SW Ohio | D. Brent Miller

September 25, 2024September 25, 2024

Wind Therapy

When the temperatures are cool and the breeze soft, sitting on the patio with a beverage—hot or cold—can be a relaxing time. But when the sun is high and temperature hot, there is only one way to get some wind therapy. It’s not sitting on the patio.

That’s when it is time to roll out a motorcycle. People ask, “Don’t you get hot?” No. A motorcycle is a vehicle where you can create your own breeze. Your own wind. Just a twist of the wrist and a few clicks on the shift lever, and away you go, reaching city speeds or out on the highway. The wind is relative to the speed of the motorcycle.

It has a cooling effect, and a calming one too.

See you on the highway.

Brent

September 19, 2024September 19, 2024

Praying for Rain

For some time, our weather people have been telling us we are in a drought. An extreme drought. It is hard to believe that our home in SW Ohio, along the Ohio River Valley, is experiencing drought.

But, my dry yard and browning grass, and the low Little Miami River nearby do not lie. It is dry. We need rain.

The Little Miami River access at the South Lebanon ramp is the lowest I have ever seen. Typically, one would see canoes and kayaks gliding down the river. Not today.

Pray for rain.

See you on the highway.

Brent

August 25, 2023

The Morrow Depot

Morrow, Ohio, is this quaint small town with some historical character. It was laid out in 1845 and named after Ohio’s ninth governor, Jeremiah Morrow. The town was created when the Little Miami Railroad laid enough track alongside the Little Miami River to reach this spot.

Today, US 22/Ohio SR 3 passes through the town and intersects with Ohio SR 123. What was originally the rail line is now the Little Miami Recreation Trail, which starts near Cincinnati and ends in Springfield–74 miles of paved Rails to Trails.

I have always found this piece of Morrow fascinating. Although the depot is in very good shape, it does not appear to be used on a regular basis. It has aged well since being built about 1852. Originally, there were two rail lines meeting at this spot. The Little Miami Railroad on one side, and the Pennsylvania Line on the other, giving the building its odd shape. Careful observation reveals the Pennsylvania Line route including abutments for brides that no longer exist–something easily discovered while motorcycling near and around Morrow.

Speaking of motorcycling, the depot is a great place for a photo op. And across the street is Miranda’s Ice Cream Shop. That’s worth a stop too.

See you on the highway.

Brent

April 28, 2023

Ride Before the Storms

Despite the lovely weather, the forecast for the weekend and beyond was rain, rain and more rain. If I was going to get in a ride, it was Thursday. So, I rolled the Moto Guzzi V7 out of the garage, threw a leg over, fired it up and headed out of the neighborhood.

Wandering the backroads, I headed towards Loveland, OH, a lovely small town with lots going on.

Looking for a photo-op, I decided to stop at the Loveland Veterans’ Memorial, near the Little Miami River.

Having paid my respects, I turned towards home on familiar roads. The Guzzi hummed along like a faithful steed.

See you on the highway.

Brent

April 19, 2023

The Confluence of Rivers

With every river that runs through it, there is a river that runs to it—a merging of waters, a confluence of streams. Locally, there is a stream called Todd Fork that meets the Little Miami River in SW Ohio. Morrow, Ohio, to be exact.

On previous occasions, I have seen kids recreating at this spot along the shoreline. Kayaks and canoes are launched here also. During my brief stop, several vehicles slowed or stopped to check the quality and level of the rivers, as I did.

What is it about water—rivers or lakes—that brings us to the water’s edge? Is there something spiritual or soul refreshing? Perhaps there is something intuitive in the hymn, “Shall we gather at the river?” I think so.

See you on the highway … or next to the river.

Brent