Visiting the Kent State May 4 Memorial

Today was a difficult, tearful, most touching day. I spent this morning and early afternoon at the site of what is referred to today on wikipedia as the Kent State Massacre. Almost invariably, most "baby-boomers" are familiar with what occurred on May 4, 1970.  At 1224 PM, within thirteen seconds, 28 Ohio National Guard fired 67 shots into a crowd of students. They were demonstrating against the decision by President Richard Nixon to extend the Viet Nam war by invading Cambodia.  Four students were killed and nine others wounded. 

As I wandered the site this morning all the memories of that tumultuous time in our history came back.  I constantly was welling up with tears as I walked around Taylor Hall. Almost invariably whenever I started to speak with anyone this morning about it I started to cry. I met a young woman looking at one of the displays on the grounds.  I started to speak with her and as soon as I did my voice began to quake. Although I hadn't been there, I felt as if I had.  I well up now as I type this. The four students killed were aged 19-20. On that day, in 1970 I was looking forward to my nineteenth birthday.  I got to experience that birthday, and many more. They never did. As I walked around the site I was constantly confronted with the feeling that it could have been me.

Today was difficult, very difficult in many ways, but it was a journey I needed to make.  I needed to come here today to pay my respects not only to those who died, but also to those who have struggled to come to terms with what happened that day.  It was a very very angry time.  America was engaged in a brutal war and it was, almost literally, tearing the country apart.

I was privileged today to have the opportunity to have a brief tour of the yet to be opened memorial display housed in the basement of Taylor Hall.  I met one of the curators whom I had been told was present the day of the shootings. As much as part of me wanted to, I could not summon the courage to ask her about her experience that day for fear that I would simply break down before her or that I would summon the same in her.  Yes, it was that emotional. 

For "baby boomers" it brings it all back. For all of us it provides another perspective on what was happening in those so difficult times.  I urge everyone, if you have the opportunity, to spend the time you need at this site to inquire, learn and reflect. 

I conclude for now with this quote that welcomes you as you enter the memorial. It is from Alison Krause, (April 23, 1951 - May 4, 1970) who was killed that day.

Dates and facts are not enough to show what happened in the past. It is necessary to delve into the human side of history to come up with the truth.  History must be made relevant to the present to make it useful.

 Mary Ann Vecchio, screaming in anguish over the body of Jeffrey Miller.

It was from this vantage point that the National Guard aimed and fired.

 Yes, it could have been me.

One lethal reminder that exists today. One of the bullets pierced half inch thick steel through this sculpture.  The memorial in the distance is to Jeffrey Miller, one of the four students killed.

After a Few Days on the Road

Since crossing the Rainbow Bridge and entering Niagara Falls, NY on Sunday, I have cycled about 375 kilometers on my journey into the "heart" of America.  Pedaling across the extreme northwest corner of Pennsylvania I am now in my third state, Ohio.  It is time to try and make sense of what I have experienced so far.

If what I wanted was to experience a slice of "Americana" it would be hard to beat what I came across as I entered Conneaut, Ohio. I felt like I had entered a movie set when I found the White Turkey Drive-In.

From a cycling perspective, the further I have journeyed, the worse the roads have become. New York state impressed me with their wide well maintained paved shoulders. As soon as I hit the PA border, the road surface deteriorated, and the shoulders became narrower. I should have considered myself lucky, for once I entered Ohio, the shoulders disappeared entirely as I cycled on rough pavement that was edged by a decades old curb. Infrastructure was in bad shape, as evidenced by this railway overpass on US 20 just west of Conneaut. How long before it collapses?

Lots of abandoned warehouses, and For Sale signs seemed to be everywhere. In Conneaut, an large church building, with big house, was on offer for $69,900. A real estate office showed dozens of properties, many decent looking homes for less than $100,000. $250,000 would get you a massive home on several acres.

Interestingly, a village police force had the resources to purchase and maintain what I can only call an urban assault vehicle.

It wasn't all bad though, but the bad stuff does stand out.  On the bright side, the Western Reserve Greenway Trail is a well maintained paved route extending from Ashtabula to the outskirts of Warren, Ohio, a distance of more than 40 miles. It is a beautiful easy ride taking you through quiet countryside.

In Austinburg I chanced upon a bbq set up outside Shannon's Mini Mart. It was hosted by Tami Pentek who is running for Clerk of County Courts. Why this is an elected position is one of the vagaries of American politics that I am yet to understand. Lots of relaxed conversation was happening. I chatted with an area cyclist and then spent a few minutes discussing my trip with Ms. Pentek.

As I cycled closer to Warren and started to inquire about motels, I was repeatedly warned away from that city. "They had trouble there. You wouldn't want to stay there.", were the admonitions. I took the advice offered, and found myself at the deservedly named "Budget Motel" at the intersection of I80 and Highway 5. I want to learn more about what is going on in Warren, Ohio. Perhaps another day, or another trip.

I have found people to be almost invariably friendly and welcoming. A lot of the overheard conversations, however, in diners, and other such places, is about the economy, and how bad it is. You don't really have to listen though. All you have to do is look around.

My First Observed Presidential Election Sign

2012 - America VS Obama

 
This was the first sign that caught my eye regarding the U.S. presidential election.  It started me thinking.  If America (at least, apparently, some Americans) are against Obama the other part of this message, albeit unstated, is that Obama is against America. The logical outcome of this would be that Obama is not only Un-American, but ultimately anti-American.  I saw two of these signs outside homes just east of Dunkirk, New York as I cycled along SR 5. It struck me as quite a divisive "Us versus Them" message. What I found particularly ironic was that I saw these signs only a couple of hours after reading a news article about how  "Romney accuses Obama of running a campaign of anger and divisiveness."

I know I've missed some of Obama's speeches, but he has never struck me as one who engages in "anger and divisiveness". If anything, one of the criticisms I hear about him is that he endevours too often to portray himself as the great compromiser., who seeks to "reach his hand across the aisle."   Perhaps I have misinterpreted these signs. I am certainly open to an alternate explanation of their meaning.

Now I am really curious to see more roadside signs as I travel south.

Morphing Into a Traveling Explorer

Although my cycling journey hasn't yet begun I am now transitioning into a "traveler".  A traveler is someone who, at least in the moment, is without roots.  I noticed this when I glanced over at my  panniers stacked in my brother's living room. Those four little bags, attached to my bicycle, constitute at least the physical essence of my home and life for the next two or three months. During this journey I often will not know in the morning where I will find rest at the end of my day. In the event of bad weather, shelter may be in a mall or under a store awning or a bridge.  My next meal will often be an unknown. To be a traveler means to let go of the security of home, and trust the awesomeness of the world that surrounds you.

This afternoon I hope to get a peek at some of that awesomeness as I take in buskerfest at the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto with my good friend Paul. A last wander through the gleaming steel and glass towers of this big city. Should be quite a change once I start pedaling along the southern shore of Lake Erie.

Let the Journey Begin!

I guess today is the beginning of the beginning of the trip.   Later this morning I will pedal about two kilometers to the train station. I'll be boarding train number 55 for Toronto from Ottawa & then cycle about 16 km. to my brother's home just north of  Highway 401.  I'll be spending two or three days in my old hometown visiting with family & friends before heading off to Niagara to begin what I can only describe as my first "epic" cycling journey.   Last summer taking two weeks to cycle 1,000 kilometers around Lake Ontario seemed big, but, 3,000 km. in ten weeks to go to Florida?  At this stage in my life, that classifies as epic.

There will, I trust be much, much more to come through this blog and other postings. For now though, let the journey begin!

A List of Links!

Here is a list of links to where I will be posting about my upcoming trip.


My personal blog
My Fun(d)raising facebook page
My youtube channel
My Crazyguyonabike page.
My Strava Page (this is where my gps tracked route will be posted, showing daily distance, elevation, route & speed)
Twitter   -  #LPRide (the hashtag I will using on Twitter.)