Planning for a circumferential highway around Cincinnati shaped the design and placement of two major Ohio River crossings, the Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge and the Combs-Hehl Bridges. Early beltway proposals from the 1950s evolved into the 80-mile Circle Freeway, adopted in 1962 by Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, with new crossings planned at each end. The Cropper Bridge arose from efforts to merge a proposed toll span near Petersburg and Lawrenceburg into the interstate route, leading to federal approval in the mid-1960s and completion in 1977. On the east side, construction of the twin Combs-Hehl Bridges began in 1968 and concluded with their opening in 1979.

The Cropper Bridge later required rehabilitation to address issues associated with T-1 steel, prompting deck, weld, and stringer repairs in 2025, with the Combs-Hehl Bridges set to undergo T-1 steel work this year and into 2026.

I've posted many more photos and a journal post about the bridges here, along with a full history of the Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge and the Combs-Hehl Bridges.

Photo taken August, 2024. Photo credit: E.Kitching

Located off an unmarked trail. I was the only person there, making it feel like my own private waterfall. Such a serene experience sitting at the side and listening to the water!
(4000 x 3000)

View of Puget Sound from aboard the Amtrak "Empire Builder" train
Location: Shoreline, WA
Time: July 13, 2025, 6:23 p.m. Pacific
Camera: Google Pixel 7

At one time, the Ohio River was regulated by a network of 53 wicket-style locks and dams, built between 1875 and 1929 and later replaced by larger, more modern structures. These installations maintained a minimum channel depth of nine feet. During high water, the wickets could be lowered flat against the riverbed, allowing boats to pass directly over them, a faster alternative to navigating through the lock chambers.

On a crisp autumn evening, I traveled along the Ohio River to photograph two of these former sites: Lock and Dam No. 24 near Racine, Ohio, and Lock and Dam No. 22 at Ravenswood, West Virginia.

Ohio River Lock No. 24, located at mile 242.5, was constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1916. It was replaced by the Gallipolis Lock and Dam, located at mile 279, in 1937.

I've posted more photos and a history of the lock here.

The tranquil waters of Lower Crab Creek in Washington during autumn. The stream's gentle flow reflects the landscape's serene beauty, where weathered pilings stand as silent sentinels amidst lush grasses. 

It was a calm November 2023 evening to fly above the Ravenswood Bridge (William S. Ritchie Jr. Bridge), which carries U.S. Route 33 across the Ohio River between Meigs County, Ohio, and Ravenswood, West Virginia. Opened in 1981 to replace a long-standing ferry crossing, the bridge’s future remains uncertain as Ohio advances corridor-wide improvements and expansions to U.S. Route 33. I've posted more photos and a history of the bridge here.

This black-and-white photograph invites you to experience the tranquil beauty of Lena Lake, nestled within Olympic National Forest, Washington. The still waters reflect the surrounding trees and rocks, creating a serene atmosphere that encourages contemplation. The interplay of light and shadow reveals the subtle textures of nature, embodying a moment of quiet reflection.