Cycling the Underground Railroad--Part 2

DAY 14:  BELLEVILLE TO ASHLAND,OH

Pre-Civil War Farm in north central Ohio.

Some days one starts out with nothing specific on the radar in terms of significant landmarks.  Then one is surprised and pleased with serendipitous findings.  Today was one of those days.

"Patchy fog before 10am" was the forecast, which turned out to be correct.

It cleared up quickly and, although very humid all day, I was blessed by blue sky and a few white puffy clouds.

Early on I passed an 1855 farm (top photo) and wondered if they had been a station here on the Underground Railroad.  We will probably never know, as many of the participants kept a very low profile to protect their "passengers" (fleeing slaves) and themselves.  There were hundreds of anonymous and unsung heroes who aided freedom seekers with no desire for recognition, praise or remuneration. They simply were doing the right thing.

Once again, I was admonished to share the road with horses.  I didn't see any, but I had to dodge the evidence of their presence. 

The route was unusually hilly for my passage through Ohio so far (see Elevation profile at the bottom), but I was rewarded with some great scenes.   Much of the ride was through forests that were vaguely reminiscent of the tall greenery in the Northwest.

The beauty was multiplied when I pedaled along streams or rivers. 

After climbing a number of hills that seemed to rise exactly vertical, I turned into the small town of Mifflin, spotting the Mifflin Inn and Chuy's Mexican Cafe.  An older lady with her 95 year old father immediately inquired about my journey.   As they left the restaurant, she paid for my drink.  The waitress comped my chips, and was also very engaged.  One of the two Mexican gentlemen who run the place was from Sonora, and we briefly shared Arizona stories.  This was one of the friendliest and most interested places I've encountered on this trip.

The proprietors of Chuy's in Mifflin, OH.

On Ohio 603, I traveled along the Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway.  (Who knew there was such a thing!?) Established in 2017, this road commemorates Johnny Chapman (his real name). Contrary to legend, he was famous for developing apples to make hard cider. (Don't tell your kids!)  Just west of where I rode was the property where he had his orchards and nursery.  And, yes, he was responsible for the proliferation of apples throughout the region.

In Hayesville, I came across this corner sign for the Vermillion Institute, dated 1843. A little research revealed that this was one of the first higher education institutions in north central Ohio, and admitted both men and women.  It flourished for over a decade and a half, but when the Civil War began, the College went into decline because so many students left school to fight in the War.  Since then, the building has undergone other uses, including at one point becoming the building for the local high school. 

The Vermillion Institute.   Overgrown trees to the left block the view of the stately structure. 

Alas, near the end of today's trek I found myself riding on another Historic byway--the Lincoln Highway. 

Dedicated in 1913, it was one of the first coast-to-coast roads, starting in New York City and ending in San Francisco.   It was primitive at first, and predates route 66 by almost 15 years.

My brother Kent, my daughter Laura and I rode a short stretch of this highway in Joliet, Illinois when we biked Route 66 from St. Louis to Chicago a few years ago.  This is the only place where the two highways converge. 

Back to climbing hills again today!

Today's mileage:  50.1

Total mileage this trip:  579.7

Total on the Underground Railroad: 

    1,713.1 miles