Seymour Indiana welcome sign and CSX caboose

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Intricate sign public art

This dramatic Seymour Welcome sign is located on US 50 just west of  I-65.  Made of metal on a concrete base, it includes symbols of Seymour’s history. A locomotive, plane propeller, corn, guitar, crown, bell tower and grain bins are just a few of the items on the welcome sign that was completed in 2014.


A bit west of the sign on US 50 is a somewhat faded  yellow caboose. Marked with the Chessie System logo and name, it is parked next to an abandoned grain elevator.  Seymour has a long and colorful history with railroads, so this caboose is a fitting display for the town.

Another Bison-tennial bison spotted in Freetown, Indiana

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We were enjoying a day trip to southern Indiana on a very warm May day. We’d been to a covered bridge, done some shopping, bird watching and just taking in the sights. The next sight we observed was another one of those Bison-tennial statues from Indiana’s 2016 celebration. celebration.

Freetown’s bison statue

One of the panels on bison’s flank

Another panel showing history of Freetown

 

 

 

 

 

We did find ourselves on a detour of our main route and noted the sign announcing that we had arrived in the unincorporated  community of Freetown in Jackson County Indiana. We have seen several of these statues as we have traveled all over the state. Each one is different, due to the paint and design of same.

Indianapolis Southwestway Park offers mountain bike and horse trails

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Southwestway Park is a 587-acre park in the southwest part of Indy, outside the I-465 loop on Mann Road.  There is a long trail system that includes hiking, mountain biking, running and horseback riding. There are baseball diamonds, soccer fields and other recreational sports available here, along with the Winding River Golf Course.

Yes, horses allowed

Beautiful trails

Trail Head information board with trail maps

Discover White River Rewards Pass is a delightful program that allows you to explore 37 different parks along White River in central Indiana. Southwestway Park is one of 37 Indy parks belonging to the Rewards Pass. The Discover White River Pass offers exclusive real-world rewards like stickers, shirts, and on-water experiences by visiting dozens of parks and attractions.

Medora Covered Bridge is the longest triple span in the country

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The Medora Covered Bridge was built in 1875 by master builder J.J. Daniels. Located off State Road 235 and close to Medora on the East Fork of White River, this bridge has no windows. Thus it was once was once known as the Dark Bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

At a very impressive 431 feet 10 inches long, it is the longest three-span Burr Truss covered bridge in the United States. The roof length of 461 feet and the siding at the floor length of 459 feet also are the longest covered bridge measurements in the country.

Baltimore Orioles beautiful to see beautiful to hear

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The brightly colored Baltimore Oriole received its name from the resemblance of the male’s colors to those on the coat-of-arms of 17th-century Lord Baltimore.

We saw this Baltimore Orioles in our backyard enjoying nectar

The Baltimore Orioles’ diet is mainly insects, berries, nectar as well as sugar water. In summer it feeds mostly on insects, especially caterpillars. It also eats beetles, grasshoppers, wasps, bugs  plus spiders and snails. Orioles also eat berries and sometimes cultivated fruit.

Public art displayed between two museums in Indianapolis

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Downtown Indianapolis is home to several attractions, including the Eiteljorg Museum of Native American and Western Art and the Indiana State Museum featuring natural and civilization history.  On display between the two is a striking piece by a native Hoosier artist.

“Rhino Arch” by Jerald Jacquard


This area is part of the White River State Park, named for the large river flowing through the city heading south. Indy has successfully planned and finished trails, parks and other examples of public art throughout the metropolitan area.

Columbus Indiana’s award winning Mill Race Park

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Columbus Indiana’s Mill Race Park is located on a flood plain on the west side of downtown. The award winning design takes that in account, for example, the restrooms are made to allow the annual flooding to flow through the glass block buildings with no damage.

Inside showing bridge trusses

One of my favorite parts of the park is the beautiful relocated covered bridge. Originally built in 1840 over the White River, it was rebuilt in 1995 at Mill Race Park. It remains the only Long Truss Structure in the state.

Indy’s eclectic Fountain Square districts

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Yes, there is a fountain!

VisitIndy.com says it best:   Just southeast of downtown, this funky Indianapolis neighborhood has vintage and antique shops, a world of restaurants, working artists and a vibrant arts scene, live music and performance, and one-of-a-kind stores that sell comics, musical instruments, home decor, fresh flowers, and so much more. Visit Fountain Square any time of the day or night, and find out why our neighborhood is anything but…square!

Fancy marque lighting

The Fountain Square Theatre Building opened in 1928 as a place for entertainment, shopping and professional offices. The structure is located at the intersection of Virginia Avenue at Shelby and Prospect Streets. It is but one of the many historic buildings that add character to this interesting piece of Indianapolis.