Day 14 - May 24, 2023. Louisville, KY

Rest day in Louisville.  But - I'm not sure there was a whole lot of resting going on.  My day consisted of:  sleeping in until 8, breakfast, bike cleaning, then about 5 hours of touring in search of UGRR stuff, a visit to our comrade who crashed on Monday and is in hospital awaiting surgeries on her jaw and hand, followed by catching up on blog, etc.  For dinner it was leftover pizza and salad from last night.  Others had visits to bike shops, laundry, shopping, touring, visiting, etc., etc.

First stop on our (about 5 of us) tour was the Roots 101 Museum.  This museum has been open about 2 years.  It explores the African American story, "preserving the past, educating the present, cultivating a brighter future."  We were fortunate with our timing.  The founder, Lamont Collins, was about to speak to a middle school group and didn't hesitate to include us.  It was an amazingly powerful hour or so!








Then to a great little taco shop next door for lunch.  I had found an audio tour online from the Frazier History Museum.  It led us to four sites around downtown with UGRR significance. 

There were lots of other "heritage markers", some of which we found and took a look at.  We walked through the "Bourbon District", but didn't partake.  And - some other miscellaneous sights.  All in all, a very full day...............

































Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 32 - June 11, 2023. Niagara Falls, NY - Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Image
A relaxed start today shortly after 9am.  Less than 30km primarily on bike path from Niagara Falls to NOTL.  I've done this one several times in days gone by, so nothing new for me.   Back over the Rainbow Bridge to get from New York to Ontario.  We passed a Harriet Truman "tribute" near the Whirlpool Bridge.  Underwhelming, but an UGRR landmark.  In 1855 a railroad suspension bridge was built in this location, and apparently Harriet used that bridge as her route into Canada in 1856. I took a brief detour into the Niagara Horticultural grounds which I've never been into before.  Found out that this tree, which I've seen before on this trip, is of the Dogwood family.  The Butterfly Conservatory is also located here, but I have been into there before.   More pics into the gorge near the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge. Pics (again) at the Mackenzie Printery. An easy ride in to Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL).  Lisa sent me message that she ...
Read more

Day 31 - June 10, 2023. Hamburg, NY - Niagara Falls, NY

Image
The smoke and cool temps of the last few days are in the rear-view mirror.  Nice day ahead.  And - people were keen to get going.  I came out at the appointed time for snack table and the only people left in the parking lot were those who were riding in the van to the border.  There were about 8 to 10 of them; they didn't want to have to negotiate Buffalo traffic.   The navigation was actually quite easy, although some of the roads were a bit rough and the Shoreline Trail was in deplorable shape.  It was pretty much all Buffalo suburbs until we hit the city itself.  It was a much more pleasant route coming out of Hamburg than it was going in yesterday.   Some fun metal works on display. We rode past the Buffalo Naval Park, and I had to investigate. Along the dreadful Shoreline Trail. And the Peace Bridge to Fort Erie comes into view. Canadian soil!  So good to be here, if only for the day. Looking back at downtown Buffalo. Getting t...
Read more

Day 27 - June 6, 2023. Akron, OH - Austinburg, OH

Image
I must say I really wasn't looking forward to this ride.  Our last long & climby ride.  And - I was really feeling pretty tired yesterday.  But, it turned out A-OK.  It actually seemed like a pretty easy ride.   Breakfast at 6:30 (yawn!) and departure about 7:30.  Back to the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail.  Very similar to Sunday's ride. At some point the trail continued into Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio's only national park.  More of the same scenery. Lots of old locks in this section...... We got off the trail at Lock 29 at about mile 13, and got to the lovely little city of Hudson (pop 23,000) at about mile 20.  It is considered a suburban community of Akron.  We did a route through town to find a John Brown historical marker.  John Brown made his first public vow to destroy slavery here, and it became part of the Underground Railroad.  The Hudson Clock Tower was built in 1912.  Hudson was the home o...
Read more