We were on the hunt for a Geocache at a nearby park when we saw this praying mantis on an asphalt walking path. It didn’t move when I got down with the iPhone for a close up.
Photos
A neat feature at a park
This afternoon Sher and our son and I went on a ‘hunt’ for a Geocache at a nearby park. We had looked it up last night on a map, and there it was! So off we went.
Explanation of how the swale works
This Geocache was not one of those hidden boxes or log books. This one was a feature at the park. We went in search of a Water Quality Bio-Swale. Yes, a feature that is designed to collect pollutants from rain fall runoff.
That’s the swale in the background
It actually looked like an ordinary swale for rain runoff. This one had a more complex design than you normally expect. There was a thick layer of sandy soil in the low part of the swale which filtered any pollutants. A layer of gravel at the bottom surrounded a perforated drain pipe in which the storm water runs off to a nearby river.
The story of Indiana’s state tree
The swale banks were planted with trees native to Indiana. One of the park volunteers was mapping the location and species of each tree while we were on site. He informed us that there will be individual ID signs on each tree and a brochure with detailed info coming soon.
Mmm…..hand crafted chocolates
Sometimes the window of a business will make your head turn. That happened to us when we passed the Greenfield Chocolates storefront in downtown Greenfield, Indiana.
Cases filled with delicacies
The business is owned and operated by Jayne Hoadley, an award winning Chocolatier, and a designated Indiana Artisan. The shop creates hand crafted artisan chocolates, toffees, caramels and confections from the finest and freshest ingredients with no preservatives.
Shelf after shelf of deliciousness
“I’ll take one of each..”
As soon as you walk into the store you are treated with visions of delicacies everywhere you look! Prepackaged treats are displayed on shelves and racks. The cases are jam packed with beautifully decorated morsels of all types.
Where the magic creations occur
Everything is made on site in the historic building at 15 West Main Street. (It is right next to the statue of the bison we posted earlier.) Go ahead and stop in this delightful shop. You won’t walk out empty handed: we sure did not!
A nice visit to the Shale Creek Brewing
Sher and I went on a mission today to see what was up in nearby Franklin, Indiana. We had looked up a couple of brew houses and decided to try out Shale Creek Brewing. It is located in one of Franklin’s oldest building, and offers brews and great food.
Main entrance, downtown Franklin
Main bar
Once we were seated, it was time to decide what brews to get in the flight…
What an inviting list
Catelynn helped us with our flight choices
Here came the flight, really about the best reason to go to a brewery!
The food we picked was very tasty with large portions. The lettuce wedges had lots of toppings, and the breaded fried hamburger was smothered is all kinds of great stuff.
Excellent salad fare
Yes, smothered fried breaded burger
This is the life!
All in all, what a fun time we had. The food was great, the brews were fun to sample and we have found a place we’ll enjoy coming back to. We also bought a growler of Red Headed Squealer, aka Irish Red. Here’s the Shale Creek Brewing website to check out.
At Shale Creek Brewing
We’re at this brewery and restaurant in downtown Franklin, Indiana. We are enjoying a 5 sample flight while waiting for our meals to arrive. This is a great place.
This July 4th remember
“Freedom is not free”
Photos taken at Veterans Park, Greenfield, Indiana
July 4th isn’t just about cookouts and fireworks. It celebrates the beginnings of our country, and should remind us of the sacrifices that have kept our freedom intact.
Brandywine Creek Winery
Sher and I visited the Brandywine Creek Winery on our way home from a day of adventure in Greenfield, which is east of Indianapolis. We had seen Brandywine listed, but had never stopped. We are glad we did.
At the tasting bar
Without the sign out front, you’d think that the winery was a private home in Pleasant View, just off of I-74. Walking in the front door reveals a beautiful tasting bar with wine related merchandise displayed. In addition, several hand made jewelry pieces and some kids craft projects are also available.
Out front signage
The wine bar
But the wine is what’s important. The tastings are done at the wine bar, only $5 for 6 tastes. A wide variety of types of wine are ready for you. We enjoyed the tasting. and since I was driving, our hostess let us share a tasting. (I take sips, but still get a good read of the sample.) We liked what we tried, and purchased three bottles of their sweet wines.
Enjoy wine at a table overlooking the vineyard
The facility has a beautifully constructed porch/veranda out back with tables that overlook the vineyard. Brandywine has over five acres of vineyards in two locations. The first vines were planted in 2014. Check their website for details about their Event Room rental and schedule of weekend live music and Trivia events. We really enjoyed our visit.
Where the buffalo roam
This afternoon the weather was nearly perfect for outside activity. We headed for the town of Greenfield for some sightseeing and who knows what else. At one point we were walking around the downtown area and we came upon an interesting sight.
There between two bushes was the statue of a bison, sometimes erroneously referred to as a buffalo. Well, the camera had to come out for that! Especially when I saw the body of the bison behind its mane was painted in a mural.
Turns out this animal was commissioned for the Indiana Bicentennial celebration in 2016. This bison was named “Whitcomb” in honor of James Whitcomb Riley, Greenfield’s famous author. The paintings traces the history of Indiana natural history and agriculture from the Ice Age to modern times. The Bisontennial (get it?) statues were seen all over the state in different designs and colors.
Surprise find
Just walking around in the yard this morning we spotted this red flower in an area just on the edge of where we normally mow. Not sure what it is, but it is pretty.
Another “One year later” post
Taken June 20, 2020
Taken June 30, 2021
Here is another look at our backyard flower and herb garden. These two photos show the same herb plant 12 months apart. We planted this sage in early June, 2020. We did harvest and dry some of the sage last fall. The other shot was taken this afternoon. This sage has really grown a lot.
In the upper left corner of today’s photo you can get a glimpse of the chives plant. In the lower right corner you can see leaves of one of the Asiatic lilies highlighted in another post here.
Roadtirement 