Bruce, Char, and Bernice: July 21 and 22 Update

July 21 and 22, 2011 Update

July 21, 2011 In Ohio and out of Kentucky

We are now into our “new” routine of getting up at 5:30 am-packing up, eating a light breakfast and getting on the road at 6:30 am. This is about 20 minutes before the big, bright reddish-orange ball of sun comes over the horizon. This morning there are not any clouds to filter the sun so make sure we get on the road. We are going to take a “off route” route today due to the heat expectations. We have shortened the route by 20 miles with the GPS guiding us.

One thing that is pretty ingrained culturally in Kentucky is their lawn. They have acres of lawn---green rolling yards of lawn. No one has a lawnmower-no you have a riding tracker. The lawns stretch all the way to the edge of the road.

Ridges (not on potato chips) are the terrain issue for us. You can be at 500 feet riding along and you “hit” a hill that is 400+ feet high. It is not a gentle climb like a mountain pass up to the top, but an abrupt straight up climb. We have 2-3 of these each day. We bike usually a third or half way up, and then walk it. In this weather these are killers. We are trying to make sure we have them in the am. Once you are “up” on the ridge then you bike along the ridge. The views are spectacular. You see rows and rows of ridge and hills.

We arrived in Augusta, Kentucky which is right on the Ohio River and has a ferry. It is renowned for 2 reasons:

· There are many homes that were haven for freedom seekers. Of the homes only 2 of them are listed as members of the Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. Unfortunately neither site was open to the public. (go figure)

· The other distinction is the Clooney Family. While waiting for the Ferry a local cyclist (gray haired with beard, shirtless, jean shorts and flip flops) stopped to chat. He told us about the Rosemary Clooney house (some of you may have to ask your grandparents who she was) that had all her memorabilia plus her gowns from the movie “White Christmas.” ALSO George Clooney’s (Yes the actor) parents live in town. Matter of fact our local person does odd jobs for the family. George visits his parents often and walks around and no one bothers him.

Along our ridge ride today we saw off in the distance on the Ohio River another Nuclear Steam Plant. I did not realize there were so many along the river.

We are in Ripley, Ohio for the night. Our room is only $45 per night not as bad as Cave in Rock, IL. Ripley is the home of two famous conductors: John P. Parke (former slave who purchased his freedom) and Rev. John Rankin (a Presbyterian minister) Parker would often slip back into slave territory to help freedom seekers cross the Ohio. Rankin provided shelter to over 2000 freedom seekers. His house could be identified at night from the river by the candle glowing in the window. We did not visit the Rankin house because it was up a HUGE hill.

We have decided to take a rest day in Milford, Ohio. It is 16 miles out of Cincinnati. We deserve a rest.

Stats for July 21, 2011

Arrival time is 1:00 pm

56 miles, 11.1 mph, 5hours 3 minutes ride time, 2300 feet of elevation gain

Critter Count

6+ dogs

1 blue heron

July 22, 2011 Milford, Ohio (16 miles on the outskirts of Cincinnati)

Our wonderful $45 room did not offer breakfast, so we decided to have it in the next town – Georgetown. Out the door by 6:20 am with a stop at the “quick market” for Gatorade. We have two hills to conquer this morning and want to get them out of the way before it heats up too much. (It is 77 degrees)

We arrived in Georgetown to find a stunning brick Presbyterian Church. Of course we continue to see Baptist churches every town we are in so far. We ate at a local restaurant and had real buttermilk pancakes!

The terrain is changing we are seeing pine trees amongst the soy and corn fields. We are hoping for less ridges and more rolling hills.

Today we had a small wisp of a cloud cover and it made it tolerable to bike. I can tell the humidity is less as salt is beginning to form on my arm and legs at the end of the day.

We were thrilled to today to actually see on a telephone pole a sign indicating the “Underground Railroad” route. It is the freedom seeker carrying a lantern just like the one we have on our cards. This was the first acknowledgement we have seen in 1100 miles.

We stopped in Williamsburg for our “mixed” drink of Sprite and Fanta-lots of ice. I went to pay for it…the clerk said “I am paying for this one.” I felt such joy by her generosity. Of course I was “glowing” with beads of sweat running down my nose and my arms. I love people.

ATTENTION BIRDERS Could someone find out what kind of bird is about medium sized and has a bright orange breast and dark feathers on top? I have not been able to find out what it is.

All through our travels we have smelled and seen Mimosa Trees. They are so beautiful.

Arrival time is 1:00 pm (The last 5 miles were horrid. I hate riding in big cities)

54 miles, 10.8 mph, 4 hours and 58 minutes ride time, 2300 feet of elevation gain.

Tomorrow is a rest day. We need it!!!! We are going to go into Cincinnati.

Critter Count