Nestled on the serene banks of the Patoka River in Dubois County, Jasper, Indiana isn’t just another dot on the map. It’s a place where stories live in hand-carved furniture, laughter echoes from town festivals, and the past walks beside you in every charming street. Steeped in tradition and bustling with Midwestern warmth, Jasper feels like that one relative you only see at reunions but immediately adore.
Walking the streets of Cataract, Indiana feels like flipping through an old photo album -- only the kind that comes with fresh air, gravel roads, and the occasional rooster crowing off in the distance. My wife, Linda, and I have visited the community several times overs the years and enjoyed the peace and quiet each time. There's a stillness there that's not empty -- more like the town's pausing to say, "Well, hey there, stranger."
Tucked away in Homosassa, Florida, the remnants of a steam-powered mill that once was the heart of a sprawling 5,000-acre plantation stand as a silent witness to an era marked by ambition, innovation, and profound human suffering. The Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park offers a window into the state's complex 19th-century history.
Let’s face it—life is unpredictable. One minute you're running errands, and the next you're detouring to a scenic overlook, a pop-up food truck fest, or a hiking trail you never knew existed. Wouldn’t it be nice to be ready for those moments? Absolutely! Keeping a day trip bag in your vehicle is akin to always being for a spontaneous side trip full of adventure.
Linda and I discovered the Jane Ross Reeves Octagon House through a friend of ours who was living in Shirley, Indiana a few years ago. He called me one day and told me that he had something to show to us that he thought we would appreciate seeing, but he wouldn't say what it was. Since I'm always up for a road trip to see something new, we headed his way. This is what he had to show us.
Linda and I stumbled upon the Barberville Yard Art Emporium purely by chance one sunny afternoon. Tucked away at the crossroads of State Road 40 and U.S. 17, in the heart of tiny Barberville, Florida, this colorful roadside attraction took us completely by surprise.
Imagine standing on a piece of history so grand it once carried the weight of an entire community's progress. Linda and I recently discovered the historic Medora Covered Bridge in Indiana, not just a picturesque relic, but the longest historic covered bridge in the US. Our visit unveiled its 19th-century engineering marvel and the captivating stories whispered by a local, making this unassuming structure a vibrant link to the past and a vital part of the region's identity.
"Nice pig, Doc." Recognize that line? If you don’t, don’t worry—this is a bit of a trick question. The line comes from the movie Doc Hollywood and is repeated by several quirky residents of the fictional town of Grady. It’s a running gag in the film and part of what gives the movie its endearing, small-town charm. But who is "Doc"? That would be Dr. Ben Stone. And the movie? You guessed it—Doc Hollywood.
Often, when Linda and I are out enjoying a drive through Indiana’s scenic backroads, we come across a local winery we’ve never visited before. More often than not, we’ll stop in to check it out. Usually, the entrance to a tasting room is pretty standard—but every now and then, we’re met with a surprise before we even get through the door. That was the case with The Drunk Tank Winery, located in Rockville, Indiana.