Happy 250th Birthday, July 4th 2026
photography
Indiana fireworks laws and retail sales regulations
The State of Indiana is known for rather liberal fireworks laws when it comes to the everyday consumer. That is, of course, if you are talking about fireworks designated 1.4G class. These include wire/bamboo sparklers, bottle rockets, aerial spinners, firecrackers, Roman candles, fountains, and multi-shot aerial cakes. You must be at least 18 years old to legally purchase consumer fireworks.
A typical fireworks sales tent in a parking lot
Retail sales locations require Licensing from the Indiana DHS State Fire Marshall’s office. License fees aren’t cheap. The first location fee is $1,000 for the first permanent building location or the first tent location. Additional locations are $200 for additional permanent structure and $500 for each additional tent.
Setting up the fireworks retail sales tables
Back in Pre-COVID Indiana starting in May fireworks retail outlets sprung up nearly everywhere that had a vacant space in strip-malls, empty buildings or Walmart parking lots. After COVID and due to current strains on the economy the rush to open retail fireworks outlets has cut back to the weekend before July 4th. My son and I were out shopping today and noticed somewhat of a rush of three or four retail fireworks “stores” setting up. Oh, and if you set off fireworks at your house, please be careful!
Harry Evans Covered Bridge, one of 31 in Parke County Indiana
Parke County, Indiana is known as the covered bridge capitol of the world. It is home to 31 covered bridges which is more than any other county in the nation. Every October over two million visitors converge on Parke County for the world famous 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.
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.
We enjoy road trips to Parke County several times each year. The crowds are huge with heavy traffic during the festival, so we avoid Parke County then. There are five different well marked self driving routes that will take you directly to nearly all of the 31 bridges. The county is also home to two Indiana State Parks and the 2,110 acre Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area. Go enjoy Indiana outdoors in Parke County!
Renaissance Faire in Central Indiana
This weekend was the first of two weekends when several acres of the Johnson County Park, Nineveh, Indiana transformed into a setting right out of Renaissance Europe. Scores of tents, wagons and other structures have sprung up on the grassy fields.
Some of the vendor tents
The Indiana Renaissance Faire is one of several similar events during the year. With the same basic theme, vendors and entertainers from all over come to peddle their wares and entertain the crowds of all ages that enjoy these Faires.
Vendor “wagon” plus tent
Watch out for the pirates (but buy their mead)
Anything and everything you would need to dress in period costume is available at the vendor displays in the tents. Musical instruments, belts, bags, tunics, even correct footware.
Every faire needs a dragon
Yes that is a real sword shop.
And speaking of costumes, it seemed like more than half of the people in attendance were is some kind of costuming. We saw elves, wizards, fairies, warlocks, pirates, knights, tradesmen and many others.
Knight at the ready
Lance ready for the joust
Entertainment was everywhere. We got there in time to catch the 12 noon Jousting demonstration. Two knights in armor on horse back showed their skill in the use of the long joust. Foot soldiers in support of the knights demonstrated small arm weaponry.
Holding RedTail Hawk
Two birds waiting their turn
Another unique and fascinating offering presentation was by a chap who brought hawks and falcons to show and explain. A most fascinating demonstration.
The Renaissance Faire will be open next weekend, June 20 – 21st for two more days of revelry, music, food and fun. Huzzah!
Chief Tecumseh “Trail of Whispering Giants” statue at Vincennes Indiana`
Sher and I always enjoyed discovering interesting attractions when we were travelling. We found this striking likeness of the famous Chief Tecumseh near the Wabash River levee in Vincennes, Indiana. The statue is the creation of Peter “Wolf” Toth, a Hungarian artist, and is his most recent addition (the 74th) to his “The Trail of Whispering Giants” series of statues scattered across the country.
Chief Tecumseh, Wabash River levee in background
The history of the Chief
Signage and Tecumseh
Toth’s first monumental “Whispering Giant” was completed in 1972. He now has statues in all 50 states. His only tools were a hammer and chisel, with rare use of an ax and a mallet. Each statue is made using a native log from each state. Toth always meets with local Native American tribes and local lawmakers prior to beginning his work. While on your road trips keep an eye out for the magnificent “Trail of the Whispering Giants”.
Bali Makasih Bali Island Imports in Nashville Indiana
Nashville, Indiana is known for restaurants, wineries, breweries and of course shopping. One of the popular shops is the Bali imports shop. This business is American-Bali owned and features original hand crafted items imported from Bali, Indonesia.
Shop entrance, handicap accessible
Wonderful variety of inventory
First meditating frog I have ever seen
Literally all kinds of inventory, any size any price
There are thousands of items in the shop. Here is a quote from the Bali website that explains the inventory: “Bali Makasih features over 45,000 beautiful pieces of wood carvings, silver jewelery, clothing, wall decorations, statues, mosaic arts, incenses, essential oil, traditional instruments, Tiki and Totem, Sign, Decorative surfboard, Blowing glass, Mask and many more. Everything originally handmade, one of a kind, unique and straight from Bali, Indonesia.”
Pouch with ground coffee, take a sniff between samples of incense
Shopping Nashville is a true never the same adventure.
This shop is one that we always visit whenever we are in town. Restocking our incense supply is always on our shopping list at Bali. The incense inventory is quite large and has, it seems, any type of incense you can think of. We are taken care of by one of the owners. She is very helpful while we decide what incense to get on this trip. She showed me the coffee pouch trick to clear your nose between samples.
A picture that makes you look
Occasionally Nature will give you a view that, well, looks like something other than what it is.
Imagine seeing this “tree” coming out of a field on a gray foggy night. This thing has an otherworldly flavor and I’d no doubt run if I saw it coming.
Nashville’s Fudge Kitchen is a sweet shop
Nashville, Indiana is a small town in southern Indiana know locally as a popular tourist destination. The town is filled with many shops offering a wide variety of merchandise. One of the favorite stores in the downtown is the Nashville Fudge Kitchen.
The front of the fudge shop
Free samples are offered at this counter
We always put a stop at the Fudge Kitchen on our schedule when we visit Nashville. In addition to fudge the store also makes all flavors of gourmet popcorn and kettle corn. Samples of both popcorn and fudge are gladly offered to all customers.
A wide variety of popcorn sizes and flavors
Another counter filled with scrumptious fudge
Nashville is one of our favorite day trip destinations. Not only are there many stores and restaurants in town, but there is also an entertainment venue, Brown County Music Center. We have attended several concerts and events at the Music Center. Take a trip to Nashville and you’ll see what all the talk is about.
Woven Co Candles for a fun DIY project
Sometimes a simple adventure is as enjoyable as a intricately planned and complicated multi faceted one. A couple of weeks ago one of our sons and one granddaughter came over on a day trip. Sher and I found a simple adventure for us all in a nearby town.
On the front porch of Woven Candle Co
Our three creations
The Woven Co Candles is located in downtown Franklin, Indiana in an older two story house. We saw the listing for Do-it-yourself candle making. It sounded like fun so we headed to Franklin. The store has several tables for candle making. One wall is covered with shelves full of different liquid scents.
Finished candle ready for a light.
Metallic “sprinkles” reflect the candle flame for a neat effect
The process is interesting. You pick out the jar you want. Each of those are already set with a wick in the center of the jar. When you decide what scents you want they are poured into the bottom of the jar. Hot wax is then poured onto the scents, and stirred until it turns cloudy. After a couple of hours your candle is ready to take home. We had a great time and would recommend a DIY candle creation at Wove Co Candles.
Hand carved Indiana limestone monument for young apprentice carver
Indiana is famous for the quantity and quality of quarried limestone that has been used for edifices around the country and the world. Lawrence County, Indiana was home for many quarries but also many incredibly talented stone carvers. One example of this craftsmanship is a stone monument made for the grave of a young apprentice carver in Green Hill Cemetery in Bedford.
Yes, that is limestone lettering
The workbench as Baker left it
Louis Jackson Baker (1894 – 1917) was an apprentice stone carver. He fell to typhoid fever at the age of 23 years. Stone companies of the day gave employees stone for cemetery markers. Baker’s fellow stone workers created a stunning monument that made a limestone recreation of his work bench, complete with all the tools as he left them when he went home for the last time.
Incredible details of the tools
Side view of the work bench
The Green Hill Cemetery has scores of beautifully carved monuments. If you enjoy walking cemeteries, this one is one of the best in Southern Indiana.
Baker’s work bench monument is well known and worth an up close and personal visit.
