Leavenworth & Alton, Indiana (A Travelers Guide)

[@wincingatlight]

My mother was born and grew up in Cape Sandy. My dad was from Alton. They married at the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church down Alton road in 1966, I believe. We made the drive back every year when I was growing up for Thanksgiving or Christmas to visit family. Thanks so much for making this video and reminding me of some of those old sights and sounds. Makes me nostalgic for a place I've never lived, but have plenty of family memories.

[@AdventureswithRoger]

My pleasure, Darren! It’s a truly beautiful area that’s relatively unknown to most people. My folks grew up in Lawrence County, though I never lived there. Still, just like you, I’ve always had a sense of nostalgia about the place I only visited on weekends. I ended up making a short film called, “Going Home”, describing how though I never lived there, the people I loved did, and that’s why it will always be home. In my family line, I’m related to the Hawkins’ that live in and around Bedford. Maybe we’re even related way down the line! 🙂

[@johnmcook1]

@@AdventureswithRoger You're close 😉

[@brianarbenz1329]

Very nicely done, Roger. I grew up going out to the Overlook Restaurant with my family. The view is fantastic -- no video can do it justice. It's magic to look across at farms in Kentucky and to follow those barges along that slow horseshoe curve. In later decades, I worked as a journalist covering news in that area and was amazed by my first visit to Stephenson's General Store in the 1980s. Jack Stephenson, the third generation owner, was so charming and colorful, he almost had to be a portrayal of an old time store owner -- but he was the real thing, his genuine self. And his store, which has been reopened by area residents after he and his family closed it in 2008, was and remains more like a museum than just a store. It's unique. A must visit.

[@AdventureswithRoger]

I really need to drop by Stephenson’s again. There’s also a rock shop next door! The overlook is simply one of my very favorite places. 100%, no picture or video does it justice. I once dropped by for a view, and a Bentley pulled up next to me. The older folks in the car never got out, but I could tell they’d came just to get a glimpse of this wonder. Would recommend to anyone!

[@riverbottomband]

Thanks...the video is amazing but to be there and see all this in person is breathless. I am in awe of the beauty and the history of southern Indiana which seems to be more abundant than just across the river in KY which is where I'm from in Davies County. Thanks.

[@AdventureswithRoger]

I’ve been putting it off for about 5 years, but am wanting to do a “Best of Southern Indiana” video. There is so much beauty and novel places, that are never even mentioned in official state literature and website, because the people running the tourism department hardly leave Indianapolis.

[@riverbottomband]

@@AdventureswithRoger I actually discovered southern Indiana by accident long ago. I just like riding around, it's one of my hobbies and I've said in an earlier comment, I find myself over and over in southern Indiana although I'm from KY. It certainly is beautiful and every curve and every hill has something interesting around and over it.

[@stevenikitas8170]

Very nice, I'd love to visit from Massachusetts

[@AdventureswithRoger]

Very pretty area, and even better when the leaves change in the fall!

[@jamesbreeden9016]

Hey Roger, I enjoyed your video and review. I live on Indian Ridge Rd. I will say, it is beautiful here where I live. Blessings

[@AdventureswithRoger]

Well over 25 years ago, I lived in Greenwood, Indiana. I was looking at travel guides and found “The Overlook”, thought I’d add it to my trip to Marengo Cave. I was blown away by the view, and so was the friend that came with me. I ended up bringing girlfriends here, thereafter! Now, I live northwest of New Albany, and can’t count the number of times I’ve driven to both Leavenworth, and Cape Sandy, just to change my perspective! We have it pretty great down here! 🙂

[@-Ricky_Spanish-]

My family lived in Alton for generations up until my great uncles Charles and Jim died in the mid 1990's. They lived in a huge house at the end of Beech St., which has sadly fallen into disrepair after my family sold it off in the late 90's, which was a shame but nobody wanted to take the place over. Many members of the paternal (Wood/Fullenwider) side of my family are buried in the two cemeteries off of Buzzard's Roost.

[@AdventureswithRoger]

Really great area, enjoyed it immensely!

[@ohioalphornmusicalsawman2474]

Visited here in September 2020. Beautiful spot indeed, Buzzard's Roost is also a beautiful view of the river

[@AdventureswithRoger]

Definitely! I'm thinking about doing a segment about all the great views along the Ohio River. I already have them, but haven't put them together.

[@charlietanner6211]

i have been o overlook rest many times view and food are great we would start out at derby and go all the way in indiana to lousville then cross over to ky come back through tell city to derby great day trip

[@AdventureswithRoger]

I go to the overlook whenever I need to clear my mind. Great view!

[@raymondtwodog304]

Roger: Thanks for this video tour of my favorite place in all the world. I've lived in Europe as a soldier, spent summers in Northern Michigan and lived on a boat in the South Florida after the army in the 1970s. That's just for context. My family were some of the first Europeans in this area. My great grandfather's Grandfather was the third man to register a deed in Washington county in 1811. I spent my childhood in the gas fields of East Central Indiana and have been working to get to Crawford county for over 60 years. Did you notice the old Crawford county courthouse ruins at Freedonia? I don't remember the story well enough to write it now, need to get into my county history documents. In essence it was built on speculation by a former Revolutionary War officer during the time Leavenworth and English were vying for the county seat.

[@AdventureswithRoger]

Hi Raymond! And thank you for your service! I had once seen a picture of the Crawford County courthouse rubble, but had forgotten all about it until you mentioned it. I’ll bet I’ve driven all around it, several times! I’ve recently did a segment about the Potts Creek Rock Shelter, and I did Hemlock Cliffs some time ago. Hoping to do Messmore Cliffs and the Arrowhead Arch this year. Just a few weeks ago I did a segment on the oil wells and coal mines of southwest Indiana. I was really impressed with how quiet it was out there. People that live there didn’t understand what I meant, but I’ve always lived near major roads and even a highway: it was super quiet to me!

[@raymondtwodog304]

@@AdventureswithRoger Thanks for your kind words.

[@AdventureswithRoger]

I went to the Fredonia courthouse ruins a week ago and took some video, thank-you for the suggestion! I’m now working on getting a picture of when it was in one piece! 🙂

[@richardbritton5280]

Nice Roger 🏆 🏆

[@jacilivengood9653]

I remember we stopped to take a look at the river from Overlook Restaurant. They were closed, but we had apples. I was about 3 or 4. I wasn't watching my food. A bee decided it would help me eat my apple. Sadly it was just as I was taking a bite. My top lip swelled so big.

[@AdventureswithRoger]

Oww! That would be hard to forget! 😧

[@jacilivengood9653]

Thank you for all these videos. They are bringing back a lot of good childhood memories. We did a lot of the cave tours you have filmed. Love the history you put in each video. I'm learning new things in that area from every video.

[@AdventureswithRoger]

@@jacilivengood9653 I enjoy the adventure and storytelling, as much as hearing how people relate to the stories! My pleasure and honor! 🙂