Cycling the Underground Railroad--Part 2

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 DAY 17: PERRYSBURG, OH TO BLISSFIELD, MI

Today I crossed over into the 8th state on this journey up the Underground Railroad, leaving Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio in the rearview mirror.  This 7 week journey could have take freedom seekers from the South more than a year.

Another taste of urban riding awaited in Toledo, although traffic was light on this Monday morning.  The Maumee River runs through the city, finding its way to Lake Erie, with Free Canada on the other side. 
The Maumee River looking out to Lake Erie from the Main Street bridge.

Just across the river in downtown is The Blade building.   The Toledo Blade ("Toledo" was dropped from the name in 1960) is a newspaper that has been published daily since 1835.  One of its writers,  David Locke (who went by the pen name Petroleum V. Nasby) scribed witty satirical columns about slavery and the Civil War, and was a favorite read by Abraham Lincoln.
The Blade building, Toledo, Ohio.

A trail from the University of Toledo led me out of town and out of the state.
University Parks Trail

Michigan farm roads with no automobiles paved the way to Blissfield, today's destination.  Except...

Last night I received a call from the owner of the bed and breakfast I was to stay at tonight to inform me that her and her husband had tested positive for COVID, and had to shut down the inn.  Fortunately, my daughter Amanda and her family (who I was planning to stay with tomorrow night) live not far from Blissfield, and gladly came to pick me up and host me for an extra day.  (More time with family and grandkids!) 

Amanda will deliver me and her husband Kyle, who will be riding with me, back to Blissfield tomorrow morning so we can continue the journey. 


Today's mileage: 40.0
Total mileage this trip:  771.2
Total on the Underground Railroad:
     1886.5 miles

Comments

  1. Stephane MSeptember 21, 2021 at 11:16 AM

    What luck to have your family nearby and I'm thankful that the inn keeper let you know about the Covid! That was very responsible of them! Enjoy your time with family and I still am amazed that you are doing this trip. IT"S AMAZING!!

    ReplyDelete

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