July 19, 2011 Madison, Indiana Last night in Indiana
Last night we had a great Italian dinner. I had a crisp Caesar Salad with sweet romaine lettuce. After all the fried fast food of the Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee etc. I was in heaven.
We left Madison, Indiana at 6:30 am-our new time. We decided to get up at 5:30 am and eat breakfast before we leave. This process is not our usual way but we think that using part of the morning time for breakfast will give us more ride time.
On our way out of town (it was a bit dicey because of all the traffic-we almost got on the interstate!) we went by all these beautiful mansions (Culbertson Mansion we took a picture) that the industrialist built in the early 1800’s. We also went by the Second Baptist Church that was a place for freedom seekers. We biked out of Madison along the Ohio River and looked across at Louisville!
We “went through” small town-two vacant buildings called New Market. One of the vacant buildings was a Presbyterian Church. It was closed many years ago due to lack of attendance.
There is a small cloud cover today and we are so thankful. We are on country roads that go up and down. We walked one hill today because it came as a surprise as we came down a hill and hit a curve. Not nice. We are pedaling through tobacco, corn and soy field. It still seems odd to come up to a housing development in the midst of a corn field.
Outside of Madison we came upon a Presbyterian Church on a road called Presbyterian.
We showered quickly and called a taxi to take us downtown. We walked along the Ohio River walk way. We learned that this was a hot spot for freedom seekers to cross as this is the narrowest part of the Ohio. At times you could actual walk across the river and freedom seekers did. We were able to tour the Sullivan Hose one of the early settlers. We also walked around the Georgetown Historic Neighborhood. We learned that the resistance movement known as the Underground Railroad encompassed more than moving fugitive slaves. Those living along the northern border of the Ohio River worked to create an environment to not only camouflage fugitive slaves but to push the boundaries of the laws. Rarely were freedom seekers were conducted underground and never on an underground railroad. The Ohio River was a deceptive dividing line. It transported slaves to the south and was also the highway to freedom.
Bruce and I celebrated our 1000 mile marker. Yes we have traveled 1000 miles on the trail….we went to the oldest Hotel and Tavern for a celebratory dinner. We threw away another toothpaste tube!!
We are planning on shortening the next 3 days due to the heat situation. Our 80 mile day to Ripley Ohio will instead be a 60 mile day.
Stats for July 19th
Arrival time 1:50 pm
62 miles, 11 mph, 5 hours 38 minutes ride time, 3000 feet elevation gain.
2 Presbyterian Churches
Critter Count
6 dogs
July 20th Dry Gulch, Kentucky Final and Last night in Kentucky
Up and out the door by 6:30 am. It is not as overcast as it has been. We ride over the Ohio River for about the 3rd or 4th time. Bridges are “hairy” to go over. This one was narrow and no shoulder. I had my trusty “green flashing band” waving at the trucks and cars.
ATTENTION QUILTERS I have been watching the barns in Kentucky and Indiana and they have these gorgeous “barn quilt” patches on the side of the barns. They are stunning. I have really enjoyed their gorgeous colors and patterns.
One of the fragrances that we smell each morning is Jasmine. There is wild Jasmine growing along the side of the roads. It makes the ride so much more pleasant.
We had a road closure today. The railroad tracks were being repaired. We talked with the local folks and they said go ahead anyway and walk your bikes. So we got there –took off the Bob, panniers and carried them over the torn up tracks. Then we walked Bernice over. On the road again….
As we came into Dry Ridge I saw my first latte stand since I left home. Made so thirsty….the nearest Starbucks is 10 miles away.
We are going to take a rest day in Milford, OH on July 22 and 23. We will go into Cincinnati
Arrival time in Dry Ridge is 3:00 pm (It was a hot, hot day)
61 miles, 10.5 mph, 5 hours and 50 minutes, 2800 feet of elevation gain.
Critter count
2 dogs (I was hoping for a dog free day)
1 Presbyterian Church (It was for sale)
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