The general store in Billie Creek Village was a treat to visit. The manager was so nice, letting us take our time looking at the interesting items, and taking pictures.
Inside the General Store
Photos
Parke County, Indiana, Covered Bridge Capital of the World
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.
Indiana Audubon Society’s Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary
We had been out picking up some items we had bought at an online auction last Saturday. Sher had already checked for “Things to do in Connersville” and an interesting bird watching place popped up. So after we picked up the items from the auction we had a 25 minute drive through farmland. The auction was north of town, and the birding place was south. It seemed like our destination was truly out in the middle of nowhere.
Easy to spot entrance
The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is located south of Connersville in Fayette County, Indiana. Alice Green Gray gave the initial 264 acre property to the Indiana Audubon Society in 1943 as a living memorial to her daughter Mary, who preceded her in death. Another Gray relative and Society members have made possible the acquisition of more property so that the Sanctuary now has 723 acres.
The road into the sanctuary grounds is a fairly long drive which immediately puts you in the middle of a semi dense woods. It truly allows you to prepare for atonement with Nature.
It was extremely hot that day. In fact an official weather service Heat Advisory was in effect. It became apparent as soon as we got out of the car that it was going to be a very unpleasant day to successfully do any birdwatching. In addition to the heat, a plethora of insects was present and quite annoying buzzing around.
Bench seating at the amphitheater
We will definitely return when the conditions are much more conducive to for a comfortable and safe bird watching adventure. There are many features within this sanctuary. There is a bird watching blind where you can observe the many stocked feeders and not be seen. Ponds and native trees provide a perfect chance to immerse yourself in communing with Earth. Click here for the MGBS website.
Sixty foot tall mural of Pacers Reggie Miller
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!
Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July
Remember the Reason for the Celebration
Make it a safe and happy day however you enjoy the 4th.
Penn and Teller’s Las Vegas show at the Rio
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.
Edmonds Washington Salish Sea Brewery and Taproom
After our ferry ride from Kingston to Edmonds, Washington we wanted to grab a bite to eat. After a short ride around the streets of the coast town, we spotted a busy and interesting establishment, The Salish Sea Brewery & Taproom.
We were very pleased with the ambiance of this pub. The service was quick and responsive. The menu was filled with selections that would satisfy any craving. We all enjoyed our meals, and it is easy for us to recommend this establishment for dining and drinking in Edmonds.
House Specialty “Driftwood Bread Sticks”
Fish and Chips
Soup and sandwich
Edmonds is about 15 miles north of Seattle with a waterfront that faces west across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains. Whether you arrive by ferry or by car, this Seattle suburb is worth a visit.
Washington State Ferry between Kingston and Edmonds
The Washington State Ferry System operates across the Puget Sound and the Salish Sea using 20 different terminals. These terminals are ports for the largest ferry system in the United States. Some of the ferries take vehicles, some are for foot travel only.
Waiting in line to get to the terminal
Ferry is approaching the dock, back left
During our recent road trip with family we traveled extensively on the Olympia Peninsula in the western part of the state. We reached the port of Kingston and prepared to take one of the vehicle ferries on a 30 minute trip across Puget Sound to the port of Edmonds.
We were the first car to board the ferry
Lots of seating in the passenger lounge on the upper deck
We had a two hour wait to board the ferry at Kingston. It seemed like the wait on the road was not long, and we were actually first in line to board as we wanted easy elevator access to the passenger lounge.
This is the second ferry that runs the Kingston/Edmonds route
Downtown Seattle, 27 miles off, Space Needle far right
The rather short voyage was interesting. The scenery was something to see, not what landlocked Hoosiers are used to, that’s for sure. The Seattle skyline on the horizon was impressive, with the well recognized outline of the Space Needle visible 27 miles from our vantage point in the middle of Puget Sound.
Forks, Washington, home of Twilight saga books and movies
The Twilight series of books followed by 5 movies captured the attention of a multitude of fans. Twilight tells the romance/adventure/scifi story of a family of vampires, wanting to protect teenager Bella from a rival group of vampires. Oh, least I forget, there is also a tribe of Native Americans who happen to be shape shifter wolves who start out as sworn enemies of vampires.
Taking our typical tourist scene.
The Twilight books and movies were set in Forks, Washington, a small historic lumber town that claims to be the rainiest town in the contiguous United States. Even though most of the filming was done elsewhere, the town has grabbed onto the popularity and welcomes tourists.
Bell’s ’53 Chevy as described in the books
Bella’s ’63 Chevy featured in the movies
Interesting that described in the books, Bella drove a 1953 Chevrolet pickup truck. In the movies, she drove a 1963 Chevrolet truck. The movie’s original ’63 Chevy and a red ’53 Chevy are parked outside the Forks Chamber of Commerce.
Forks Chamber of Commerce
Forks has a long history in lumber business
Photos from the Movies: Left to Right, Jacob Black, (Shapeshifter wolf), Bella ( in love with Edward), Edward Cullen (vampire)
Forks is a small historic town on the Olympia Peninsula on Washington’s west Pacific coast. Since the debut of the intriguing vampire, shapeshifter wolves teen romance series of 6 books and 5 associated movies, this little town has become a mecca for Twilight fans world wide.
Guy Johnson entertained us at the Oxford Saloon in Snohomish
When Sher and I visit our family in the Seattle area, we always plan at least one trip to the Oxford Saloon in Snohomish. The Oxford (built in 1889) has quite the history, It was a brothel, a speakeasy and is documented as being haunted. Great food and good music highlight many enjoyable times we have had at the Oxford.
Guy on the Oxford stage
Roaming the crowd
The evening we went the food as usual was delicious. (See our recent write up here.) Who was playing that evening became clear when Guy Johnson came in with his guitar, gear and a colorful coat. Guy is a singer, songwriter and performer from nearby Lynwood. He treated Sher and I with our genre of music: 60’s and 70’s!
Sher and I made our own dance floor!
We had the opportunity to chat with guy between sets. He shared with us some of his history, including details about his band. He was most generous with his time speaking to us. Guy is a very talented musician and he makes that guitar sing. We had a delightful time at the Oxford with not only our family but sharing stories and music with Guy Johnson.
You can find Guy Johnson on his Facebook here.
Roadtirement 