Turkey Run State Park & Cataract Falls

The forecast indicated that we would have a break in the wet, humid weather for a few days this week. I took a chance on clear skies and headed out for a quick overnight trip to Turkey Run State Park. I had 2 very nice days in west-central Indiana which I share with you here. 

In the history of the state park system, Turkey Run is the second park. The land was purchased in 1916 which was the same year the state park system was established. 

Sugar Creek runs through the park and is a destination for canoe and kayak enthusiasts. The park is known for the suspension bridge spanning Sugar Creek which is the access point for most of the hiking in the park, another big draw for visitors. 

The exposed bedrock along the creek is called Mansfield sandstone. Over time the sandstone has been carved into today's formations by the erosion of melting glacial waters.

The trails take you past scenes such as this one with the powerful presence of rock walls and thriving plant communities. These lush, damp scenes contain every green on the spectrum. 
The human history of the park includes that of the Lusk family who settled in the area and, through hard work, created a community there. Salmon Lusk served in the War of 1812 and was paid in land for his service. He settled first in Vermillion County but later, in 1826, he and his bride, Mary, built a new mill at the Narrows of Sugar Creek in Parke County. By 1830 they were operating a general store and in 1837 Lusk became the Post Master of the newly built Post Office. The community was known as Lusk Springs.

In 1841the Lusks built this Federal & Greek style brick home for their family of ten. It is located above the flood plain on a plateau facing Sugar Creek and the mill. 

Salmon Lusk eventually owned over 1400 acres, a large portion of which he left untouched. Eventually his decision to preserve natural areas left a legacy which is now Turkey Run State Park.

Turkey Run is in Parke County which is known for it's Covered Bridges. A Covered Bridge Festival is a big draw every year. 

There is a spot near the Inn at Turkey Run that is called Sunset Point. It overlooks Sugar Creek. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934-35 along with various Shelter Houses, a saddle barn and other sandstone trail structures. It is a wonderful spot to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature and observe the dusk falling on Sugar Creek. 

From Sunset Point

 And on the way home I made a stop at Cataract Falls.

 Lower Falls

And Upper Falls.

And now, this weekend another weather front is passing through bringing rain and humidity again...so I'm grateful for the two clear, sunny and humidity free days earlier this week. 

Thanks for looking!

Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas

Even if you don't think of yourself as a "car person" you can't help but be charmed and fascinated by the high style, aerodynamics and luxury detailing of these cars and the history of the auto industry they represent.

To celebrate my recent birthday, a friend and I made a trip to the Indianapolis Art Museum to take in the "Dream Cars" exhibit. On display are a selection of "Concept Cars" created from the 1930's to the present. These cars were not conceived for mass production but are examples of  groundbreaking innovations in automobile design and engineering. 

One of the earliest examples of a concept car.

Check out the upholstery.

The Bugatti: Maybe My Favorite!

1934 Edsel Ford Model 40 Special Speedster

A precursor to the VW Minibus and later the Minivan, the Stout Scarab was designed and hand built by aviation pioneer William Bushnell Stout. It was inspired by nature and the rounded shape of a beetle.  

This vehicle carried 7 passengers and featured convertible seating and
 a fold out table.

"The Electric Egg": The World's First Bubble Car

This radical 3 wheel design was built by Paul Arzens for his personal use during the German occupation of France during WWII. It was a low cost, light weight, fuel efficient answer to materials shortages and gas rationing. 

L' Oeuf (The Egg) was equipped with an aluminum body, a single peddle and steering wheel. It could travel up to 60 miles on a charge and travel at speeds up to 38MPH.

The 1948 Tasco is another concept car built by an independent designer/engineer. Notice the "cockpit" style windshield and roof design. And the red leather interior!

Another example of spirited vision by another independent designer.  

Mechanical engineer Norman Timbs built this car over a two and a half year period and then drove it as his personal ride. Cost to build = $10,000 in 1947. 

Features a rear engine design without doors to interrupt the sweeping, elongated curving forms of the car.

The Norman Timbs Special was featured in October 1949 on the cover of Motor Trend magazine. 

The Thunderbolt was coined "The Car of the Future" by Chrysler. It featured aerodynamic, streamlined design free of excessive ornamentation, with the exception of the thunderbolt on each door.

This 1951 GM La Sabre XP-8, by contrast, relies on excessive ornamentation. The post-war economy was clicking on all cylinders as demonstrated by this long, sleek, decorous and luxury laden vehicle. 

 A car for George Jetsen and the dreams of space travel evolving in the decade of the 1950's.

 Another rear engine design with entry by lifting the windshield.

 The Buick Centurion featured a rear mounted camera with a screen embedded in the dashboard eliminating the need for rear view mirrors.

 

 And finally the two most contemporary concept cars that feature state of the art 21st century innovations. 

The Porsche 918 Spyder is a hybrid concept car built to address consumer interest in green technology and impact on the environment. It has a V-8 engine plus two electric motors allowing for 4 driving modes.

The BMW GINA Light Visionary Model is a truly striking idea. 

Through the use of a flexible Lycra fabric stretched over a movable frame of aluminum and carbon fiber mesh, the design allows for changes in the shape of the car. And is resistant to water, heat and cold.

The seats, steering wheel, headrest and console automatically respond and "mold" to the individual driver. 

And it is just plain beautiful!

The latest in available technology is applied to bring these visions to life. 

And just think, it all started with the idea of a carriage on wheels traveling without the aid of a horse.

Thanks for looking!