U.S. - Indiana/Kentucky - August 2013

In August 2013, I took a 4-day trip through Southern Indiana and central Kentucky. During the trip, I was never more than a day's drive from my Missouri home. Despite that, and the fact that these states lack the stark. dramatic landscape of the western states, I found these states had a lot to offer. There was a lot of everything: attractive countryside, historic sights, interesting museums, and quaint towns. There was way too much to see in these states relative to the time I had, and a truly in-depth look at the area would call for weeks at least. Sites I saw during the trip included: the college town of Bloomington, IN; the country's longest historic covered bridge in Medora, IN; the beautiful Brown County State Park near Bloomington; the West Baden Resort (IN); the old Indiana state capital building in Corydon; Lincoln's boyhood home and birthplace near Hodgenville; KY; Mammoth Cave National Park (KY); and the city of Bowling Green, KY. Also I saw Angel Mounds Historic Site near Evansville, IN.

Interesting bridge architecture on the B-line trail (a multiple-use trail) running through Bloomington, Indiana, site of Indiana University.

Fire tower in Brown County State Park in south-central Indiana. The fire tower is located near Weed Patch Hill which is one of the highest elevations in the area. You can climb the tower for an excellent view. I did but only went up a couple of stair flights' worth.

Clock and visitor center in the town of Nashville, Indiana. This town is quaint and historic and has many art shops and boutiques. There is a tram modeled to look like a train, that for a very reasonable price will take you on a tour through town.

Forested vista at an overlook in Brown County State Park. There is lots of good hiking in the area, some of it around lakes. I can only imagine how nice it would be to visit this park in October when all those trees change color.

The U.S.'s longest historic covered bridge. located near Medora, Indiana. This beautiful bridge is over 300 feet long, and was originally built in the late 19th century and extensively renovated a few years ago. You can park you car on the western end of the bridge and walk right through it, signing a guest log book as you do so.

The main atrium area of the West Baden Resort in West Baden, Indiana. This resort has a long and interesting history, and was extensively renovated 10 or 15 years ago.At one point in history, this was the largest free-standing domed structure in the world, until mega-sports stadiums starting being built.

Myself standing near the old state capital building in Corydon, Indiana. Corydon is located in the southern part of the state, not too far from Louisville, KY. Corydon was also the site of the only Civil War battle ever fought in Indiana.

Abraham Lincoln's birthplace near Hodgenville, KY. The building in the distance sits on a hill and contains a replica of a cabin inside; this is where the original cabin where Lincoln was born once stood.

Downtown area of Bardstown, KY. According to signage on one of the town's main squares, it was "voted the most beautiful small town in America".

Most of Mammoth Cave is a "dry cave" sealed off by limestone, but here is an area of the cave system where intrusions by water have created beautiful stalagtite formations.

National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY - even if one is not interested in race cars, this museum is an interesting slice of Americana.










 
Riverboat passing along the Ohio River near Newburgh, Indiana.

Scene from a hiking trail in John James Audubon State Park, near Henderson, Kentucky. A deer was looking right at me, visible in the center of the picture.