Brownstown Again

Trip To Madison, IN
My wife and I took a motorcycle trip to Madison, IN in early June. This blog post is part of a series which presents each step of our journey. If you missed the beginning, the story starts here.

On our way back from Madison, we tried a different route.

We took IN-7 north out of Brownstown until it connected with IN-250.

Then we took IN-250 into Brownstown.

IN-250 was the road we'd been looking for.  Lightly travelled and featuring graceful sweepers and riverside running -- it was everything IN-256 hadn't been.

From Brownstown we took IN-135 North, past Story, IN, to Nashville, IN.


View Larger Map

Nashville Indiana describes it self as an artist colony. At the very least it's a "local" tourist destination drawing day-trippers from Indianapolis and points south. It features antique shops and restaurants. However, Mrs. Rat and I have spent many hours in Nashville, Indiana, and have no interest in another visit this trip.

After a brief stop to stretch our legs we hop back on the bikes and head north on IN-135.


View Larger Map

Retracing our steps, we catch IN-44 east and head into Franklin.

Hanover College

Trip To Madison, IN
My wife and I took a motorcycle trip to Madison, IN in early June. This blog post is part of a series which presents each step of our journey. If you missed the beginning, the story starts here.

Madison is just two miles from Hanover, IN, home of Indiana's oldest private college. A friend and colleague of mine is a graduate of Hanover College, and has told of about its beautiful campus. We were so close, how could we not check it out?

We rode two miles west to the entrance to Hanover College. I was blown away by the twisty, tree-lined road which led to the park-like campus.

Though no summer classes were in session, we toured around the dorms and halls which overlooked the Ohio River. The scenery rivalled Clifty Falls State Park, and in fact the acreage surpasses the size of the State Park. The College president's home enjoys a river view unspoiled by coal-fired power plant or any other industry.

I snapped a few photos to prove I was there, but wish I had snapped a few more.

The Red Pepper

Trip To Madison, IN
My wife and I took a motorcycle trip to Madison, IN in early June. This blog post is part of a series which presents each step of our journey. If you missed the beginning, the story starts here.

Seven years ago, when we made our first pilgrimage to Madison, IN, in the days before we were riding our motorcycles on long trips, my wife and I stumbled upon a great local restaurant. Upon our return we were happy to see the place was still in operation. We made sure to visit it again.

I don't know the history of The Red Pepper, but the building looks like it used to be a classic service station from the 1950's, turned into a restaurant. It has a diverse menu, and good food. We enjoyed our sandwiches immensely as we sat and talked and listened to the music playing. The sun streamed in the windows and we enjoyed our place in the sun.