Thursday, May 23, 2013

Spring in Brown County State Park

A few weeks ago I took a day trip over to Brown County State Park.  This is the largest state park in Indiana and showcases the hills of Southern Indiana.


On the way there I stopped by Moore's Creek again and took a couple of pictures.


Yellow Rocket, or Barbarea vulgaris.





Roundleaf Ragwort, or Packera obovata.


The first of many views of the countryside.






Ogle Lake; one of two man-made lakes in the park.





Violets in bloom near the trail around Ogle Lake.




Yellow violet.




Goldthread or Coptis trifolia.


Toothwort, or Cardamine concatenata.


An unidentified wildflower.


Dutchman's Breeches, or Dicentra cucullaria.



The sun shines through the trees.


Another wildflower.


A weathered fallen tree.


Phlox.




Another variety of Roundleaf Ragwort.

Scenery around Ogle Lake.






A hollow tree.



Turtles sunning on a log.



A tree that has been gnawed on by beavers.



Strahl Creek at the base of Strahl Lake.


The waterfall at the base of Strahl Lake.







The Hills O' Brown were created when the glaciers to the north, melted and carved out the hollers, leaving a rugged terrain behind.




A butterfly visits the phlox.





After my tour of the park I headed east to Gnaw Bone, IN.
I wanted to try the famous Gnaw Bone pork tenderloin sandwich.
To that end, I stopped at the Gnaw Bone Mart and ordered the pork tenderloin and an side of onion rings.

The usual side is an order of freshly made potato chips.


This was the thoughtful decor the mart accorded the diner.

But not to worry; as with many unpretentious places, the food was the star.
This truly was the best pork tenderloin sandwich I have ever had.
I will be back for more.

I will have to try the potato chips next time.
And perhaps the small version of this sandwich.  
This is a monster of a sandwich.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Late April in Monroe County

It has been a wet April and the creeks have been flowing.
Such a welcome change from last year.


 Jordan River on IU campus is happily tumbling over the rocks.


 Even Farmer Brown* is decked out in Hoosier colors to celebrate our boys making it to 
the Sweet 16 again this year.


*Disclaimer: I don't know if that is his name, but he ought to have a name, shouldn't he?
So, Farmer Brown it is, as far as I am concerned.






 Near by, Moores Creek is making its way down to Lake Monroe.





 A wild phlox grows by the creek.





 Across the road, the redbuds are in bloom.











 It is peaceful out on the lake today.


 The water is up, but the road is still passable - for now.


I love spring.