DAY 28: LEWISPORT TO BRANDENBURG, KY
Today was the 2nd longest ride of this part of the Underground Railroad route. But it was also one of the most special. I was joined by Mark and Cheryl Dobbs of Indianapolis.
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| Mark and Cheryl Dobbs. Mark would be my riding companion for the day! |
I have known Mark for over 50 years. His dad, the late Dr. Howard Dobbs, was the Minister at the church I grew up in. He was a very important mentor and friend even into my adult life. I say without hesitation that he was one of the most significant influences in my life. His wife, Carolyn, was my long suffering piano teacher (of which I was a horrible student).
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| Mark celebrating his 60th birthday riding over 60 miles on Highway 60. |
Today was Mark's 60th birthday. There is a tradition among "mature" cyclists to ride your age in miles on your birthday. Here he is (above) on his 60th birthday riding 60 miles on U.S. Highway 60. He actually rode 69 miles, and nailed it. Mark has also been instrumental in helping me raise funds for the Equal Justice Initiative.
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| And there they go! (Photo courtesy of Cheryl Dobbs.) |
It had stormed during the night, and although it started out cloudy, nothing was falling from the sky. (Photo courtesy of Cheryl Dobbs. She noted the trucks in the background on Highway 60. We weren't really on this road for very long during our ride.)
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| Home of Squire Pate, one of Abraham Lincoln's early mentors. |
Not far out of Lewisport we came upon the 19th Century home of Squire Pate. Notice the chinked logs in the front, part of the original log cabin. This place is significant because here Abraham Lincoln made his first appearance as a lawyer, defending himself! He was charged with operating a ferry on the Ohio River without the proper license. He was acquitted and Pate, the judge in the case, was so impressed by Lincoln's defense he encouraged and mentored Lincoln in the study of law. The rest, they say, is history.
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| Another great view of the Ohio and one of the locks on the river. |
Again today we were following the Mighty Ohio, enjoying grand views of the river and surrounding countryside.
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| The restored John Holt home. Holt served under Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln, and tried the assassins who murdered Lincoln. |
Another historical discovery we made was the ongoing restoration of the home of John Holt. Holt served in several cabinet positions under President Buchanan, then served as Lincoln's Judge Advocate General of the Union Army, and served in this capacity until 1875. He was responsible for trying the eight conspirators that assassinated Lincoln.
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| The Holt home. |
Most of the country roads we cycled today were in good shape, although there were a few very rough spots. We encountered quite a few more hills than I had in the previous few days, but only one monster hill. Below Mark is trying to figure out, since the sign is upside down, if we're actually going east... or is it west?
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| Are we going east or west, on 144 or 441? |
Just before we got to Paynesville (Painsville?) about 10 miles from our destination, we passed this road...
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| The sign says it all. |
Nope, I'm not making this up. Is the universe sending us a message?
Thank you, Mark and Cheryl, for making a long cycling day one of my most enjoyable!
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| Two Marks, who rode almost 69 miles together! |
Today's Mileage: 68.9
Total Distance to date; 1,050.7 miles
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