Pedal to the Past? What is that, anyway? Who’s doing all this pedaling and where are they going?
We are Lauren Malicki and Melanie Baron. This July, we’re going to bike around part of Denmark, learning more about how Denmark saved nearly all of its Jewish population during the Holocaust. They did it over a few weeks in 1943. Danes of all backgrounds were part of a country-wide effort to smuggle over 7,000 Jews to Sweden in small boats, 10-15 people at a time. It’s an incredible example of ordinary people making an extraordinary difference – and it doesn’t get a lot of attention in American classrooms. We’re hoping to give this story some more play.
What’s the Connection?
Lauren is a middle school teacher in Connecticut, home to the Mystic Seaport ship museum. Only three of the hundreds of small boats used in the Danish rescue effort are still in the water – and one of them is at Mystic Seaport. Lauren noticed the boat, the Gerda III, and became fascinated by its story and the lessons it holds for young teens.
Lauren was awarded a Fund for Teachers grant to travel to Denmark for two weeks this summer to learn more and develop a curriculum for her students. I’m the lucky friend she invited to tag along and help document. This blog is where we’ll share our adventure with anyone who wants to follow along.
About Us
We’ve been friends for 50 years…literally. We met in kindergarten in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1973. Here we are way back when:
Today we’re both married with (old-ish) children, and while Lauren has had a steady career as a teacher, I’ve worked in a lot of nonprofit organizations – museums, libraries, and now a nonprofit medical clinic in North Carolina, telling stories and raising money.
Despite the time and the distance, Lauren and I are still one another’s first phone call when something good or terrible happens, and whether it’s been 2 hours or two years since our last conversation, we pick up wherever we left off. Because the conversation started when we were five.
So this story will be about history, but it will be told in real time, likely interwoven with the story of two old friends, now middle-aged women biking and backpacking, about aching knees and navigating techology and meeting people and laughing long into the night.
We hope you’ll come along.
Past Posts:
Back to Class
Lauren is back in the classroom – sharing Denmark’s rescue story with her students.
The Mystic Seaport – Preserving the Gerda III while Showcasing Her Amazing Story
Lauren here. This is my first post. Melanie was in charge of the blog while we were traveling together, and I am so thankful to her for all the work she put into it. This blog is such a great resource and holds all the information we gathered on our trip. Today I attended a…
Random Reflections
Some thoughts from the long trip home.
On Course
All roads led here, and it’s where we hoped to go.
“Second to None”
A story very few people knew until recently.
Right Place, Right Time
Being in the right place at the right time led to a perfect, personal story.
It’s Different Here (in Aarhus)
Aarhus through a historian’s eyes
We Made it Through the Rain
We pedal faster when we’re cold and wet!
Miles and The Extra Mile
Today we started our 2-day ride from Gilleleje to Aarhus. But first we took one more spin around Gilleleje. We set out to find the rest of the city’s plaques, but we found much more. Yesterday we visited the church’s sanctuary, but the attic where Jews were hidden and captured is only open on Thursdays,…
It’s Complicated
Collecting stories, memories, objects…and many many layers.
Reaching the Heart
For the last fifty miles, people have told us to go to Gilleje for the story…and now we’re here!
Talking to Strangers
Talk to strangers. The stranger, the better!
Make it Personal
Because stories are what make us care.
Context
Today was our first real day of study-tourism, and we started with some background. Jewish context We began the day at the Danish Jewish Museum. I’ve been admiring Danish architecture since we got here, and this one is no accident. It’s a mitzvah. The Hebrew word mitzvah means good deed, large or small. The museum,…
First Impressions
They say you only have one chance to make a first impression, and Copenhagen does not disappoint. It’s beautiful here! Even the SAS plane was gorgeous, flight attendants in crisp uniforms with pillbox hats throughout an 8 hour red eye. Everything is clean, and it works, and what a difference from the chaos and construction…
Worrying, Waiting and Wondering
Things were going too smoothly…
Packed
Or, how to bike for two weeks with three pairs of socks.
Better Together
The part of this trip I’m looking forward to the most is traveling with an old friend.
The Big Question
The millions of questions swirling in our brains all support one big question.
Testing Travel Tech
This might be a disaster, but it’s only a test and better to know now!
Training Wheels
I must really want to go to Denmark, because I don’t sweat on purpose, and I have a very low tolerance for pain.
We Have a Map!
Planning this trip has been surprisingly easy, geographically speaking.
Pedal to the Past 
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