Harry Evans Covered Bridge, one of 31 in Parke County Indiana

/ Roadtirementvintage / 6 Comments

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

/ Roadtirementvintage / 5 Comments

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`

/ Roadtirementvintage / 3 Comments

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

/ Roadtirementvintage / 5 Comments

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.

He-Man and Masters of the Universe showing in theaters now

/ Roadtirementvintage / 4 Comments

I saw a trailer on TV for a new movie, Masters of the Universe featuring He-Man. I immediately decided that I wanted to see this film.  My son noticed an ad for $5 movie tickets on Tuesday.  Yes. I said, of course I want to go see He-Man. In 1982 the Masters of the Universe franchise was first introduced by Mattel as an action figure toy line. Since then there have been successful tv animated series and a 1987 live action film.

Theatrical release poster, courtesy MGM

Masters of the Universe is now showing in theaters with a fresh new story. It is a complete live-action film that gives  the legend of He-Man. If you know some  of the players in this genre you will be pleased with the portrayals of He-Man, Skeletor, Man-At-Arms and Cringer, aka Battle Cat and others. The scene when Prince Adam first wields the Sword of Power brought back memories of our kids watching the tv series and playing with the action figures.

Castle GraySkull (screen shot)

Prince Adam as a young boy (screen shot)

 

 

 

 

 

The story line bounces back and forth between Eternia and Earth, allowing for good character development and plot explanations. It traces the life of Prince Adam/He-Man from a child to his true persona. The action scenes are filled with intense air battles with the wild bizarre aircraft. The land battles are exciting with conventional swordplay as well as sorcery.

Cinema 10, currently showing He-Man

Tuesday movie bargain priced

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directed by Travis Knight and starring Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He-Man, the film combines references from multiple versions of the franchise. The story follows Adam discovering his home realm of Eternia destroyed and under Skeletor’s rule. Castle Grayskull is Skeletor’s  target and the center of the plot line.

Both of us really enjoyed the two hours of He-Man fun. For me it was a nostalgic event, as I remembered our boys playing with the action figures and watching the cartoons. It is not a movie for everyone, but if you like a good sci-fic action adventure or have memories of He-Man, give it a try.

 

 

Nashville’s Fudge Kitchen is a sweet shop

/ Roadtirementvintage / 3 Comments

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

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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

/ Roadtirementvintage / 7 Comments

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.

Rushville’s Fish Moon Brewing Company

/ Roadtirementvintage / 3 Comments

During our travels around Indiana we had seen the exterior of the Fish Moon Brewing Company in downtown Rushville, Indiana. Seems like we just never had time to stop and check it out. After lunch this Saturday we headed to Fish Moon brewpub to see what we have been missing.

We’re ready to go in

The welcoming bar

 

 

 

 

 

We got to the establishment at 2. There were a few tables with patrons and a couple at the bar. Our server explained the beers that they had on tap, prices and the flights they offered. Sher ordered a glass of Strawberry Blonde  I decided to try the Small Town Ale. Both brews were ok, excited to try something else on our next visit.

Cold ones on tap!

On site brewing means fresh beer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The food menu is quite extensive. It features great brewpub food, The list of sandwiches is long, includes all your favorites with trimmings. Salads and lots of sides round out the menu, all of which are available for carryout.

Decor that is appropriate for the theme

Fun map, entertainment stage in front

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The brewpub decor is most intriguing. The building once housed a large small town 2 story furniture store. The building was refurbished in 2019. Several large screen TV’s are scattered around the restaurant and bar area. Brewing vats are in clear sight at the back of the building. We plan on returning both for a meal but also to enjoy live music or live comedy.