There is a town that is Christmas all year round. That would be Santa Claus, IN probably better known for being the home of Holiday World. The theme park was the brain child of a man who stumbled across the town of Santa Claus and was struck that children were disappointed that there was a town named after Old Saint Nick, but that he didn't live there. Enter Santa Claus Land, one of the first theme parks in America. The town itself embraces all things Christmas now with Santa Claus Museum and Village answering thousands of letters a year sent from children trying to get a word in with Santa. The museum is small and chronicles the history of the creation of what is now Holiday World with Santa's Office and the original post office in town serving as the place to get in touch with Santa. There is also an original church from the town on the premises and a giant Santa statue from the 1930s. You should also definitely check out Santa's Candy Castle down the road with it's wealth of retro candy (and also an incredibly nice owner). Saint Meinrad Archabbey is also nearby and well worth a stop both for the beautiful grounds and the nice gift shop.
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Fresh from a road trip through southern Indiana, Hemlock Cliffs stands out as an interesting hike into Hoosier National Forest. The hike boasts the impressive feature of the Rock Shelter, a Native American site that nature has carved out of the limestone cliffs of the area. The hike is through a box canyon and is supposed to boast two waterfalls, but they are wet weather and when we saw them they were unfortunately dry. There are a wealth of pretty wildflowers on the hike and the rock formations are well worth seeing. Fairly easy to find and not too strenuous (though it could be quite a challenge if there was rain considering how slick the rocks were) this is a recommended hike.
Something I was unaware of was that Beatrix Potter was a naturalist first and a children's author second. The Frist has been running an exhibit of her artwork for the titular Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggywinkle, Jeremy Fletcher, and many more of her famous characters. They are also showcasing Potter's meticulous nature drawings that she started making as a child. Potter's work is some of the most charming I've ever seen with Mrs. Tiggywinkle being a personal favorite. It's shocking to realize all of these famous stories and pictures came from a woman just trying to find a way to make a little extra money (she originally started making Christmas cards as a way to make some money and was encouraged to expand her inventory).
Every so often the Mother Church of country will offer behind the scenes ghost tours. The guide stated that this is the one time when locals far outnumber tourists on a tour. While the tour isn't the longest for ghost tour normality, you do get to go where no one else does on a normal basis. We got to go under the stage and in the dressing room of the headliner of the show. Supposedly haunted by ghosts of a Confederate soldier, the former manager of the Ryman and Hank Williams Sr, if you can get into town when a ghost tour is going on at the Ryman it's worth getting a close up on one of the most famous land marks in Tennessee.
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AuthorA librarian doing the travel. Archives
May 2024
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