Cycling the Underground Railroad--Part 1

DAY 24: CAVE-IN-ROCK, IL TO MORGANFIELD, KY

Cave-in-Rock is a small town, only about 300 people.  But it has character!

Cave-in-Rock is a place of interesting geology and history.

The natural cavern in the limestone cliffs above the Ohio River was first noted by a French explorer in the 1700s.  During the 1800s it became a hideout for river pirates, counterfeiters, and a couple of serial killer brothers, among other famous criminals.  I tried to get up to the cave this morning, but the floodwaters from the recent storms made it impossible to get there.  Here is a view from the ferry. 

Cave-in-Rock from the ferry.

I found it fitting that today, on Easter Morning, I was attempting to get a look inside a cave, probably similar to the one Jesus was buried in and rose from.  Made this Resurrection Sunday a bit special (not that it's not always  special!).

The Opry House provided entertainment for this small riverfront town.

The town is not hopping, but it has some interesting features.  The Opry House has been a mainstay of community entertainment since 1929, including operating as a movie theater.   It seats about 200 people.  Bought by the people that own the ferry about a decade ago, there were plans to make it into a community theater.  By the looks of things, I'm not sure how that all worked out.

Painted bicycles and other "art" found in Cave-in-Rock.

On almost every corner and on each of the two streets that make up the "downtown" (rather, the whole town), brightly colored painted old bicycles have been placed.   I wasn't able to ascertain if there was any special significance to them, but I thought they were cool.

Ferry back to Kentucky docking.  It's free, as part of the highway system.

Back across the river.  Why would I do that? Besides being the path to my day's destination, that's what the operatives, both white and black, of the Underground Railroad would do.  Often the would hide a boat somewhere on the south shore, then signal to the freedom seekers, usually at night, when it was safe to cross without being apprehended.   It was a dangerous undertaking,  as there were strict laws against aiding runaway slaves.  Some Underground Railroad conductors were recaptured (if they were Black) or imprisoned (if they were White) in their attempts to bring others to Freedom. 

Just a fun way to experience the river!

Incidentally,  we had to wait for a few minutes this morning for a barge that was pushing a very long load upriver. 

I've become much more aware the past few days about how much I take my freedoms for granted--freedom to stop and rest on my journey without having to worry about any consequences; the freedom to choose my destination, and when to start and when to stop; the freedom to eat and resupply as needed; the freedom to ask strangers for help or accept help that is offered without wondering if they are friend or foe; the freedom to do laundry and have clean, dry and adequate clothing. Fugitives from slavery had none of these freedoms as they traveled. 

Spring is springing in the past few days as the weather has warmed a bit.

As the weather has warmed the last couple of days, there are more and more signs of Spring.  Today I pedaled by fields of yellow, white and purple flowers.  It really feels like perhaps the season change is finally happening!

I saw these signs, but didn't see any Amish/Mennonite buggies.

I've seen a few of these signs along the way, indicating the presence of Mennonite or Amish communities.  The Quakers and Mennonites, along with Presbyterians and Methodists, were among the driving forces of the abolitionists and Underground Railroad.  Quakers were so persecuted for ther compassionate treatment of freed and enslaved Blacks that they were sometimes driven from the communities of which they were a part.

 

Abraham Lincoln gave his only political speech in his birth state on these steps in Morganville, Kentucky.

On reaching today's destination--Morganfield, Kentucky--I learned that Abraham Lincoln, a Kentucky native, made only one speech ever in his birth state, and it was here in Morganfield.  In 1840, he was serving as an elector for William Henry Harrison.  There was a parade and the whole bit.  Morganfield is very proud of this fact.

Today's Mileage:  35.9 miles

Total Distance to date:  868.9