"Today is a Good Day to Drive!" .....Van-Go

We looked left and there it was, a small gravel road. It wound it's way back into the forest. We kept our tires off the grass center. Above, trees canopied with sun sparkling off the leaves and lead the way. A short distance ahead a large rock loomed on the path and the road took a sharp bend. We stopped there on the side of the road and rolled out the awning, set out our tables and chairs. This would be home for a few days. Our front porch view to the woods beyond was defined by large elephant size rocks to the south and a seventy-five foot fallen tree to the east. To the west a flatter large rock separated us from the forest and our van blocked our view west to the bend in the road. Within our yard we have about half a dozen tall tall oak trees; one has an oval knot like a big open mouth. When the wind blows thumb size acorns drop. If the hit the van there is a tremendous thunk. Across the road is a path with steps made from the roots of trees that have collected dirt. We followe...

They came at us unseen.   They came by the ones and tens.   We didn’t even know until the tell tale marks appeared and the itching, the insane itching. We were attacked in the forest by chiggers!!   Both legs up to our panty lines have the battle   marks!   They start off as little bumps with white centers that soon turn to little red bumps.   We try not to scratch; we even bought itch creams and are taking Benadryl but, the itch….   

We have driven on to Indiana's Cave Tour Trail. We did Blue Spring Caverens yesterday and today we just finished Marengo Cave ( they have two tours: Crystal Palace and Dripstone Trail) and are on our way to Squire Boone Caverns. As we visit each cave we get a stamp on our passport slip; when we do all three we will get a free tee shirt! The drive between is just beautiful and we have found some awesome vistas over looking the Ohio River.

We found one of the most loved state part in Indiana: Spring Mill State Park is nested among the trees.   At the entrance is the memorial to astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom.   Kathy was so excited to stand right next to the actual capsule he nick named, “Molly Brown”. Then we drove around the park a bit and came to the Pioneer Village with a working Grist Mill! We bought us some fresh ground corn flour! Then we headed up to the Inn and tried a slice of homemade cornmeal pie!! Yum! This wreath is made of real hair; a tradition women did in the early 1900s!

 This is a small but mighty fruit! About the size of a gulf ball it packs a mean punch if you pick it off the tree and have a bite.  Our mouths shriveled up and our lips went dry and our gums about welded together.  Our tongue had a hard time moving....But when they are ripe and fall off the tree, that is when they are wonderful and sweet and smooth and yummy.  We learned the hard way not to pick and eat, but to let them fall then eat!

We found another wonderful spot to spend a few days and enjoy the forest treasures, the peace one feels surrounded by trees and the awe at the beauty.

Forest location 3521.050 in the Hoosier National Forest. Wonder what treasures we shall find here!

On our hike today a little frog joined us for a spell. He ribbited his fair thee wells. And the squirrels chattered their goodbyes. Daddy Longlegs stopped by camp to wave. And a grand wasp stopped and joined us enjoying a sip of sugar water before taking off. A flock of twenty, or was it two hundred, crows came through camp making quite a lot of commotion! The giant wolf spider tried to walk into camp but Will discouraged him and sent him on his way. The flies of course want to come along with us and try to sneak into the van. Almost time to leave....

Our last walk under the arch was thus morning. It was very damp and we almost thought not to, but there was a feeling that we should walk our Loop Trail before we left this spot. The dampness made the greens richer. We came across lots if mushrooms, bright yellow, tiny browns, little whites growing all together, a big white one and this one-a pretty red. Mushrooms remind Kathy of a time in the forest of Germany when Justin was young. Those we were with were picking mushrooms and there were several varieties. I have somewhere a picture of a young Justin holding a giant white mushroom-the biggest I have ever seen even to this day!! And the mushrooms too made a very good meal. Another memory comes to mind: the Ho Rain Forest and the wild mushroom pickers. The gather in tent cities and go out during the day to their special locations and gather mushrooms that they then sell to vendors who come along in trucks. Very interesting. We have since seen them do that in other places. Then there i...

Our last night in the magic forest and a great spider with long dandy legs came to visit. He stayed and warmed himself by the fire before heading back into the forest. We took a hike down the archway path and finished blazing our loop trail. Input way out a moss covered rock tripped Will trying to get him to stay and a long thorny vine wrapped itself around Kathy's leg. But alas we have to leave tomorrow.

We have everything we need and are really happy with our spot in the Hoosier National Forest just off Nebo Road The sheriff paid us a visit. He was checking on the red car parked down the road. We only knew it had been there since early this morning. After dinner we were sipping on hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows when a young man comes out from the archway! He was smiling and greeted us with a cheery hello. He said he parked down the road early today as not to disturb us. We told him about the sheriff asking about his car. He said, " my car is still there isn't it". It was. Last night we had a campfire and we were singing songs when there arose a chorus from all around! The owls hoooooooed, the coyote howled, and the insects chittered. They really like Will's guitar picking. This morning we slept in. The sun was up before us!! What a beautiful sunny day. A humming bird buzzed by and went to the feeder before flying off. A flock of woodpeckers came through ...

A guy named Gene came early driving in fast. Pulled right up to the front porch and got out kindda quick. We were still snuggled in bed, but Will jumped up and was out the door before Gene closed his door. Gene has been coming here for 30 years to hunt and bright his tree stand to set up and claim his hunting spot. He told us that this use to be a old homestead bought up during the depression. Today thru the arch we went with our nippers and cleaned up the trail out to the end. We watched a spider hold tightly to his captured moth; we watched a fuzzy bright red and black giant ant looking creature out for a morning stroll. And we watched an army of ants walk off with our peanutbutter cracker crumbs! We thought we better leaving yellow ties instead if bread crumbs so we could find our way back as we explored the area beyond trails end. And we picked each one up on our return so the critters of the land under the archway would not get spooked. The rest of the day passed with reading and...

Dark chocolate and animal crackers. Yum

As we walked thru the arch this morning the crows announced our entrance. A mated pair of cardinals called hello. And the pair of hummingbirds buzzed us in greeting. We walked the path easily today after yesterday's trimming session. The squirrel seems to think we are now friends as he chatters when we pass. Kathy walked around one of the small ponds along the path startling the frogs that inhabit here and causing a bit of excitement. One big guy was so startled that he gave out a great squeal instead of his usual ribbit. We know that the eyes of the forest watch us closely for we saw several in branches looking unblinking as we passed. No matter how softly we step, we are loud. Twigs crack under our feet, leaves russle and the very ground shakes. We found many treasures today: tiny flowers that the fairies must tend as they are quite small, soft puffy moss in shades of green, and mushrooms big and small. At the end of the trail we explored a bit beyond and think we shall blaz...

We walked thru the arch again today we saw a dragon fly, deers prance, frogs bellow and hop about. We heard crows warning and doves cooing, and ... Will started a camp fire tonight using the larger parts of our collected twigs we use for the smoker. At first there was sift grey smoky drifting off. That is when we first saw them. They came zipping around darting about. They glistened in the setting sunlight- fairies?! The flames burst out. Mostly yellow flickering along the small long. Then it came-green flames!! This place is indeed magical!! Today is a Good Day to Drive! Van-Go Sent from my iPhone

The serve was straight. Will's racket was poised ready for the return. The birdie arched high. And Kathy got right under it, returning the bird right square to his racket. The next hit was smooth and easy right to Kathy's racket. She hit hard and it came down fast. Will hit the bird before it hit the ground. Kathy didn't have a chance. The bird flew right over her! Good to get a little exercise. Oh my goodness we just heard a tree fall in the woods!! Today is a Good Day to Drive! Van-Go Sent from my iPhone

We stepped through the archway made by the fallen tree into another world! Seeds on the tall greens along the path were ready to pop, drop or fly away from their parent plant. We spied a turtle who yanked his head back in the moment he saw us watching him. Only when we past did he peek out again. A bright green grasshopper would have gone unnoticed had he not moved. The tiny toad jumped just as a foot came his direction! We could just hear him yell, Watch where you are going!". Butterflies of bright yellow, orange and black with a brilliant blue fluttered along with us. On the ground was an array of color! And nuts too. Today is a Good Day to Drive! Van-Go Sent from my iPhone

We sit on little knoll in a clearing. A forest road stretches out behind us. It is blocked by a small fallen tree that makes an arched entrance to a new world. Birds chitterlings and insects buzzings, an airplane groans and a distant car zooms. There comes a fluttering high in the trees as the wind greets the leaves. A few brown leaves break away and flutter to the ground. The sun peeks through the trees reaching higher and becoming stronger as the morning moves to noon. Smoke from our little smoker twirls up on a breeze filling the air with it's sweet smell. Oh my! A hummingbird just buzzed by, came back around and fluttered right in front of me, eye to eye, then buzzed off!! What a beautiful morning in the forest. Today is a Good Day to Drive! Van-Go Sent from my iPhone