There are a few days which I carve out just so I can wander alone. These include the memorial day of Beth's death, our wedding anniversary, and maybe our birthdays. This week included Beth's birthday and I posted this on Facebook - "When I began dating Beth I learned that her birthday was just two days before Valentine’s Day. The second lesson learned was that the two events were not two days apart, but 363 days apart! So today is Beth’s birthday, my sixth without her. Hug your loved one. You just never know." That day, February 12, wouldn't work for wandering so I planned a trip to northwest Indiana on Valentine's Day.
It was a cold day with threatening weather in the forecast so I packed my heavy coat, just in case. I was heading to Winamac to have lunch with John Lehman, a dear friend and fellow state FFA team member. Also, I had set my sights on a restaurant with a renowned Breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwich. Left at 9:15 and headed west one mile from my home and then north on Spring Mill Road, crossed SR32 and then it turned west and I jogged to the next road, Six Points Road. Continued north crossing SR38, through Boxley and then turned west at the County Line Road/296th Street to pick up the next road north into Tipton County. Took that road the entire distance through Tipton County and into Howard County until it T’ed at SR26 between Kokomo and Russiaville. Hadn't seen anything special, the roads were partial snow and ice, but there was no traffic, flat lands, and rural roads. This was the peace I sought. I captured the serenity and emotions in a poem I wrote a few years ago, Her Empty Seat. (I hope to have it in the book)
People who know me are aware that I often have lengthy phone conversations when I drive. Relationships are very valuable to me and they re-energize me. I was talking to my sister and realized that at this point in the day, I had already crossed the only three state highways that traverse the state border to border (N-S or E-W) SR32, SR28, and SR26.
Turned west on SR26 west towards Russiaville and then north again at the next road and continued through Alto Road another mile and was forced to turn. Just kept driving north, jogging west step by step. Stopped for my first picture of the day -- Wildcat Creek, one of only three Indiana streams included in the national Natural, Scenic, and Recreational River System.
By this time I was talking with Jane Sipe, another friend, and this area was her childhood stomping grounds. Turned east onto [Old] Sycamore Road toward Kokomo and then quickly north again. She figured out where I was and we talked as I neared Northwestern HS, her alma mater. She directed me west to drive by her childhood home and other family residences. I came across a ‘town sign’ for Masseyville, a hamlet not listed on any map I can find (and I have many). Oh well, I have been there. It’s similar to a few other places where
people have erected their own signs without the
county's recognition. Continued driving west past her home and then to her grandparents.
I stopped for a picture of a white mottled sycamore tree framed by blue sky, the tree she would remember. Zigzagged along county roads moving WNW. Entered Carroll County and then onto SR29.
Traveled north to SR18 and turned toward Flora. Just east of Carroll HS I turned back north. Skirted Little Deer Creek but nowhere to get pictures. I cut over to a bridge over Deer Creek and did stop for pictures upstream and down-stream. Continued north to SR218 and then west into Camden.
It was a pretty day, but cold outside. On the highway, the first significant building was a red brick church which shone nicely surrounded by snow against the blue skies. Was talking with one of our daughters which meant I was comfortable starting and stopping for pictures of the church, the Knights of Pythias Hall, IOOF Lodge, Methodist Church, and Masonic Temple.
Camden Baptist Church Knights of Pythias and IOOF Halls Masonic Temple
Continued west on SR218 until it ended at SR25 on the eastern edge of Delphi. Crossed SR25 and continued on county roads. Wound along streets bordered by the RR and the Wabash River and finally ended up on Towpath Road, from the former Wabash and Erie Canal. At this point, I was west of Winamac, so I slowly made my way back NNE. Crossed over the Wabash River at Carrollton Bridge and stopped for a picture of the River with ice floes traveling downstream.
I zigzagged along more county roads eventually passing Hickory Grove Church, Eastlawn Elementary School, and Willie Mote Auto Parts at US24. Continued north-northeast passing several large farm operations as I had been doing all day. I crossed SR16 and my county road ended at a curve on SR119 between Winamac and Pulaski. Drove into Winamac, parked and entered One-Eyed Jack’s Restaurant.
It was 12:30 and John would still be a while yet. I found a quiet table in the bar and began to journal. Drank iced tea and wrote until he arrived. We both ordered breaded tenderloin sandwiches, the signature sandwich. I chose grilled veggies instead of a starch. Everything was good and oversized as the picture shows. We had a great conversation, catching up on his parents, both in their mid-90s and still in their home. Shared news of our kids and families. Talked about my work, his work. As we have both lost our wives, we talked about Beth and Ruth Ann. I finally got the whole story of her car accident 13 years ago.
We talked of loss, of grieving, of his remarriage and second family, of love and so much more. It was insightful and cathartic. Our food was delicious and we
both brought part of it back home. We have been friends since we were 19 years old, just a few years ago! Time spent visit with him was the highlight of my day.
When we left, clouds had hidden the sun and gray was now the prevailing color. I visited the Winamac City Park as intended. Took pictures of the Carnegie Library and the old high school now serving as the County Government Center on the short trip through town.
Pulaski County Public Library Pulaski County Government Building
Inside the park, I parked next to the Veterans Memorial Swinging Bridge. The park is surrounded on three sides by the Tippecanoe River. I bundled up walked the snow-covered path to the bridge. There were many footprints in the snow left by others who had walked the bridge. I enjoyed the bounce of the suspension bridge. I took several pictures of the bridge and the stream. On the other side I walked on the boat launch down to the water’s edge for a different perspective. Glad I took the walk.
Winamac City Park - (top L to R) Memorial Bridge Marker, Tippecanoe River Downstream, Looking across the suspension bridge (bottom) Memorial Suspension Bridge, Under the bridge at water's edge, Upstream at the water's edge
Got settled back into the truck and headed east from the park. This was Old State Road 14/Washington Street. The road wound around to present-day SR14 and I headed back east. I did not really want to be on the highway. Turned out at the next road and traveled south on county roads to Star City and then followed US35 SE. Talked with Angie Hibner, a business colleague, about a shared project. Talked for quite awhile and discussed the Winamac bridge I visited and learned that it holds many memories for her. We discussed relationships, my grief journey, wandering, and teaching.
Drove through Royal Center and just southeast of town US35 curved and I went straight on to a county road. Learned that it was the Royal Center Pike. This is the road that US 35 replaced years ago. Traveled this route all the way to Logansport and enjoyed the rural roads and scenery. Past a local historical marker and, following my own Rules of Wandering, backed up for a second look, but could not figure out what it was marking.
Had another conversation as I drove through Logansport and on to Kokomo. This territory is so familiar that there is not a lot that I haven’t seen. Continued south passing a CF Anhydrous Ammonia bulk terminal. Connected with a friend, Brian Wise and discussed former agricultural chemical suppliers, industry consolidation and ownership changes. Passed the former Erny’s, Inc. fertilizer plant now owned by The Anderson’s and continued our conversation for my entire trip through Galveston, Kokomo and down US31 into Hamilton County.
My wandering was complete as I headed to my daughter's for Valentine's Day dinner. Other than the park and a pork tenderloin, I didn't see a lot new, but it was a satisfying trip nonetheless. Wandering, like tourism, is more about the experience than the product itself.
Comments