My Old Kentucky Home

It’s been a great day back in Kentucky, a pleasant ride through the rolling hills of some beautiful rural scenery. The skies were threatening, but once again the rain never materialized. My good fortune with weather on this journey has been remarkable. I was chased by three dogs and an Alpaca.

Okay, he didn’t actually chase me but he was in the road with me – I wanted to take his picture but his canine companion wouldn’t allow me the opportunity – I guess he had escaped from his pasture and the dog was trying to herd him back home). You never know what you are going to encounter on these roads!

I spent a little time this morning visiting the historic sites in Madison before crossing the river back into Kentucky. One neighborhood, Georgetown, has a significant connection to the Underground Railroad. This was where the city’s early free African-Americans settled, and this church,

the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church (built in 1850) was where they worshipped. It is one of the oldest buildings of its kind in America.

Riding into Madison yesterday, I passed by Lancaster, Indiana, home of Eleutherian College. The founders of this college were actively involved in the Underground Railroad as conductors and in providing safe houses to freedom seekers. The school was opened in 1848 as an egalitarian place of higher learning, where students of any race or gender could get an education. The college was also linked to the “Anti-Slavery Baptist Church,” whose congregation met in the college chapel.

In Carrollton today I crossed the Kentucky River before making a rather steep climb to Eagle Station and then on to Sparta, where I had fried cod for lunch at the Sparta Store & Deli. It was the Friday special, so I couldn’t resist. The store is a typical general store with a rather disorganized

eclectic mix of groceries and supplies. There is one table in the place to sit if you want to eat and the menu is simple – fried cod and fries. They have one bathroom with a non-working sink, so you have to go through the kitchen and wash your hands where they wash the dishes. A little scary, but the fish was good nonetheless.

After leaving Sparta, I took a real back road that followed the railroad tracks most of the way until I had to make another steep climb into Dry Ridge. This is where I am camping tonight, although it is doubtful that the ridge will stay dry through the night. Not a problem, as I have the tent fly well secured

and ready for whatever blows my way. Tomorrow I continue my route through Kentucky. It has shifted more away from the river today, but in a couple of days I will be back alongside it just southeast of Cincinnati. If the weather holds out, I should make it to Cincinnati by Monday night. Thank you for your wonderful words of support and your contributions to this extreme fundraising campaign. Together we are keeping the public radio machine cranking along. I will continue blogging through the weekend, so stay tuned ...

Large versions of all my blog pics can be found at my photo gallery.

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