This past month brought several discoveries while out wandering. It was also a musical odyssey of sorts.
The Indiana State Fair started this month, and there are certainly so many sights, sounds, displays, rides, and animals. However, my favorite part of the fair is the free stage. As of this writing, we have seen Three Dog Night and America perform. It’s hard not to enjoy singing Joy To The World or A Horse With No Name! You bring your lawn chairs, take a load off, and listen to the sounds of summer. Get some good fair food and enjoy. It’s a favorite time of the year for me. (And don’t forget to attend your local county fair).
I also had the privilege of spending some time at Conner Prairie in Fishers listening to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. What a great venue to sit back and relax, take a picnic dinner, roll out a blanket, have a cold drink, and listen to some wonderful music. We heard an Eagles tribute band that was very good and performed an outstanding show. I hope our next visit will allow for more time to see the sights and history exhibits of Conner Prairie. There is quite a bit of construction going on, so there will be even more to see next year.
Ever been to Shrader-Weaver Nature Preserve? Neither had I until a couple of weeks ago. The preserve is an old growth forest located in Fayette County, northwest of Connersville. This is a nicely sized and rarely used park with a couple of loop trails—the Old Growth Trail & the Succession Trail; in total, about two miles in length. It was a very enjoyable hike, and while in the area, I suggest taking in the history and sites in Connersville. The community’s history was tied to the Whitewater River, then the canal, and eventually to the railroad, showing how communities can transform over time. This makes for a nice, short day trip enjoyed by all.
We also had a great trip to the northern part of the state. Taking in Amish country was quite an experience. LaGrange, Howe, Shipshewana, and Middlebury. This area of the state is a much different experience from my typical wandering perspective. The horses and wagons, the bicycles, and the laid back feel all shape a simple and relaxing lifestyle in this community. Wandering the county roads and exploring/seeing the Amish way of life is enlightening. Seeing their schools, places of worship, how they take care of their property, and the wares that they create makes for a trip worth taking.
While up north, it was fun looking at RVs in the RV Capital of the World. We visited several places in Elkhart and some of the surrounding communities. So many makes and models. You could have an RV overload if you wanted, and to me, that can be an enjoyable experience.
Check out Mishawaka and the Saint Joseph River area. Osceola is a small yet intriguing place to explore as well. Head towards Goshen and grab a cup of coffee at The Electric Brew. Grab a seat in this cool coffee shop or take a walk around the courthouse square and historic downtown. While driving through Noble County, we also visited downtown Ligonier and saw the Jewish influence within the community. Consider taking a kayak ride at Chain O Lakes State Park, swimming in the lake, relaxing on the beach, or taking a hike on the many trails.
What a surprise I discovered on my wanderings. Jimtown High School is a small school in Elkhart County, which I have heard of but really had no idea where it was located. It is near Elkhart. The school nickname is the Jimmies, a hardworking railroad worker. But what I found really intriguing, which made me laugh out loud, is that the school is located in Jamestown. Funny stuff! That would have been a fun community discussion.
Tell me where to wander, where to go eat, and places to visit—always looking for new stuff.
– Jeff Banning