Early Mornings on the Ohio

By Hannah Cease

Less than 5 miles from campus, something none of us would be here without, is the Ohio River. The Ohio, our source of water to all of us that live in Louisville, is a busy river, usually filled with barges and pollution. At 6am however it feels like a different world. This year I walked on the rowing team at UofL and often get to be on the water in the mornings. I am a coxswain on the team, someone who directs the boat and the rowers. Having the opportunity to be on still, calm water and watch the sun rise, has made me appreciate this river and recognize it as something I never had before, beautiful. It is calming and comforting. It is full of life in ways I had never seen before. Most days I see fish jumping, graceful cranes, and even a funny beaver. Somedays I even catch a glimpse of a bald eagle. I have lived next to this river my whole life but never took the time to stop and really look at it. I would like to share some of my favorite pictures taken during my early morning practices where we can row up to 20k on the water.

Hannah Cease is a McConnell Scholar in the class of 2026. She is studying biology on an ecology track and political science at the University of Louisville.