Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Weekend filled with events around Back Roads and Beaches
Thousands of cyclists will arrive in Lorain County this weekend for the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure. Join them in working toward setting a record for the worlds longest bike parade. There will be no shortage of activity this weekend around the route. Of special note to cyclists exploring Underground Railroad history is Oberlin’s Juneteenth Festival. This year’s event will mark the 150th anniversary of the Oberlin Wellington slave rescue.
In September of 1858, John Price, a fugitive slave living in Oberlin, was tricked by slave hunters and taken by force to the nearby town of Wellington to await a train that would transport him back to Kentucky and slavery. The news of his abduction spread rapidly, and local abolitionists sprung into action. Students from Oberlin College set out for Wellington on foot, only to be overtaken by black and white townspeople speeding past in carriages and on horseback. Vowing no slave would ever be taken from Oberlin, the mob surrounded the Wellington hotel where Price was being held by three slave catchers from Kentucky. The rescuers carried him out a window, shuttled him back to Oberlin and hid him in the basement of James Fairchild's house (Fairchild later became president of Oberlin College). Soon after, Price disappeared. It is assumed that he made it to Canada and freedom.
Oberlin-Wellington Fugitive Slave Rescuers
Thirty-seven rescuers were later indicted for their roles in the Wellington-Oberlin Slave Rescue, but only 20 served time in jail while awaiting trial. Eventually all 20 were acquitted and were welcomed back to Oberlin with a parade and rallies.
Starting in Wellington and moving north, throughout the route, here are a few events this week
Wellington
Jun 13–14 Village Wide Sidewalk & Yard Sales, Wellington, 9am–5pm. 440.647.3987
www.mainstreetwellington.com
Jun 14-21 Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure, Lorain County Fairgrounds, Wellington. A week-long bicycle adventure beginning and ending in Wellington. Participate in the world record attempt for largest bike parade on June 14, 4-6pm registration, 6pm parade. 614.273.0811 | www.goba.com
Jun 14 Youth Anglers Fishing Derby, Findley State Park, Wellington, Picnic Point Area, 10am-12pm. Prizes for ages 15 & under. Tips on bait, tackle, identification and fishing skills. 440.647.5749
www.findleystatepark.org
Oberlin
Concert, Warner Concert Hall, Oberlin College, 4pm. Featuring music inspired by the culture and poetry of Native Americans. 440.774.4079 www.ochoristers.org
Jun 13–Aug 8 Fridays, Summer Concert Series, Tappan Square, Oberlin, 7–9pm. 440.774.6262 www.oberlinchamber.org
Jun 13–14 Juneteenth Celebration, Tappan Square, Oberlin, Fri 11am–8:30pm, Sat 10am–6pm. Celebrate the date that the last slaves were freed and the 150th anniversary of the Oberlin-Wellington Slave Rescue. 440.935.0201
www.juneteenthoberlin.com
Jun 14–Aug16 Saturdays at the Schoolhouse, Oberlin Heritage Center, 12–2pm. Little Red Schoolhouse, experience historic school lessons, and play old-fashioned games. 440.774.1700 www.oberlinheritage.org
Jun 13 Summer Kick-Off Hog Roast, Matus Winery, Wakeman, 12–8pm. Wine and dinner by the famous Chubby’s BBQ from Put-in-Bay. 440.774.WINE
www.matuswinery.us
Vermilion
Jun 13–15 Festival of Fish, Victory Park, Vermilion, Fri–Sat 12–11pm, Sun 12–6pm. Entertainment, lighted boat parade, crazy craft race, sand castle building, and parade on Sunday. 440.967.4477
www.discoververmilion.com
Jun 14 Festival of Fish 5K Race & 1 Mile Dog Walk, 8am registration, 9am race. 440.967.4208
www.vermilionymca.com
Labels: back roads and beaches, biking, events, Findley, fishing, GOBA, History, multi-sport, Oberlin, Underground Railroad, Vermilion, Wellington
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Visitors along the Back Roads and Beaches Route
This morning we found the BRaB route abuzz with activity. While taking pictures, we came across a charming couple, Shirley Batton and Rick Guseman. Rick is from California, Shirley, from Marion, Ohio. They were enjoying their multi-sport adventure at Findley State Park, on their bikes and kayaks. Following their trip through Lorain County, their travels will take them to Mohican State Park, then on to Las Vegas, Moab, Utah and Havasu. Rick is a river guide in the Western U.S. and was enjoying scenic, serene Findley Lake. When they were finished at Findley, they were headed over to Wellington Reservation to try their kayaks there. (photos by Barb Bickel)
While watching Rick and Shirley launch their kayaks, a Findley State Park ranger pulled up with a truck-load of fishing gear. The kids looked like they were having a blast learning how to fish! We almost wanted to join in the fun except the sun was getting high in the sky and it was time to head across the park to see what the mountain bikers were up to...
Over at the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail, developed by the North Coast Mountain Bikers, the trail was dry and fast and it looked as if bikers were taking full advantage of the optimal conditions before the big race next Sunday. Findley's mountain biking is great for both novices and experts. Among the twists, turns and jumps, there are options for experts that the novices can easily avoid. We saw all levels of mountain bikers out on the trail and everyone looked happy. It's going to be a big race week at Findley next week because along with Sunday's mountain bike race, NCN will be holding a sprint triathlon and duathlon on Saturday.
Further north, in downtown Oberlin, we found the Saturday morning farmer's market to be brimming with produce and handmade goods. Lot's of cyclists as well! The Oberlin College students are streaming back to town from summer break, once again filling the town with activity (and bikes!)
Labels: back roads and beaches, Findley, fishing, images, kayaking, multi-sport, Oberlin, Thorn Mountain Bike Trail, visitors
Monday, August 13, 2007
View from the kayak
Kayaking is a big part of Back Roads and Beaches Multi-sport tour. Kayaks can be rented in the southern portion of the BRaB tour at Findley State Park or, in the northern portion, at Great Lakes Kayaking. Yesterday, my family and I rented kayaks at Great Lakes Kayaking and were treated to a unique view and experience in Lake Erie. Great Lakes Kayaking rents double kayaks so my 7 and 8 year olds were able to tag along with the grown-ups and I didn't have to worry about them wearing out.
This proved to be a great way to get some exercise and teach the kids a little about the environment. They especially loved kayaking under the Charles Berry Bascule Bridge where they could look up and see the cars traveling over them. A little further up the river, the kids loved the choppy waters and sailboats that sweep by the lighthouse. We didn't venture out onto the lake but found our little Black River excursion to be enough of a workout.
As seen by the full parking lot at the Port Authority launch ramp, Sunday was a big day for smallmouth bass fishing as well. There was a rather large tournament going on so we shared the river with quite a few bass boats. Lake Erie is especially well-known for awesome walleye, smallmouth bass, steelhead and perch fishing. There are numerous charter boats that can take small groups out for a half day or full day of fishing.
As for kayaking, if you're bringing your own, there are a number of great places to launch for a Lake Erie adventure. Vermilion has a Municipal boat ramp where you can launch your own kayak or canoe. Vermilion is currently working on developing a kayak trail of the Vermilion River. Other good Lake Erie Launching points include the Lorain Port Authority Lakeside Landing and the Black River Wharf Boat Launch (where kayaks can be rented). If you're planning the day around kayaking Lake Erie, just east of the Black River you'll find Spitzer Lakeside Marina and the Jackalope Restaurant. If you leave your kayak at Lakeside Landing, you can take a break and have a bite to eat at Jackalope. Outdoor seating with a view of the marina and Lorain Lighthouse are available.
I can't forget to mention the birding along the Black River! We saw a number of different birds, Great Blue Herons that were busy fishing, Sandhill cranes, Magnolia Warblers and Mallards.
We feel very lucky to have all these awesome natural experiences so close to home. Hopefully the kids have some new memories and a better appreciation of our environment and recreation. And I hope they are inspired, as I am, to continue to explore and protect our natural resources.
Click here for more information on the Back Roads and Beaches Multi-Sport tour of Lorain County/North Central Ohio.
Labels: birding, Black River, fishing, kayaking
Oberlin-Wellington Fugitive Slave Rescuers
