Until this day in 1862, the steamer Planter was used by the Confederacy as an armed dispatch boat in Charleston, South Caroline. Then the ship's helmsman, left on board while the captain was ashore, quietly cast off under a Confederate flag and steamed past several Confederate forts, sounding the usual salute. When out of range of Confederate guns, he raised a white flag and turned the Planter over to the USS Onward of the Union blockade. That helmsman was 23-year-old Robert Smalls, born into slavery and denied the the title "pilot" due to his race. The Planter carried Smalls and fifteen other enslaved people, including women and children, to freedom. Smalls handed over artillery, explosives, and intelligence to the Union. The Union appointed Smalls appointed captain of the Planter, the first black man to command a U.S. ship. Today's ride was a blast, reuniting with several Santa Cruz riders after years away. And I was happy to finally meet fellow club board member Cindy Pierce in person and ride with her to the top of Rodeo Gulch. Two gulches today: After Rodeo I continued on the route to Trout Gulch and Valencia. Old familiar climbs from years ago. Perfect weather. And I got back in time to snag a campground at New Brighton State Beach from the wait list.