May 3, 2025 We took the Spring Valley Trail which is a 10,8…read moremile loop. We waited out a rainstorm for about an hour in the parking lot. It had rained a lot and the trail was fairly muddy. I wouldn't want to take it in anything other than hiking boots. When we came to the fork we went to the right. About two miles in, where the trial and the lake intersect we saw a fishing camp. I think these guys leave it up all summer. They had huge coolers, cots and pop up weekenders. About a quarter to a half mile further we took a light trail to the left and found our campsite. I have zero idea how it got there but it had an actual full size picnic table. There are no labeled campsites but if you pay attention you'll spot the side trails leading off from the main trail. The trail is incredibly well marked and even if it wasn't a blind person could follow it. You could take a large four wheeler if you had to. It rained all night so the trail was wet and muddy. There are some cool rock formations, some great water features and some good views of the lake. We came across an old stone building that was pretty cool. Some interesting signs along the trail about the history and region. We didn't see any mountain bikers or horse people but there were obvious signs that they use the trail. Trail had very little trash. Hiked it with full packs and even with the mud it was pretty easy. There were only two blow downs that blocked the trail. There were quite a few streams that crossed the trail, but we only had to put on our sandals for the very last one and I imagine if it hadn't rained so much we could've crossed it in our boots. Saw a box turtle, plenty of squirrels and chipmunks. Heard lots of birds.

This huge forest has a lot to offer and doesn't charge for admission!…read more Within the last couple months, I've hiked, camped, canoed, fished. Once I got there, there was no other charge. There are also horse trails that I saw people using. There are 200,000 Acres & 266 Miles of Hiking Trails here!

Showalter Fountain is one of IU's landmark locations. It also is super close to the accessible…read moreparking for IU Auditorium, so there was no way I was going to miss it during a recent Bloomington trip. Showalter Fountain includes a sculpted work from Ralph Laurent showing the mythical goddess Venue coming out of a clamshell (it's actually called "Birth of Venue"). The fountain is named after its benefactor - Grace Montgomery Showalter. It was installed in 1961. For those who remember IU's recent football championship (everyone), you'll likely remember that IU temporarily displaced bronze fish sculptures from this fountain to ensure no major hijinks going on. Laurent was born in France. He immigrated to the U.S. at age 20 to study under painter Hamilton Easter Field. He joined the IU faculty in 1942 and stayed there until retirement in 1961. Showalter Fountain isn't necessarily the fanciest fountain around, however, it's definitely one of IU's iconic landmarks in Bloomington. It was pretty cool to get to see it, especially because I didn't really plan the extra visit. I just looked up and it was there.

Pretty landmark fountain on campus. I love the mermaid theme and the fish around her. It's really…read morenice to walk past the fountain on hot days and feel the slight spray of water as you go by.

This was cool to see. I really enjoyed the pioneer Village when we visited Springdale Park. This…read morewas hammer historical gristmill and we definitely checked it out. Walked around all three floors and thought it was just an awesome thing to say.

Tony and I stopped at Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell, Indiana to see Hamer Spring Grist Mill…read moreThe water comes out of Hamer cave which supplied the water for the Spring Grist Mill and the Pioneer Village. Its not a bad hike back to the cave. Sometimes its underwater. The Historical Grist Mill is three stories tall and well built & maintained. Still in use. Located in Lawrence Co, Indiana. Also known as Hamer Mill, Spring Mill and Bullett Mill. Built 1817 Highly recommend that you visit this site and tour the Grist Mill. Its a museum inside on every level.

This is a stunning law library. We have been going around looking at law schools with our daughter…read more Visited Indiana University Maurer Law School and ran across their library...WOW. When you walk in the law school in Baier Hall, the law library is on the right...everything else (classrooms, faculty, administrative offices, etc.) is on the left. The library is five stories tall and wrapped around an atrium of the same height. There are soaring windows on the first two levels (mostly looking out onto peaceful Dunn Meadow), loads of various seating on all the floors (carrels, large tables, soft cushy lounge seats, etc.), small breakout rooms seemingly everywhere, and, of course, ranks and ranks of shelved books. The whole place is wired for easy connectivity and when added to their computer room, this library has everything the budding lawyers need. This law library is an attraction all by itself. Exceptional.

Gorgeous. Seriously beautiful campus/building. Helpful staff. Near Starbucks, if you like your…read morecaffeine. As is the case on most campuses, parking is tricky.

After finishing a trip to the Mathers Museum of World Culture, my wife and I selected a doorway…read morethat leads to the museum portion of the IU Archaeology department. They share the same building and although there is a separate entrance from the outside, we found it easiest to simply go through the doorway. Note that we didn't see anyone monitoring the museum during our visit, so we just browsed on our own. The museum is part of a larger area which includes a research library and even more exhibits in the central lobby area of the upstairs portion. (Note we did not explore the lower floor which looked off limits.) During our visit, we saw a lot of informational window booths with facts and artifacts that have been gathered from our state. There is a strong connection between this facility and the Angel Mounds in Evansville. There are several displays with information about the Angel Mounds and other mounds which were shaped like snakes, or marching bears. There are also windows with info on artwork inspired by animals, stands showing tribal shields with info, and science facts about animals that have lived in our state. The museum is unique in what it offers, but I understand that it won't appeal to everyone. But considering it is free and puts things into understandable relationships, it does offer value to those who may be interested in local history and/or nature. Review #2205

I'll admit that I just saw the pin and figured I would check this out but as I do my research to…read morewrite the review, these aren't just pretty gates. The concept of a gateway to mark the entrance to the campus dates back to 1932 but they didn't actually get installed until 1987. And ever since, they are the most iconic spot on campus. IU grads know what I'm talking about. So I'll just respectfully stop here and tell you that if you're visiting or perhaps you're an alumni, get your selfie or portrait right here. Every IU graduate know of here. [Review 20571 overall - 108 in Indiana - 1552 of 2023.]

I don't get down to Bloomington nearly as often as I used to, though when I do I nearly always find…read moremyself near the area of the iconic Sample Gates. Sample Gates mark the entrance to Indiana University in Bloomington, an already beautiful campus. I spent one lovely semester here and I spent quite a bit of time here back in those days because even after I left I continued dating an IU student. The Sample Gates were donated by Edson Sample, who was named director of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships while still an IU graduate student back in 1968. He obtained his M.S. in 1971. The gates are named for his parents, Louise Waite Sample and Kimsey Ownbey Sample Sr. Both were present at the dedication ceremony on June 13, 1987. He received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Education in 2017; in 2020, Sample received one of IU's most prestigious honors--the Bicentennial Medal--in recognition of his service and longstanding support of the university. The gates are always open. They are constructed of Indiana Limestone. The two pillars are at the edge of Old Crescent - the historic site of IU's first campus buildings built between1884-1908. If you visit IU, you'll see Sample Gates. Still beautiful. Still iconic. And, I must say, super amazing at night with a light rain in the area.

Beautiful fountain along Jordan Avenue by the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University…read more Especially wonderful at dusk or early evening when the fountain is illuminated which separates it from the building.

Big disclaimer. Libraries are for people, and university libraries are really for students, and I…read morewandered in with no intention of studying or getting information -- only to gawk and admire a showy display of botanical books as I kicked around campus. Given that the Lilly Library is set aside for rare books and special collections, it's probably not the favorite of most students. But this little place is a beaut, and we waltzed in, were greeted with nothing but smiles, and I just stumbled right across the room and there was that Gutenberg Bible staring right back at me, flanked by John Ford's Oscars and lovely Audubon prints and plenty of other nice items set out to tickle my fancy. Libraries should be publicly funded, not propped up by endowments from pharmaceutical companies, and that includes showy little libraries. But there are worse things you can do with a big pile of pharma money than to build a little palace for the people.

What an incredible collection! Free, and a true campus gem.read more