster glasses sit on a wooden flight board in front of a wall with beer taps and a menu.A glass of beer sits on a table in a bar with taps and neon signs in the background.A glass of beer with a colorful logo sits on a counter in a lively bar setting.

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    I sidetracked a bit to visit Berea College, the first racially integrated and coeducational school in the South.

    Funny enough, this cool memorial scene was funded by the guy who opened the very first KFC franchise, in Salt Lake City of all places. And, yes, I have already been there 😂. 🏷️ 25.05C

    A bronze statue depicts a historical school scene with an adult teaching children, set against a stone wall backdrop.A historical plaque describes the history and significance of Berea Colleges, highlighting its founding, integration efforts, and ongoing initiatives.A bronze statue depicts a woman holding a document while a child points at it, set outdoors.

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    Grabbed a sandwich on my way to Flat Lick Falls so I could use it as a nice lunch spot.

    Unfortunately(?), I enjoyed this quaint little falls enough that I totally forgot about my sandwich and drove an hour to the next town and got an entirely different lunch. 🤦‍♂️ 🏷️ 25.05C

    A waterfall cascades over rocky ledges surrounded by lush green foliage.
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    While I followed along much of the Hatfield-McCoy feud trail, the only spot I spent more than a brief moment pausing to read a plaque was visiting the oddly-placed on the side of a steep hill Hatfield Family cemetery, which features the grave of the Hatfield ringleader, “Devil Anse.” 🏷️ 25.05C

    A historical marker at Hatfield Cemetery describes the site amid lush greenery and a nearby pathway.A statue of a bearded man stands atop a stone pedestal inscribed with names and the word HATFIELD, surrounded by greenery and a metal fence.A statue surrounded by a fence stands amidst a wooded cemetery with multiple gravestones.

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    I also visited the historic African Zion Baptist Church, one of the first churches started by slaves. It was the home church of Booker T Washington. 🏷️ 25.05C

    A small, white wooden church with a steeple is surrounded by trees and a fence.A sign in front of a white building provides historical information about the African Zion Baptist Church established in 1852.

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    I’ll need actual wifi to upload the video, but I made it out to Black Mountain, the high point of Kentucky.

    It was the last one to complete for my “lazy highpointers” quest of (nearly) drivable state summits. One of my oldest quests, originally called High Points of Otherwise Flat States. 🏷️25.05C

    Two green road signs indicate the location and elevation of Black Mountain and Harlan County, surrounded by trees.
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