Saturday, 14th September, was a very busy, but enjoyable day. Since we visited multiple places in southern Indiana, I will be splitting this day into two separate blog entries. :)
We started the day bright and early and drove down to Santa Claus, Indiana, where we visited the Post Office and browsed in a local supermarket. There are Christmas decorations on almost every building and it feels as if it is Christmas 365 days a year. Nearby is the vast amusement theme park, Holiday World and Splashing Safari, which we drove past on our way to our next stop.
We drove across to St. Meinrad Archabbey, a vast monastery nestled in picture postcard scenery. Here we walked around and marvelled at the impressive architecture, matched only by the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. It almost seems out of place in rural Indiana, and certainly reminds me of the old cathedrals and churches in many parts of Europe.
We left there in the mid-morning and continued our scenic tour of southern Indiana. We hopped onto I-64, the main East-West Interstate in this area, and travelled east to Crawford and Harrison Counties, where O'Bannon Woods State Park, one of our favourite state parks, is located. We passed an overlook of the mighty Ohio River on our way there, where we stopped to snap some photos, before entering O'Bannon Woods State Park shortly before lunch.
We enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch in the shadow of the Nature Centre and then explored the fantastic Nature Centre, which Riaan was thrilled about since it has a vast array of reptiles (many snakes, box turtles, alligator snapping turtle, common snapping turtle, etc) and amphibians! We saw the antique hay press in its own barn and also said hello to the large oxen and donkeys in the farmyard there. We then did a short hike in the area and visited the banks of the Ohio River, before heading to our next stop on the day - which will be chronicled in the next blog post! :)
The Post Office at Santa Claus, Indiana.
The Christmas Store - one of many Christmas-themed shops in the area.
Water tower for Holiday World.
One of the roller coasters at Holiday World.
St. Meinrad Archabbey.
One of the many large buildings.
Selfie in front of St. Meinrad.
Riaan heads up to the Nature Centre at O'Bannon Woods State Park.
But first - a picnic lunch under the shelter house!
Granny with Eliza.
Inside the Nature Centre.
Eliza looking at a pair of endangered hellbender salamanders.
Riaan looking at the rare alligator snapping turtle.
Alligator snapping turtle resting amongst the pebbles.
Eastern box turtle.
Common snapping turtle showing its long neck...
And back inside the shell it goes!
Colouring some nature scenes.
Barn housing the antique hay press.
The oxen and donkeys in the farmyard.
Inquisitive fellow!
Pretty butterfly.
Spot the frog!
Little ladybird on a log.
The bird and nature hide on our hike.
The old Potato Run Church within the state park.
Ohio River.
Leaving O'Bannon Woods. What a fun visit!
