A visit from a Turkey Vulture

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Our eagle eyed son shouted “Dad, come here, there’s a big bird on the top of the pole!” He was so right. A Turkey Vulture had in fact landed on the very tall utility pole in the yard next door.

That is a six foot wingspan! This big bird only weighs 3-4 pounds.

The Turkey Vulture eats carrion and plays a large role in cleaning up the ecosystem. It can soar for hours, riding the thermals in the sky. (Here is a video link of ours with soaring vultures) It was raining today, and this vulture was spreading his wings to dry and shaking off moisture as well. Vultures also spread their wings first thing in the mornings to warm up and energize for the day. We seem to have a wonderful perch, and this is the first time we have seen a vulture land here.

Gonna have some “maters” in a bit

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We have Red Beefeater and Big Boy tomato plants this year

Red Beefeater

Big Boy

Big Boy twins

Just in the past couple of days our tomato plants have really started putting on fruit. I guess that patience has paid off. It looks like we might have a good crop this season after all, as we had good plant growth but no tomatoes to speak of.  Now if those rascally squirrels will only behave…

 

The Canada goose is common but stately

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They hold their head high, walk slowly, and you can see them just about everywhere. These large birds flock in very high numbers, and are known to make large poopy messes on the paved areas they walk across.

Next to the drainage pond near a large grocery store

He spotted me!

This goose and his buddies were lounging next to the pond. When he got up and walked away he turned, stretched his neck and gave me the stink eye for bothering their rest. Glad he didn’t rush me! They can be mean…

 

The Forsythe Covered Bridge, aka Forsythe Mill Bridge

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We found yet another one of those magnificent 1880’s covered bridges, this one again in Rush County, Indiana. The Forsythe Bridge, also known as the Forsythe Mill Bridge spans Big Flatrock River in the southeast corner of the county. This bridge was built by E. L. Kennedy bridge building company. Emmet Kennedy was one of the sons of Archibald M Kennedy, premier bridge builder from Rush County.

The Forsythe Bridge over Big Flatrock River

A long view of the Burr- Arch truss system

A look outside over the river below

 

 

 

 

 

We spotted Maj shooting the video of the river and the bridge

This bridge is 196 feet long, as noted designed with the typical Burr-Arch truss system. This bridge was one of six bridges that all were registered on the US National Registry of Historic Places. All six of the bridges were constructed by the Kennedy family, and were registered at the same time in 1983.

 

The Homer Covered Bridge saga

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Yes, this marvelous covered bridge has what can be described as a life history of epic proportions. Here’s the Reader’s Digest version: Built in 1881 over Mud Creek in Rush County Indiana. Floated away during the flood of 1892, ended up downstream in a field. Farm owner turned the bridge into a barn. Barn started falling apart over the years. Local Pioneer Engineers (antique farm machinery club) dismantle bridge/barn and rebuild it on their grounds as a pedestrian bridge in 2009. Bridge saved!

Used as a barn in 2008, photo courtesy Bridgehunter.com

Rebuilt on new location at Caldwell Pioneer Acres

 

 

 

 

 

 

This bridge, originally built by A.M. Kennedy and Sons is constructed with Multiple King trusses. These are not the more common Burr Arch trusses used by Kennedy. Surprisingly, the lumber in the trusses was still in excellent condition after time and floods. Only the foundation lumber needed total replacement, along with siding and roofing.

Good view of the Multiple King trusses. Note the diagonals notched into verticals

Reproduced name and date on the reconstructed bridge

” For Machinists, Steam and Pump Fitters Work. Go To W.H. Moffett & Co.”

The advertisement sign above had made it through the years and was noticed when the bridge timbers were salvaged at the farm where the 1892 flood had placed the bridge. It survived all those decades. Now the sign, as well as the bridge itself, continue to provide a nostalgic look back into Indiana history.

 

Different things we saw today

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Sometimes you never know what you are going to find when you’re out and about. Here’s some stuff we saw today while we were out looking for bridges and other history.

Creepy tree, best presented in B&W

Mud daubers and paper wasp nests

Two different paper wasp nests

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some wasps make their nests out of mud, thus the name. Others make very light nests with paper like material, again thus the name. At least that’s what we called them.

Crawdad house entrance

The crawdad builds a tower like structure with the material it excavates to make its home. These towers can get to be about a foot tall sometimes. Ok, this small lobster like critter gets its name depending on where in the country you happen to be. In the Midwest we call them crawdads. From Louisiana? You’ll no doubt call them crawfish. You’ll call ’em crayfish if you’re up North. They are all the same critter. Yes, you can eat them, but cook them well first. Don’t ask why…

 

We have changed a bit

/ Roadtirementvintage / 49 Comments
Those who have followed us for awhile know that we moved from a big 4 bedroom home with a built in pool to an RV adventure. We had joked as our 5 kids were growing up that we were going to get an RV and park at each of their homes, then when they got tired of us they could pay for our gas to the next one’s home. We have kids that live in Indiana, Ohio, Washington state, and Texas.

 

We decided when our youngest finished college that we really wanted to do it. The kids were all busy with their own lives and we could travel and stop in to visit them all at the same time. We didn’t really let them pay for our gas.

 

Then we realized we should really have a small house as a base home. So we now have a very small house with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. It is quite a change from the big house we were used to, but then we are gone a lot. Our youngest son isn’t married so he lives in the house and takes care of things while we travel.

 

Then Covid hit and we were stuck. Fortunately we were able to get back to home base just in the nick of time and stocked up with supplies. Like everyone we were shocked at how long it lasted and how bad it was. But, we were safe. Now 2 years later and 2 years older, it is harder for us to travel in the RV cross country like we had been. We still use the RV, but for shorter trips and it is great when we set up at a flea market. We now fly when we go to Seattle or Austin.

 

We still travel but our interests have changed a little. We like visiting vineyards and winetasting. We’ve gotten interested in old churches and their history. Maj has always been a history buff, so we’ve taken up visiting historical sites.

 

Our website has changed a bit to compensate for the changes we’re making. Rather then listing all the things we do in each state we are focusing more on the things that interest us today. Oh, and I shouldn’t forget birds! We have taken up bird watching.

 

I think you will still enjoy following us as we take shorter RV trips, fly out of state and have more personal and fun stories.

The historic 1850’s Big Flatrock Christian Church

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The website of the Big Flatrock Christian Church gives an informative insight into the history of this still vibrant rural Rush County Indiana church. One preacher, Knowles Shaw, gave his first sermon as a charter member of this congregation. Shaw was also an author, singer and evangelist. He was a very prolific writer of hymns, penning over 110, including the beloved and well known “Bringing in the Sheaves”.

Plaque honoring Knowles Shaw

One of many stained glass windows

The original church edifice was built in 1852, with a major renovation occurring in 1921. The church is “just over the hill” from a beautiful covered bridge constructed in  1888 by the E.L. Kennedy Company. Lots of history in this corner of Rush County , Indiana in the heart of Hoosier farmland.

The 1886 Moscow Bridge rebuilt in 2010

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In June of 2008 an F3 tornado ripped through the small town of Moscow in Rush County, Indiana. Tragically one life was lost, several homes were destroyed and the 1886 Kennedy covered bridge was ravaged and tossed into the river below. Through the heroic effort of the community, businesses and others, a reconstruction project was begun. Original pieces of the bridge were salvaged. With the balance of new materials, a faithful reproduction of the original E L Kennedy double-span Burr-Arch bridge was rebuilt by the Don Collom and Sons company from Bridgeton, Indiana. It was dedicated in September, 2010.


 

 


The Moscow Covered Bridge remains the heart and soul of not only the town, but a valuable part of the history of Rush County as well.