travel

Parke County, Indiana, Covered Bridge Capital of the World

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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’s Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum

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The address is Hagerstown, Indiana, but the Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum is out in the middle of Hoosier farmland. This fascinating museum has two different focuses: Wilbur’s birthplace and living conditions of the mid 1860’s and the success of Wilbur and Orville’s history making powered human flight at Kitty Hawk North Carolina in 1903.

Yes, that is the Wright Flyer in the background

The flight museum and other Wright Brothers artifacts are housed in a separate building next to the family home and the visitor center. The exciting focus of this is the full life size and historically accurate reproduction of the original “Wright Flyer”.

Floor level view of the Wright Flyer

Wright Flyer Specification Drawing

This construction of  the Wright Flyer was completed after referencing the original specifications drawings from the Smithsonian.  The plane and other displays are in a lower level providing a striking view as you stand on the landing at the top of a short flight of stairs.

Kitty Hawk Camp work shop and living quarters (note the cots pulled up in the rafters)

Kitchen in the shop/living quarters

In addition to the plane itself, this lower level display also includes a representation of the Brother’s Kitty Hawk Camp. Here is their work and living quarters while at the site of the flight tests. The building had work shop areas, kitchen facilities and sleeping cots that are pulled up during the day.

Also included is a display of 1900s storefronts, including the Brothers bicycle shop. We have been to the Kitty Hawk Park and Memorial, where there is a metal reproduction of the Flyer, Orville and Wilbur and other support folks. Seeing the repro plane at this museum was a thrill, as it is of the original materials.

It is remarkable that a mere 66 years after Wilbur and Orville’s first flight man was walking on the moon. Take a trip to the Wilbur Wright  Birthplace Museum. You’ll be amazed at the quality and quantity of the displays.

White’s Flea Market

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White’s farm is located in Brookville, Indiana. Every Wednesday they have a flea market.

Entrance sign

They are open every Wednesday, year-round, from daylight until noon. They have indoor and outside booths. We like setting up our treasure finds there. One of our retirement adventures is going to yard sales and auctions. We also have an eBay store.

One vendor’s tables

This trailer turns into their sales spot

$3 treats of all kinds

White’s is a nice, friendly place. The flea market opens at daybreak. We try to arrive around 5AM, that gives us time to set up and grab coffee. They have breakfast reasonably priced if you’re hungry.

Rent a barn and set up each week

Large field, only $15 for a 20×24’ space

Snapping turtle head on a walking staff. (You never know what you’re gonna find at White’s)

At this market you’ll find things you need as well as items to simply enjoy–antiques, new items, crafts, used merchandise, and fresh produce. Parking is free of charge and no charge to enter. Click here for White’s Website.

Indiana Audubon Society’s Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary

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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

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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!

An often overlooked monument to Indiana history

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One very busy intersection in Indianapolis is where Southeastern Avenue angles into East Washington Street just east of the I-70  overpass. Chances are good that you’ve never noticed the tall limestone obelisk on a concrete deck next to the sidewalk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The obelisk was installed in 1916 to recognize the 100 year anniversary of the State of Indiana’s admission into the Union. This project was taken on and executed by the Cornelius Cole Fairbanks Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.  This Chapter organized in 1907, and remains active today. This is the Chapter’s website.

The Garage, Indy’s unique Food Hall

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The Bottleworks District of Indianapolis is a vibrant area in close proximity to the intersection of I-70 and I-65, once known as the “spaghetti bowl”. Bounded by N. College Ave, 10th Street, Bellefontaine St, and Massachusetts Avenue, this is the home of The Garage Food Hall.

Comfy patio, great for socializing

Beautiful 30’s era architecture

Intimate outside seating

 

 

 

 

 

The Garage Food Hall is a 30,000 square foot food and market hall that occupies two of the historic Coca-Cola bottling plant’s original garage buildings. The Art Deco terracotta facades faithfully protect the 1930s industrial architecture facades. Large roll-up doors allow for a seamless indoor and outdoor experience.

Authentic “British” Fish & Chips

Hard Truth Distillery

Mouth watering Asian Hibachi Grilled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Garage  hosts a variety of food and beverage vendors each bringing top culinary creative chefs and drink creators together in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Distilleries, breweries and wineries are represented. Menus from around the world also serve hungry visitors with about any type of cuisine you can think of.

Traditional Mexican cuisine with Asian-fusion taqueria

Gaucho’s Fire: The best of Brazil’s street food

 

 

 

 

 

Per visitindy.com: “Axle’s is the spot for a cold one after work”

In addition to the many food and drink vendors at this unique and historic facility, there are retail and service businesses included in the roster of establishments.  Specialty gifts, clothing, spa services and a full service barber and beauty shop are among the non food vendor offerings.

Fun picture at the electric bicycle shop

Parking is absolutely hassle free at The Garage. Lot 4, adjacent to the building. Open Monday – Friday from 9AM -5 PM parking is only $2.00. Weekdays 11 AM – 3 PM First hour is Free. More details at The Garage website here.

Broadway’s “Waitress” brings something sweet, with a touch of spice, to Beef & Boards

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Served up for the first time on its stage starting July 17, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents Waitress, the Broadway hit featuring the music of Sara Bareilles. Nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Waitress celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

Keirsten Hodgens as Jenna

Waitress was inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s film and features the music of six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles. B & Bs’ production is fortunate to have Stephanie Torns as choreographer and director. She performed in the original Broadway cast of Waitress and brings that experience and skill to this stage.

Waitress is on stage for 48 performances through Aug. 31. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. To buy tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664. Waitress is rated PG-13 for mature content including adult language, violence, and adult themes.

The AMP is in the old Indy Water Company service bay, now part of 16 TECH

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“The AMP is focused on uplifting everyone in the Indianapolis culinary/retail community by featuring a diverse array of concepts from emerging businesses to established concepts and an approachable leasing structure designed to allow entrepreneurs a place to start out and scale up.” Quoted from The AMP website

Food service in a shipping container

The Black Orchid Barbers

 

 

 

 

 

The AMP is located in the HQO center of the 16 TECH on Indiana Avenue on the near west side. Offering a very wide variety of food establishments, you’ll find just about any type of eats and drinks there. Each eatery or retail establishment is housed in its own colorful customized shipping container.

Multiple eateries

Ice Cream Nachos w/ waffle cone chips

 

 

 

 

 

A most exotic offering: Irish Sea Moss from Jamaica showcases diversity.

Even though it is located within the 16 TECH complex, AMP stands on its own as a local hotspot for diversity, events and culture in Indianapolis. Featuring food stalls, an open-air bar, communal seating and ample community gathering and event space, it can host events with up to 1100 persons.

This man loves his work

Fabulously delicious hand made treats

 

 

 

 

 

Deli goods galore, note shipping container

There are 20+ vendors scattered around the food service shipping containers. There is also varied seating, including outdoor seating area, and the inside open seating wine bar. Food types cover a wide range of offerings, including some exotic items. We had eaten before we went, but plan to return sometime for a full meal. The comfortable seating includes tables large enough to hold your meal and your laptop. Our son commented that the overall ambiance reminded him of a university environment.

Mt. Rainier, a defining symbol of the Pacific Northwest

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It is sixty miles from Seattle, closer yet to Tacoma and is the prominent feature on the horizon of this part of the State of Washington. Mount Rainier, also known as Tahoma, is an active volcano in the Cascade Range.

I took this pic from the highway near SeaTac Airport

Mt. Rainier is believed to have had some minor eruptions between 1820 and 1854, but these might have been merely rockslides or ash and pumice falls. Geologists think the most recent major eruption was in 1450 AD/CE.

Another view of Mt. Rainer (courtesy Alaska Airlines)

Mt. Rainier is 14,400 feet high and is is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous lower 48.  The threat of eruptions is real, and evacuation drills are in place for the immediate vicinity. The biggest threat is from lahars, volcanic mudflows that form when the glaciers melt. These volcano spawned mud slides destroy anything in their path.