Riding in the Footsteps of History

I have a wish list of trail rides that includes the 2-mile trail at Woodlawn Manor, an 18th century brick manor house surrounded by meadows, woodland trails, pond & streams.  Woodlawn is only about 10 miles from the farm so it was an easy trip on a warm spring afternoon. 

Francis Scott Key was a frequent visitor to Woodlawn Manor

Woodlawn's stone barn is thought to have been a stop on The Underground Railroad.   The 2-mile trail commemorates the involvement of Montgomery County residents in the Underground Railroad and celebrates the Quaker heritage and traditions of Sandy Spring. 

 

As we started on the trail, we met a group of students on a simulated Underground Railroad experience hike.   A volunteer “conductor” was teaching the students about the various techniques that Freedom Seekers used to elude trackers, find food, and navigate their way North to freedom.  

I overheard the “conductor” tell the hikers to look for food, water and shelter.  As we rode, I thought about the incredible courage of the slaves traveling through the woods at night trying to elude potential captors. 

When we reached the hollow tree, I could imagine a young mother and her small child crouched in fear as they traveled North to avoid being sold and separated.  We rode along a stream that was undoubtedly important as a source of water for weary travelers.  

The hollow tree provided shelter for weary travelers

After our long and tiresome winter, it was wonderful to ride leisurely through the woods and see the buds beginning to appear on the bushes and tiny wildflowers in bloom.  Passing a pond, we heard the shrill song of the spring peepers.  

Spring peeper

The Underground Railroad Experience Trail

And typical of our weather this year, as I’m writing this the temperature has dropped below freezing and it's snowing and sleeting again.  Nature has a really cruel sense of humor.