Cycling the Underground Railroad

  DAY 7:  CINCINNATI, OH (REST DAY) The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is an impressive complex on the banks of the Ohio River.  Amanda's (my daughter) and her children (my grandkids) have been studying the history of the Underground Railroad and following me on these rides.  They drove down from Michigan so we could go to this museum together. But first, as is our tradition, we had to feast on donuts.  Dunkin's was located in a nearby complex, so we headed over for our morning meal.  As soon as they saw escalators... let's just say we made a few trips. Of course, now that we're hooked, we had to get to our destinations by scooter! Notice little Adina hitching a ride on the front of my scooter.  The Center was not a disappointment! It was very well organized, featured key players, both white and black, in this "first Civil Rights Movement." It traced important legal/court decisions,  and did an excellent job of realistically portrayi...

Day 6: Milford to Cincinnati, OH Notice the last line of the sign. After a late breakfast at the May Cafe in Milford, I enjoyed almost 4 miles on the Little Miami (River) Scenic Trail.  I'll be revisiting this great path when I ride north through Ohio. Little  Miami Scenic Trail near Milford It was a short ride into Cincinnati.  I was excited to meet my daughter and her four children, who were driving down from Michigan to visit the National Underground Railroad Museum with me. While they were on the road, I was able to tour the home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, who lived in this house for 18 years, learned more about slavery, and began writing Uncle Tom's Cabin,  the book which anecdotally President Lincoln credited for bringing about Civil War. Candy Briggs gave me an outstanding tour and narrative of Stowe's home and life. This home, built by Lane Seminary  students for their President, Harriet's father, is actively being restored to its original 1830s form. Dau...

  DAY 5:  Aberdeen to Milford, OH The Ohio River from old Front Street. Ripley, Ohio As I rode along the Ohio River this morning, I heard thunder in the distance.  In a while the streak of good weather I have been enjoying would be snapped by an hour or so of rain.  But I really didn't mind.  It added to the ambiance.  I soon arrived in the town of Ripley.  Founded in 1812, this borderland outpost found itself in the crosshairs between proslavery and abolitionists activists and was the first "station" of the Underground Railroad in this free state. But just because Ohio was "free" didn't mean ot was safe for "runaway slaves." Bounty hunters from Kentucky would roam the streets and search the woods for fugitives for which they could collect bounties. John Parker, a black free man, ironsmith, inventor and patent holder by day risked his life at nights by crossing the Ohio to bring others to freedom.  His house on the banks of the Ohio stands next to...

  DAY 4: Falmouth, KY to Aberdeen, OH This afternoon I entered the third state on this trip--Indiana, Kentucky, and now Ohio.  I'll be pedaling the Buckeye State its entire length, south to north, so I'll be here for about 10 days. But getting here today was not a simple task.  The last two days I've ben chased by TWELVE dogs!  I haven't had to pull the trigger with the dog spray yet, but one mutt almost got a stream of pepper spray in the snout.  He made the right decision not to take a chunk out of my calf. Today was another "ridge and hollow" day, but with a lot more and steeper hills.  Strava  (the cycling app) said I climbed almost 3,800 feet today (and it felt like it!). Perhaps the scariest part of the day was crossing the bridge over the Ohio (almost a mile wide) from Maysville. KY to Aberdeen,  OH. Bridge across the Ohio River from Maysville, Kentucky to Aberdeen,  Ohio.  It's a narrow two lane affair with no shoulder or bike la...

  DAY 3:  SPARTA TO FALMOUTH, KY From Dry Ridge Last night I stayed in the Ramada Inn next to the Kentucky Speedway.   There were no events occurring, so the daytime was pretty peaceful.   But nighttime was a totally different story.  Ramada Inns are usually fine.  They are clean, but pretty much no frills.  I have NEVER slept in a building that had more cracking, creaking, thudding and banging going on as this one!  Not caused by the guests,  but by the structure itself.  At times I could have sworn that someone had actually gotten into my room and was banging stuff around.  If I believed that ghosts could "haunt" buildings (dead race car drivers?), I'd say the motel was definitely haunted.  But the place is just old, and has been traumatized by all the noise at the speedway. Skies were totally clear and the air was cool-ish this morning, making the cycling very pleasant.  Once again I found myself following the...

Reflections on Yesterday (New Albany to Madison) After sufficient rest, I'm now able to write about the sights of yesterday. Not far from my motel I spied this old phone booth sheltering an ATM machine.  Pretty clever! Riding through New Albany was an "old" experience in that many of the pre-Civil War structures are still standing.  The first was the "Town Clock Church" (officially the former Second Presbyterian Church, which was sold to (and still is) the Second Baptist Church after the war.  Here is an old photo of New Albany.  At the end of the street the spire of the church is visible. Beginning in 1837, the preachers of Second Presbyterian were very vocal in their opposition to slavery.   Good evidence exists that the church hid and aided fugitive slaves on their way to freedom.  The spire of the church is very visible from the Kentucky side (I witnessed this Friday coming from the airport) and served as a beacon to those seeking release from thei...