Ouabache & Pokagon State Parks & Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum

 

 

What started off as a three day trip to Pokagon State Park in Northeast Indiana (5 miles south of the Indiana-Michigan state line and 14 miles west of the Indiana-Ohio state line) turned into a seven day trip so we could  watch our grandson play in a soccer tournament in Fort Wayne, IN.  We booked three nights at Ouabache State Park 45 minutes south of Fort Wayne, near Bluffton, IN  We got to watch Mack play 2 games on Saturday, but heavy rains moved their last game inside and we decided not to go.  They had 3"-4" of rain overnight and most of the day Sunday.

May 7-10, 2021

There are thirteen (13) fire towers in Indiana.  I have now climbed 3, with plans to climb them all withing the next couple of years.

                                            The state park is home to a small herd of Bison

       The Civilian Conservation Corps was responsible for the construction of many of the buildings and

       reforestation and land management.

                                  The Wabash River over its banks after 3"-4" of overnight rain                                       

                                                    Wells County Courthouse, Bluffton, IN

Mack's soccer tournament in Fort Wayne

May 10, 2021

                                                              Lunch at Mad Anthony Tap Room (Brewery)                  

         After lunch we headed to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum.  We are members of Harvest Host and reserved an overnight stay.  They even had 30amp electric and water.  We purchased tickets to visit the auto museum and the truck museum.  We spent close to 2-1/2 hours on Monday and another 1-1/2 hours on Tuesday morning.  The history of the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles in Northeast Indiana was very interesting.  Across the street is a large parking lot they use for auto shows and around the parking lot are bronze statues of all of the people that were instrumental in the manufacturing and design of these cars, and historical signs.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the museum..                                                                                                                                                  

May 11-14, 2021

Pokagon State Park sits on the shores of Lake James ansd Lake Snow.  Steuben County has the most lakes of any county in Indiana.  The lakes were formed by glaciers 10,000-15,000 years ago.  The glacier was the last of four that covered Indiana and was name the "Wisconsin".The Saginaw lobe of this massive, one mile thick, ice flow was the last to leave a lasting impression on the face of the lands of Pokagon State Park.

Lake James

Famous Toboggan Run at Pokagon State Park, 90' drop, quarter mile dual refrigerated track. The Civilian Conservation Corps built most of the buildings and the toboggan Run.  Though their camp buildings no longer exist, they are marked by wood posts at each buildings corners, and a sigh

n describes the each building.  The flag pole base and one concrete door step are all that remain.

                        Camped above the shore of Lake James with beautiful sunsets each night

Shagbark Hickory Tree

After a near miss along the Texas Coast "Almost Nomads" met up with "Fulltime Nomads" at the RV park they were staying at, in Howe, IN.  Jeannie & Eldy were their to visit Eldy's family and to drop of the fifth wheel while they are in Alaska for a couple of weeks.  They are flying to Alaska and renting an RV for a couple weeks.

2021 - Patoka Lake SRA & Louisville, KY

 

 

 

 A three day trip turned into a five day trip.  Patoka Lake SRA is in south central Indiana near the Hoosier National Forest.

 

 

 

 The French Lick Indiana hotel was once the Eight Wonder of the World.  It was completely renovated 15-20 years.  The hotel is round with rooms over looking the atrium.

 

 

 

 

 The Dogwood and Redbud trees were in full blume

 

 

 

 Our new wind screen did the job at grill time,

 

 

 

 

 Dogwood and Redbud Trees

 

   

  

 

 

 Redbuds in blume

 

 

 

 

  

 

 Our campsite was centrally located.  Over the 3 days we hike approximately 25 miles to different locations along the reservoir

 

  

 

 Sarah getting her vitamin D

 

 

 

 We added a stop at Our Lady of Perpetual Hops Brewery in New Albany, IN.  This was a Harvest Host stay and we purchase a flat and several growlers for our son

 

 

 For us a trip to the Louisville area can't go without dinner from Mark's Feed Store.  This is a favorite of our family dating back to our son's college days in Louisville

 Honey Wings, Brisket for me and a bowl of Burgoo for Susan

 

 

 Up early and a drive into Louisville for our granddaughters 8:00 a.m. soccer match

 

 Back to our son's house to drop off the camper and head to the youngest granddaughters soccer match

 

 Saturday evening our son and daughter-in-law took us all to the Louisville Zoo for "Wild Lights" We got to see some of the animals that were out.  It was a fun time for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah and Cooper meeting for the first time

 Finally calmed down

 

Our grand kids saying their good byes to Sarah

It is nice to be able to change plans in a blink of an eye.  It was a fun trip and we look forward to camping at Patoka Lake SRA in the future.  We have planned a number of short Indiana State Parks during the week, with minimal campers.