Cycling the Underground Railroad

Tim Traub and I at the Xenia Station on the Little Miami River Scenic Trail.  DAY 9: WAYNESVILLE TO SPRINGFIELD, OH I had a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad.  Tim Traub (Col., USAF, ret) was introduced to me by Scott Frickenstein (also Col. USAF, ret).  Tim rode from his home in Xenia to be my guide ("conductor " in Underground Railroad terms) today.  And a great one he was! Monument in the middle of Wilberforce University.  Founded in 1856 and named after William Wilberforce, who led the fight to abolish slavery in the British Empire, Wilberforce University was the first private University established to afford blacks access to higher education.  The community here was very active in the Underground Railroad.  This school is still a venerable institution.  One of the buildings on campus is the King Center, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.  The above quote can be found there.  It is a sentiment I hope and pray is still part of ...

DAY 8: CINCINNATI TO WAYNESVILLE, OH The rail-trail I was riding today was a line of the Pennsylvania Railroad until 1974. It was a bit sad as I rode away.from the family I had spent almost two very wonderful days with, but I'll see them again in 10 days as I ride up to Michigan. Getting ready to leave the gaze of my "admiring" granddaughter. Adina! "Moving me down the highway..." After 13 miles of climbing a few hills to exit the city toward the east, I once again intersected the Little Miami Scenic Trail.  This multi-use, paved,  almost level path roughly follows the winding Little Miami River for over 50 miles. The Little Miami River wouldn't be called " "little" in Arizona! Being that it was Saturday morning, initially the trail was filled with walkers, runners and bikets.  I rode up next to a cyclist who made me an offer.  "If you're going to Loveland (about 10 miles up the road), I'll buy you a drink to learn about your jour...

  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...