Austin, MN to La Crosse, WI

 

Austin to La Crosse WI

Go Packers! Today, we crossed into our 8th state, Wisconsin. We are now honorary cheese heads!

It was a long day at 117 miles with about 3000’ of climbing. For a period of time we took tremendous pleasure in riding on a bike path that extended for almost 50 miles. It passed through rolling farm land hard along the Root River, which completes its run at the mighty Mississippi just south of La Crosse. The bike path was created from a former narrow gauge railroad bed. It was well used by cyclists of all ages and types, and apparently has given impetus to several service businesses in small towns along the way, catering to cyclists enjoying the path. I’m not certain as to how it was funded, but it appeared to me to be a sound investment for cyclists, local businesses, and nearby townships.

One of the many townships located along the bike path is Rushford, established in 1854. In the period prior to the Civil War, the underground railroad was active in the area from Rushford to the Mississippi River. Several leading citizens of Rushford were ardent abolitionists, willing to defy the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 (part of the 1850 Compromise, a tangled and tortured conciliation that simply kicked the can down the road toward the inevitable…). In doing so they established safe houses along the upper Mississippi and the Root, giving succor, hope, and shelter to runaway slaves prior to facilitating their evacuation to Canada. All involved, runaways and abolitionists, were brave souls, indeed. Rushford was established on the belief that all people, regardless of color or creed, have value. And the town’s founders came together time and again to demonstrate that belief with their actions prior to the Civil War and following the war. A wonderful example for us all, I expect.

Also, good tidings are coming, as our Madison rest day is almost here, and with it, my long awaited reunion with Amy. Yay!

Until tomorrow…sleep tight!