June 6:  Dublin to Mt Vernon, Ohio  73.4 miles

Today's forecast was for hot, sun, hot, sun and more hot!!!  High in the 90s with the possibility of a slight wind in the afternoon.  Everyone was in agreement that an early morning departure was the best thing to do in order to try to beat the afternoon heat to our next destination.

Dublin is on the outskirts of Columbus, so the first third of the ride was just navigating around the city on back country roads and away from the morning rush hour.  The terrain in this part of the state is flat with most of the fields in some state of corn crop growth.  The rain over the last couple of days has washed out the low lying fields, but the rest seemed to be hanging in there.  Every once in awhile the land sits dormant for a year or two and the result is a beautiful meadow of wildflowers. 

We are crossing diagonally through the state from the southwest corner to the northeastern edge.  While trying for most of the time to avoid the larger cities we are passing through several smaller ones that have served their farm population for years.  These same towns were many times the location of the Underground Railroad "stations".  While talking to a local in Sparta (pop 191) it was learned that there are a couple of private homes that to this day still have the tunnel system entrances in their basements.  Unfortunately, these homes are not opened to the public.

As we approached our destination for the evening, Mt Vernon the terrain started that familiar pattern of rolling hills.  As yesterday, the wind was in our favor and pushed us up each incline and gave us a shove on the declines.  

Our home away from home tonight is the Curtis Inn right on the town's square.  The locals are preparing for an evening of entertainment in the square as we pedal in.  Directly in front of our hotel the town should come alive as the sun sets.  

Note:  Mt Vernon is the home of Dan Emmett.