Nashville and Brown County - Perfect Timing
October is prime time for Brown County, Indiana, one of the most scenic places in the Midwest.
With massive 2nd-growth forests covering the rolling hills and the winding roads revealing breathtaking vistas, it's no wonder that traffic jams--rare in rural Indiana--are in full force during the peak of "leaf" season.
As I write this, that peak is right now.
It's been a colder than usual fall, but the leaves seem to be cooperating.
I recommend a weekday trip as weekends usually bring the awful traffic.
Go on the weekends if you must, but don't say I didn't warn you.
Meantime, what I really want to write about is Nashville, the little burg that anchors this lovely county.
For many years the home of artists, musicians and back-to-nature types, the store selection has changed over time.
Gone, for the most part, are the junk shops, antique stores and second hand stores.
I miss them, but you can still find a lot of antiques and flea market items as you go east on Highway 46 towards Columbus.
Gnawbone has two good weekend flea markets.
Meantime, shopping in Nashville has become more of a specialty boutique experience.
Lots of decorative items, glass, art galleries, artisan work and niche shops predominate, with ice cream and snack-type shops dotted in between.
Still, it's a unique Indiana retail experience, full of Indiana stores that are owned and operated locally.
Indiana shopping that is totally eclectic, if not as exciting as it used to be for antique lovers and collectors.
Walking in Nashville is a real treat as long as it's not too crowded.
One of my favorite places is the candy store, just around the corner from the main intersection.
I love to get salt water taffy there.
Another Indiana shop that many will be glad to find is The Toy Chest, especially since Indiana toy stores are in such short supply these days.
One longtime treasure that you won't be able to visit, at least this year, is the Nashville Little Opry, which burned down in a fire in late September, 2009.
No word yet on whether the country music landmark will be rebuilt, but the preliminary cause of the fire was determined to be arson.
So...
plan your trip to Nashville, Indiana.
Just remember that you'll need to plan ahead to secure a hotel reservation or a cabin in Brown County.
Some weekends are booked well in advance.
With massive 2nd-growth forests covering the rolling hills and the winding roads revealing breathtaking vistas, it's no wonder that traffic jams--rare in rural Indiana--are in full force during the peak of "leaf" season.
As I write this, that peak is right now.
It's been a colder than usual fall, but the leaves seem to be cooperating.
I recommend a weekday trip as weekends usually bring the awful traffic.
Go on the weekends if you must, but don't say I didn't warn you.
Meantime, what I really want to write about is Nashville, the little burg that anchors this lovely county.
For many years the home of artists, musicians and back-to-nature types, the store selection has changed over time.
Gone, for the most part, are the junk shops, antique stores and second hand stores.
I miss them, but you can still find a lot of antiques and flea market items as you go east on Highway 46 towards Columbus.
Gnawbone has two good weekend flea markets.
Meantime, shopping in Nashville has become more of a specialty boutique experience.
Lots of decorative items, glass, art galleries, artisan work and niche shops predominate, with ice cream and snack-type shops dotted in between.
Still, it's a unique Indiana retail experience, full of Indiana stores that are owned and operated locally.
Indiana shopping that is totally eclectic, if not as exciting as it used to be for antique lovers and collectors.
Walking in Nashville is a real treat as long as it's not too crowded.
One of my favorite places is the candy store, just around the corner from the main intersection.
I love to get salt water taffy there.
Another Indiana shop that many will be glad to find is The Toy Chest, especially since Indiana toy stores are in such short supply these days.
One longtime treasure that you won't be able to visit, at least this year, is the Nashville Little Opry, which burned down in a fire in late September, 2009.
No word yet on whether the country music landmark will be rebuilt, but the preliminary cause of the fire was determined to be arson.
So...
plan your trip to Nashville, Indiana.
Just remember that you'll need to plan ahead to secure a hotel reservation or a cabin in Brown County.
Some weekends are booked well in advance.
Source...