CLIFTY FALLS STATE PARK AND MADISON, INDIANA

Forty-six miles northeast of Louisville, Kentucky is Clifty Falls State Park.  Clifty Creek Canyon stretches from north to south through the park.




Two creeks run through the park, Clifty Creek and the Little Clifty Creek.  The last time we visited the park some of the hikes were disappointing as there were now boardwalks instead of hiking paths. Some of the boardwalks did not allow the close-up views of the canyon. But, some provided safety for the hiker while giving a beautiful view of the canyon below.  




A great day trip from Clifty Falls State Park is the town of Madison, Indiana, also located on the Ohio River.  

Jefferson County Courthouse, Madison, Indiana

Open for tours, the Greek Revival Lanier Mansion and Gardens are located on the Ohio River. The next best thing to living on the ocean is living on a river.  

The gardens with the Ohio River and Kentucky on the opposite side of the river. 

Built by Irish laborers, the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad was built in 1835.  At that time the population and size of Madison was greater than the capitol of Indiana, Indianapolis.  




The Federal Style architecture of the Schofield House, once known as the Lanier-Schofield House is a striking contrast to the Lanier Mansion. Serving as the first two story home and tavern, the house welcomed travelers on land and on the Ohio River.  


On January 13, 1818, in a large room on the second floor of the house, the Grand Lodge of the Indiana Free Masons was organized.  It has been said that the large room was originally intended for guests as they traveled through Madison. 





Considering my love of fiber and spinning yarn, I just had to add this photo of the kitchen where the Great Wheel sometimes known as a Walking Wheel was kept in order that the spinner would be by the fireplace for warmth as she spun her wool into yarn.  



Take a walk down Main Street and enjoy the diverse architectural styles.  





The Classic Revival Style of the Charles Strewsbury house added to the diversity architectural styles in Madison.  My favorite part of this house is the grand circular stairway. 

The beauty of this house was on the inside rather than the, what I consider the stark exterior.  







Humm, isn't that just what we desire to find in people we meet? 

A major stop on the Underground Railroad, many homes in Madison served as a haven and resting place for slaves as they worked their way further north and to freedom and safety. 

From main street in Madison, you can access the cross streets to lovely historic homes and shopping.  In many of these old buildings and  homes converted to shops, you will be able to access more history and architecture of Madison.   

TURKEY RUN STATE PARK

This state park, close to Interstate 70, seems fitting for the week of Thanksgiving, doesn't it?  I wonder if it was named for turkeys running from hunters.  Just kidding.

Hiking at Turkey Run takes you on many adventures.  If you walk through some of the parks ravines of sandstone dating back to what scientists believe to be 300 to 600 million years.

There are eleven miles of hiking trails in Turkey Run with one taking you over this suspended bridge.  Prepare yourself as nature will show you its glory.    



As at Brown County State Park, get your canoes and kayaks and explore the waterways within the state park and beyond the park's borders.  

Sunset Point is the location of the Lieber cabin, built in 1848 with native Indiana Tulip trees. The cabin was moved to the park in 1918 by Richard Lieber, the German-American known as the father of Indiana's state parks.  His ashes are buried at Turkey Run. 

Lieber encouraged charging admission to the state parks saying that by charging admission the visitors would hold the parks at higher value.


Another structure within the state park is the Salmon Lusk home and mill site.   



Lusk and his family cut the stone for the foundation of the home, made all the bricks by hand, dug a coal mine for fuel to heat and built a gristmill with a horizontal water wheel.  

A community sprang  up around the Lusk home, remaining until in 1847, a Sugar Creek flooded and washed the community away leaving only the brick dwelling intact. 

In 1916 using funds donated by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Lusk home and property were purchased and Incorporated into Turkey Run State Park.

Another covered bridge is located in one more Indiana state park.  

Thanks for taking the tour of Turkey Run with me. Hopefully, one of these days, we will meet at the campground.  Until then....

Be safe out there on the roads today and God Bless.  

TRAVELER'S DELIGHT - BROWN COUNTY STATE PARK

Just over an hour south of Indianapolis is Brown County State Park sometimes known as the "Little Smokies." 
Now, compared to the Smokey Mountains, Brown County is a smaller, beautiful state park filled with activities for each reader. 

The park is the largest state park in Indiana with 15,696 acres to explore on bicycle, horseback or by hiking trails. 


The west entrance to the park is the park to be used by those with motorhomes, fifth wheels and trailers.




The east entrance has a covered bridge that has low clearance as well as a weight limit. 







The first landmark beyond the entrance will be an enjoyable location that enables great vistas, the West Lookout.  






Leaving the West Lookout, continuing into the heart of the park, you will come to intersections.  Just turn right.  Follow the well marked signs to the campgrounds.  


Our only complaint with the campgrounds is the parking spots are closer together than we would like in Buffalo Ridge.  If you continue past that smaller campground and follow the road, you will be in a more wooded campground sporting larger sites.  The drawback?  If you have a larger rig, I would recommend that you use the park map and make reservations for the site that fits your needs. 

A plus is there is a paved section entirely for disabled / handicapped.  It is in this area that in the summer of 2012 that we met the child, Amanda, who just had her last chemotherapy for brain cancer.



This is the latest photo, taken from her Caring Bridge site.

She is healthy, happy and growing.  She is also thankful for the readers of this blog that have prayed for her complete recovery.   

Amanda is a straight A student, participating in many activities.  

Back to Brown County State Park.  There is a four mile loop throughout the park as well as being able to ride on the road and even ride into Nashville, where you can shop till you drop.  

There are twelve miles of hiking trails with some starting from the campgrounds.  

The shortest trail, a half mile loop starting at the nature center is the first trail John walked after being released from the hospital.  What a happy day that was.  












The Fire Tower is another place to visit.  Do you feel like climbing? Add that to your hikes to have a great workout!





The seventy mile equine trail takes you through parts of the park that is only found on horseback.  You can find the perfect horse that meets your needs at the stately Saddle Barn.  







Brown County is a mecca for artists.  Bring you sketch book, oils, water colors and even your camera to capture outstanding views.  

Hesitation Point is just one of the terrific views that are calling for artists to capture.

When you are ready for some open air after being in the City of Indianapolis, hook up and move south to the Brown County State Park, our favorite state park in our home state of Indiana!   

Thanks for joining me today.  I sure hope it is warmer where you are!   It is thirty-three degrees, falling to twenty-six tonight.  

Your comments are a delight!  

What am I thankful for?  Each and every one of you.  

BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA!

The title of today's blog is also a song that is sung each year at the Indianapolis 500.  It us usually sung by Indiana natives, Florence Henderson, Jim Neighbors and others.  

I was happy to be back home with my girls and grands.  I started to choke up about four blocks from Holly's home. John could not drive the motorhome fast enough through the busy Indianapolis streets to suit me.  

My plan was to surprise Holly, Lucy and Ross.  The house was dark. The surprise was on me.  The kiddo's gymnastic classes are now on Wednesday nights instead of last year's Monday nights.  

The "surprises" for our firstborn, Karen on Thursday since it was her birthday.  Now, that surprise did work out.  She was totally surprised and her mom had wet cheeks, once again.  A year is a long time not to see one's children.  I have no idea how we ever went so long without seeing Jojo.  

Karen is assistant director of an inner city center for the homeless and anyone who needs emotional, spiritual, economic help for their families.  

For the children in the area Karen is using her artistic abilities to run a very successful program called Art in the City.  She teaches the students all forms of art.  Many of her lessons are based on the works of famous artists.   The photos speak for themselves.  
  

An example of Karen's talent.

The rest you will see is the student's art works in various stages of completion.

A student's work in progress

Faces

"Angry Birds" ready to be fired in one of the kilns.

MONSTERS!

Students learn that they can create art from anything, even cardboard!

This is a project, again based on a famous artist's work. It was made from recycled plastic bottles that were, cut in spirals, painted then  hot glued together

When our visit was over, we went into Indianapolis and Stout's shoe store to try to find hiking shoes for this winter. Stouts is touted to be the oldest shoe store in the United States. Stouts opened their doors in 1886 and survived two world wars and the Great Depression. I remember shopping there with my grandmother as well as my parents. 


    





When I visited I would always visit with the store mascot, a Parrot.  Today, Ripley, a Macaw is the star of the show. 

When a pair of shoes is selected, the salesperson loads the box with the shoes into a basket and sends it to the balcony where the cashier finalizes the sale, wraps the box in brown paper, like a gift and sends the purchase zipping from the balcony back down to the sales person. 

 Next on our route was to finally see Holly, Lucy and Ross.  It was a very quick visit as they were on their way to get hair cuts.  

Last on our list was to stop at our granddaughter's home to see Megan and Harper.  Adam was at work, so we missed him.  

When we left for the southwest in December, Harper was an almost two year old that chose not to talk.  Let me tell you, this little one has found her voice and uses it every minute she is awake.  And not one word at a time either.  She carries on in full sentences.  

What a fun day Thursday was!  Wow, we were tired puppies Thursday evening. 

Friday started another whirl wind day.  We drove to Indiana's first capitol, Corydon, in southern Indiana, not far from the Ohio River.  We wanted to visit with our fiber friends who were at the Southern Indiana Fiber Festival, and felt we catch up with many friends in one day trip.  

It was wonderful seeing so many of our friends and to hear them tell John how great he looks.  I am sure that John was greatly encouraged by all the comments.  

Of course, I could not leave empty handed.  I am now the proud owner of a Tapestry Loom.  The history of this loom goes back to ancient Egypt and to the Native Americans right here in the desert southwest.   It is a smaller loom.  I will be able to weave tapestries up to two feet long.   

Yesterday, Saturday, was shopping day.  There is an International Market nearby and we were able to stock up on many Thai, Mexican, Chinese, fruits and vegetables that we have not had access to since we left California.  

Afterwards, we finished our shopping at Wally World and found that items that we did not purchase due to the "high" prices were lower than Wal Mart's.  Lesson learned for the time we are here.  

Today, we go to Megan and Adam's to play with Harper and to watch the Colts / Denver Bronco's game.  Peyton Manning was a joy to have as quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and we were so sorry to see him go.  Tonight we will be rooting for the Colts and Peyton. We just do not want the Broncos to win.  

Till next time....God Bless you all and be safe in your travels.