One thing I really like about exploring towns in central Indiana is when I discover a memorial to…read morethe history of the area, especially when it was something that I somewhat recall or have a connection with. Back on April 3, 1974, the Midwest was hit with a "Super Outbreak" that generated 148 confirmed tornadoes over a two day period across 13 states. 5000 were injured and 315 deaths were confirmed. Monticello was the target of an F4 tornado that swept in from the southwest, killing eight people. There was an estimated $100 million in damages, including the court house. The tornado struck the town at 5:17 p.m. It is considered (locally) as when "time stood still". In 2010, a new park was created a block west of where the new court house stands. The bricked plaza features several special items. A sculpture shaped like a tornado supports a clock that is stopped at 5:17. There are some pieces from the court house that were saved and put in this park. The original water fountain and several of the lamp posts were saved and used in this plaza. (Note: The keystone from the original court house sits a block to the west on the corner of Constitution Plaza by the new court house.) This plaza creates a quiet space in the downtown area that succinctly tells the story of what happened by use of plaques that are located around the plaza. I admire that the town pays tribute to its challenges and has continued forward rebuilding as a community. Review #2794

Really pretty view The water was nice. The waterfall was so cool. I didn't see any snakes or…read moreanything.

Almost hidden in the little town of Williamsport is an amazing geological feature millions of years…read morein the making. The Williamsport Falls at 90 feet high is the longest falls in Indiana. We knew it was there somewhere, but Eric at the Hot Dog Station said it's right out back and sure enough, there it was. There is a small parking area and maps of hiking trails where you can walk along the creek, descend and watch the waterfall. You can observe the top of the falls right from the parking lot. There was no water flowing due to lack of rain during our visit, but you could see amazing crevasses created by water rushing over the falls. For a small observation deck, you can see the shear drop of the falls. The fall foliage was just starting to change making the view spectacular. There is no charge to enter the park, which is dog friendly. There are several trails.

There is only a little to say that has yet to be told by previous reviews. So, we were driving back…read morefrom South Bend, and the wife noticed a sign along the highway that read, Chief Menominee statue next exit. It was odd because we had recently been to the Menominee Reservation in Wisconsin last year since I've been trying to research my ancestry. We had no idea that it was in the area. It was about four miles off the exit. It was pristine and a respectful way to honor Chief Menominee. The locals have done a good job.

Southwest of Plymouth, a granite marker indicates where the start of the forced relocation march of…read morethe Potawatomi Indians began. The relocation to Kansas caused the death of 150 of the 859 people who were moved. The relocation was labeled the "Trail of Death". Back in 1909, the state approved funds for this 7 foot granite statue of Chief Menominee that rests on a pedestal on the high ground of the small park-like area set aside for the monument. The Chief was the leader who resisted the relocation, but ultimately had to yield. The statue was carved by Novelli and Calcagni from Vermont and dedicated in 1909, seventy one years after the relocation began. The actual camp of the Potawatomi Indians was about 21/2 miles to the southwest of the statue. I was unable to find why this site was selected instead. Review #3078

Now I truly know the meaning behind the phrase, "a feast for the eyes." Samara is one of those…read morehouses where my eyes were on overdrive, just trying to look at every element of this gorgeous property, and absorb all possible details. It's almost overwhelming how beautiful this Frank Lloyd Wright house is. Samara is my first FLW structure that I've had the pleasure of touring. I didn't know what to expect when I signed up: Would it just be me and the tour guide? Surely, there aren't that many people who want to see a house in the middle of a weekday. I was wrong! Our group was at least a dozen people, all enthusiastic about learning more about this special house and Frank Lloyd Wright's plans behind it. Our tour guide was excellent, and gave us so much information about the house, the previous owners, the reason why it was created and Wright's vision for the house. I love when people do things with intention and attention to detail, and that's what's going on here with Samara. No detail of the house is by accident: Everything was carefully planned out. You can tell that Samara is a house that was purposefully made. Photos are welcome on this tour, which is good because I wanted to take photos of everything. You are not allowed in the spaces by yourself, and you have to stay with the group. The tour guide and a couple of helpers lead you through the house and explain all of the features. The tour starts right on time, and is about an hour and a half. But that 90 minutes flies by!

We had a great 90+ min narrated tour. So many stories about the family, the house, and the overall…read moreproperty. Nathan the tour guide/ docent was great and had history and anecdotes for anything our tour asked of him. I came in with limited knowledge on FLW, and came away with a much better appreciation.

This 150 year old, red covered bridge was moved to Highland Park in 1957 by the Historical Society…read more The bridge was originally located in Vermont, Indiana and is the last bridge with Smith type #3 trusses in the State. (Robert Smith was a famous covered bridge designer from Ohio. His unique designs used less wood.) The bridge, which was built in 1875, has a sorted and interesting story of survival that is described on the City of Kokomo's website. I walked across the one-lane bridge on a hot day this week. (The bridge is only open to pedestrian traffic.) The bridge is cool inside, shaded by large sycamore trees. Modern party lights hang inside the bridge to provide light. The bridge spans a creek that runs through the park. The bridge provided a beautiful backdrop for photos. There is close free parking near the bridge. Vermont Covered Bridge is a must visit for covered bridge buffs.

I don't know what's going on with this, but Coco mantis is big giant bug that hangs out on the…read morecorner of the street and kokomo Indiana. It was pretty cool to see. Don't know why it's there but it's there.

I've been to Kokomo, Indiana multiple times on my Tenderness Tour events and I discover new things…read moreeach time. Kokomantis is one of the more unusual tourist attractions you could ask for, but it's even listed on Atlas Obscura. Scrap artist Scott Pitcher crafted Kokomantis in 2012 and it's proudly placed in downtown Kokomo at the corner of Sycamore and Washington Streets. The torso and wings were crafted from World War II fuel pontoons, while the legs were crafted from traffic light poles (I wonder if that would work for me?). Construction took a reported 220 hours to both create and position this remarkably unique structure. Truthfully, I'm surprised I don't see it pop up in more horror movies. The sculpture is 22' long and 17' high. Kokomantis includes a sign that reads "please do not climb me; I'm ticklish!" and at one point had its own Facebook and Twitter accounts. I believe the Facebook account is now inactive. The Twitter page still exists, though there have been no new posts since 2016. You've got to love a city that would embrace a giant praying mantis. While the love doesn't seem to be quite as passionate as it used to be, it's like any oversized sculpture - if you are going by it, you're going to stop for a photo op. Seriously.

A beautiful park is located just west of the center of Purdue's campus. The lawn has been…read moresprinkled with some new trees and in the center, the Loeb Fountain blasts 2200 gallons per minute in an array of arcs and jets. The area around the fountain is terraced with flower gardens. To the north of the fountain, several art works can be found. Review #1132

A pair of bronze statues portraying the pioneering auto builders, the Apperson Brothers, can be…read morefound near the spot of their former factory at the south entrance to Kokomo Municipal Stadium. Added in 2018, artist DJ Bawden created the pieces to commemorate the pairs contribution to Kokomo's history and commerce. Just before the beginning of the 20th Century, the brothers had started their own shop and were approached by Elwood Haynes to build his first car back in 1894 which is considered to be the first working car in America! They went on to form the Haynes-Apperson Company which continued making cars until the brothers left to pursue making a more upscale and powerful type vehicle in 1902. They were known for producing a car called the Jackrabbit. In 1911, the brothers entered a car in the 1st Indy 500. The auto manufacturers continued in Kokomo until 1926. Review #2476

Loved this theatre experience! Great popcorn! Very friendly…read morestaff and will definitely be going back!

Great popcorn, helpful staff, cool setting. Unfortunately, nothing special about the theatres…read morethemselves at all. Chairs are mid, nothing like the nice recliners many theatres have these days, and I was so uncomfortable with the temperature and the humidity in the room! Not sure if we caught them at a time when it was out or something but it felt like it was probably 78-80 degrees and very humid in there. We'll most likely be watching all future film releases at a different theatre.