Cycling the Underground Railroad--Part 2

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DAY 18: BLISSFIELD TO BRITTON, MI

David Carpenter Home, Blissfield,  MI with Amanda (Shelley) Boils.

My youngest daughter, Amanda, who so graciously pick me up at the end of my ride yesterday, delivered her husband Kyle and I back to Blissfield for today's excursion.  Though overcast and threatening rain all morning, we stayed dry the entire ride. 
Kyle Boils and I ready to depart from Blissfield. 


Storm moving in near Blissfield.

Blissfield is the first of a series of southeast Michigan towns--along with Adrian, Tecumseh, Saline and Ann Arbor--that were very active on the Underground Railroad.

The house at the top, built in 1851, belonged to David Carpenter, a prominent and successful businessman who moved from from upstate New York in 1838.  There is little doubt that he was active in aiding fugitive slaves, and may well have hidden them in this very house.


The route from Adrian to Tecumseh followed the 8 mile Kiwanis Trail, a paved rail-trail between the two towns.  Crossing a number of wooden bridges and trestles along this tree-lined way made for pleasant pedaling.
Trestle Park on the Kiwanis Trail.


Kyle guided me off the trail to the Raisin Valley Friends Church.  On this site originally stood the Adrian Monthly Meeting House, an active "stop" for freedom seekers.  Quakers often took a leading role in the Underground. 

On our way through Tecumseh we made the obligatory pilgrimage through Tim Horton's donut shop.  The dining room was closed, so we did what any self-respecting cyclists would do... we used the drive-thru.

Once in Britton, back at the Boils residence. Micah (10) and Isaiah (8) attacked Grandpa Mark, Adina (5) and Ephraim (3) for a Nerf gun battle.   The results are still being disputed.   This crew then went to see "The Jungle Cruise" at the theatre.  They were all worn out by the end of the day.


Today's mileage: 27.5
Total mileage this trip: 798.7
Total on the Underground Railroad:
     1,914.0 miles

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