Entertainment

Parke County, Indiana, Covered Bridge Capital of the World

/ Roadtirementvintage / 8 Comments

Park County Indiana is home to two Indiana State Parks and the 2,110 acre Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area. In addition Parke County is home to 31 covered bridges, more than any other county in the nation. Rockville is the county seat and also is the starting point for 5 different well marked self driving road tours to see most of the 31 bridges.

The 245′ Bridgeton Bridge and associated mill, The bridge was burned by arson in 2005, rebuilt in 2006.

These historic bridges are fairly evenly scattered over the 444 square miles of the county. Every October over two million visitors converge on Parke County for the world famed 10 day Covered Bridge Festival. People come to see the bridges and shop any of the thousands of vendors who occupy building’s or temporary tents that sprout up allover the county.

Crooks Bridge, 132′ long, built in 1856 by Henry Wolfe

Neet Bridge, 125′ long, was built in 1904 by JJ Daniels

Note the Red Arrow. This shows the easy self driving tour routes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took the 34 mile long Red Route starting at the Rail Road Depot in Rockville. This drive brought us up close and personal to eight old covered bridges. Some we could drive across, some were closed to traffic with a new roadway running next to the bridge.

Harry Evans Bridge, 65 ‘ long, built by JA Britton in 1908

Showing the Burr-Arch support design of the Evans bridge. This design is found in 30 of the Park County bridges including one double Burr-Arch.

Our road trip to Parke County was, in our opinion, most successful. Along with our drive along the Red Route of covered bridges, we also had some other stops that we’ll share in other articles here. Just know this: a road trip to Parke County Indiana offers country roads and viewing historic bridges, enjoyable dining and shopping opportunities. Click here for the Park County Visitor’s Center website.

White’s Flea Market

/ Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments

White’s farm is located in Brookville, Indiana. Every Wednesday they have a flea market.

Entrance sign

They are open every Wednesday, year-round, from daylight until noon. They have indoor and outside booths. We like setting up our treasure finds there. One of our retirement adventures is going to yard sales and auctions. We also have an eBay store.

One vendor’s tables

This trailer turns into their sales spot

$3 treats of all kinds

White’s is a nice, friendly place. The flea market opens at daybreak. We try to arrive around 5AM, that gives us time to set up and grab coffee. They have breakfast reasonably priced if you’re hungry.

Rent a barn and set up each week

Large field, only $15 for a 20×24’ space

Snapping turtle head on a walking staff. (You never know what you’re gonna find at White’s)

At this market you’ll find things you need as well as items to simply enjoy–antiques, new items, crafts, used merchandise, and fresh produce. Parking is free of charge and no charge to enter. Click here for White’s Website.

Broadway’s “Waitress” comes to Indy’s Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Theater entrance

Laughter and music made for an entertaining evening at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre last night. We saw a delightful stage version of the musical Waitress, featuring the music of Sara Bareilles and inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s movie. Nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Waitress celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the culinary magic of delicious pies.

Jenna, center, pours sugar as she prepares a new pie with Becky, left, and Dawn, right

Jenna is a waitress in a small roadside diner, stuck in an abusive marriage, and dreams of getting away to start her own shop. Jenna’s fellow waitresses include  Becky  and Dawn. All three go through romantic encounters, sharing their singing talents along the way. Please be aware, this show is an adult themed show, not suitable for kids.

Ogie surprises Dawn with flowers at the diner where she works

Keirsten Hodgens makes her Beef & Boards debut in the role of Jenna, along with Chanel Edwards-Frederick in the role of Jenna’s friend, Becky. Grace Atherholt plays another friend, Dawn, with Brett Mutter as Ogie, Logan Moore as Earl, and Douglas E. Stark (He owns the place!) as Joe. Also making their Beef & Boards debuts are Noah Berry as Dr. Pomatter and Adam du Plessis as Cal, the diner owner.

The waitresses wipe off tables as they prepare to open Joe’s Pie Diner

These talented cast members were superb in their singing, line delivery and character development. The degree of professionalism in this production is evident across all Stephanie Torns, who performed in the original Broadway cast of Waitress, is both Director and Choreographer for the show. Kristy Templet is music director of the terrific on stage orchestra. This theatrical production is unique and eclectic with a touch of erotic thrown in. Prepare to laugh and be entertained.

Jenna gives her new doctor, Dr. Pomatter a pie she’d intended for her former doctor

Waitress is on stage through Aug. 31. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. To buy tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664. Waitress is rated PG-13 for mature content including adult language, violence, and adult themes.

Sixty foot tall mural of Pacers Reggie Miller

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Reggie Miller played college ball at UCLA and was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1987 in the 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall). Miller only played for the Pacers until he retired in 2005.

Standing at 60-ft tall, this is the tallest of the murals in downtown Indianapolis. Portraying Reggie Miller, one of the Pacers’ most renowned players. This creation by mural artist Pamela Bliss was completed in 2018. Bliss has created several striking murals in Indianapolis.

Reggie is taking one of his favorite shots on the Northeast corner of “The Mich” building address 127 E. Michigan St. The mural faces North Delaware Street. Boom Baby!

The Garage, Indy’s unique Food Hall

/ Roadtirementvintage / 4 Comments

The Bottleworks District of Indianapolis is a vibrant area in close proximity to the intersection of I-70 and I-65, once known as the “spaghetti bowl”. Bounded by N. College Ave, 10th Street, Bellefontaine St, and Massachusetts Avenue, this is the home of The Garage Food Hall.

Comfy patio, great for socializing

Beautiful 30’s era architecture

Intimate outside seating

 

 

 

 

 

The Garage Food Hall is a 30,000 square foot food and market hall that occupies two of the historic Coca-Cola bottling plant’s original garage buildings. The Art Deco terracotta facades faithfully protect the 1930s industrial architecture facades. Large roll-up doors allow for a seamless indoor and outdoor experience.

Authentic “British” Fish & Chips

Hard Truth Distillery

Mouth watering Asian Hibachi Grilled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Garage  hosts a variety of food and beverage vendors each bringing top culinary creative chefs and drink creators together in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Distilleries, breweries and wineries are represented. Menus from around the world also serve hungry visitors with about any type of cuisine you can think of.

Traditional Mexican cuisine with Asian-fusion taqueria

Gaucho’s Fire: The best of Brazil’s street food

 

 

 

 

 

Per visitindy.com: “Axle’s is the spot for a cold one after work”

In addition to the many food and drink vendors at this unique and historic facility, there are retail and service businesses included in the roster of establishments.  Specialty gifts, clothing, spa services and a full service barber and beauty shop are among the non food vendor offerings.

Fun picture at the electric bicycle shop

Parking is absolutely hassle free at The Garage. Lot 4, adjacent to the building. Open Monday – Friday from 9AM -5 PM parking is only $2.00. Weekdays 11 AM – 3 PM First hour is Free. More details at The Garage website here.

Circle City Sweets Bakery at the AMP at 16 TECH

/ Roadtirementvintage / 4 Comments

The AMP is located in the HQO center of the 16 TECH on Indiana Avenue on Indy’s near west side. This food court offers 20 different food and retail vendors. Most are cleverly situated in customized reused shipping containers.

Mouth watering pastry delights

Fresh baked, sliced to order sourdough bread

 

 

 

 

 

One vendor we discovered as soon as we entered the venue was Circle City Sweets. An absolutely delicious looking array of gourmet pastries filled the classic curved glass display case.  What an awesome selection of culinary pastry excellence ready for your enjoyment.

Cinnamon Roll, scrumptious!

Bacon cheddar scone, MMM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lemon-Blueberry Scone (Bites taken before picture!)

Yes, they have Merchandise too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastry Chef and Owner Cindy Hawkins has a very nice bakery at the AMP facility serving delicious scones and other tasty creations. We each picked out a special treat as well as a loaf of sourdough bread. When at the AMP be sure to get a treat to enjoy there or to take home. Click here for the bakery’s website.

Broadway’s “Waitress” brings something sweet, with a touch of spice, to Beef & Boards

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Served up for the first time on its stage starting July 17, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents Waitress, the Broadway hit featuring the music of Sara Bareilles. Nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Waitress celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

Keirsten Hodgens as Jenna

Waitress was inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s film and features the music of six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles. B & Bs’ production is fortunate to have Stephanie Torns as choreographer and director. She performed in the original Broadway cast of Waitress and brings that experience and skill to this stage.

Waitress is on stage for 48 performances through Aug. 31. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. To buy tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664. Waitress is rated PG-13 for mature content including adult language, violence, and adult themes.

The AMP is in the old Indy Water Company service bay, now part of 16 TECH

/ Roadtirementvintage / 3 Comments

“The AMP is focused on uplifting everyone in the Indianapolis culinary/retail community by featuring a diverse array of concepts from emerging businesses to established concepts and an approachable leasing structure designed to allow entrepreneurs a place to start out and scale up.” Quoted from The AMP website

Food service in a shipping container

The Black Orchid Barbers

 

 

 

 

 

The AMP is located in the HQO center of the 16 TECH on Indiana Avenue on the near west side. Offering a very wide variety of food establishments, you’ll find just about any type of eats and drinks there. Each eatery or retail establishment is housed in its own colorful customized shipping container.

Multiple eateries

Ice Cream Nachos w/ waffle cone chips

 

 

 

 

 

A most exotic offering: Irish Sea Moss from Jamaica showcases diversity.

Even though it is located within the 16 TECH complex, AMP stands on its own as a local hotspot for diversity, events and culture in Indianapolis. Featuring food stalls, an open-air bar, communal seating and ample community gathering and event space, it can host events with up to 1100 persons.

This man loves his work

Fabulously delicious hand made treats

 

 

 

 

 

Deli goods galore, note shipping container

There are 20+ vendors scattered around the food service shipping containers. There is also varied seating, including outdoor seating area, and the inside open seating wine bar. Food types cover a wide range of offerings, including some exotic items. We had eaten before we went, but plan to return sometime for a full meal. The comfortable seating includes tables large enough to hold your meal and your laptop. Our son commented that the overall ambiance reminded him of a university environment.

Meal cooked at your table at Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse

/ Roadtirementvintage / 3 Comments

Sher and I recently had a trip to the Seattle area to visit family. one evening we all went to Everette to have dinner at the Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse. This Japanese cuisine that is cooked before diners on a large iron griddle. The chef is a talented cook and a lively entertainer as well.

Setting for dinner plus a beer, grill behind

House salad with ginger dressing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were five folks in our party, and we were joined by another couple at the same horseshoe shaped table. We started with a ginger topped salad and drinks. Sher had ordered a vegetarian meal with fried rice without egg. I ordered a chicken and steak meal. Our chef put on quite the show, keeping up a nearly constant discussion with us.

Preparing the veggies

Serving Sher’s veggie plate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all thoroughly enjoyed our dinners. The portions were frankly huge, no body wasn’t filled! Our chef was both a dynamic and exciting entertainer and superb cook. He most definitely kept us enthralled by his dexterity and sometimes scary use of cooking tools. He also kept us smiling. He once flipped a slice of butter across the grill while declaring “BUTTER-FLY”!

 

 

Penn and Teller’s Las Vegas show at the Rio

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Las Vegas is known for casinos and for its star studded famous shows. When we planned our Vegas trip with our Seattle family we decided that the one show we wanted to take in was Penn and Teller’s magic show. Penn Jillette, the tall one, is the one who speaks, narrating the show. Teller, of short stature, rarely speaks, using mime and gestures to communicate.

Marquee for Rio Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

Penn and Teller were celebrating their 50 years in the entertainment business in 2025. They are listed as the longest running headliners to play at the same hotel in Las Vegas history. They have their own theater in the Rio Hotel and Casino just off the strip.

Stage, Penn and Teller Theater

Before the show started (we arrived about 45 minutes before curtain) a piano and bass fiddle entertained. An emcee on stage was requesting patrons to come on stage and sign a large manila envelope for “a record of who is here tonight”.

In the theater lobby

The professional showmanship of Penn and Teller is obvious from the moment they enter the stage. It soon becomes easy to see why they have been successful performing for 50 years. Just about every trick performed involves at least one volunteer from the audience.

Before the show starts, audience sign in

One of the tricks involved distributing blown up balloons on a straw with a safety pin attached. Each balloon had one card inside from a full deck. On cue anyone with a balloon was told to pop it and retrieve the card within. Fifty cards popped within a couple of seconds.  Sher was given a balloon, so she can say she was part of a Vegas Show.

Sher’s show souvenir on our fridge

It was a fabulous show, definitely a highlight of our Los Vegas adventure.  The Rio does not have the best reputation, but the Penn and Teller Theater is a first class venue.  We would recommend this show as one to attend when in Vegas.