Indianapolis, Indiana

[Mark Sedenquist]

I haven't heard anything about that. It was a shame when the one on the state fairgrounds closed. A bit of Googling turned up this website, but it's strangely silent about any actual physical museum.

I thought that they still open the shop on the Fairgrounds during each state fair. Actually, your googling was helpful -- I found a reference to Jim Rogers with this incarnation of the Hooks Organization and have flashed a message off to them.

According to your article, the new museum was supposed to have been downtown on south Meridian St. Coincidentally, I spent quite a bit of time walking around south Meridian St. a few weekends ago--I wasn't specifically looking for the drugstore museum, but I don't recall seeing anything of that sort.

I think it is likely that the project foundered, but I will still see what I can find out.

Mark

[AZBuck]

OK, if you're going to be in Center Harbor anyway, then definitely continue north a bit on NH-25 and NH-109 to Center Sandwich and either look carefully for the directional signs or inquire locally for the Sandwich Notch Road. This is a dirt road that heads up through the southern portions of the White Mountains eventually rejoining paved highway (NH-49) near Waterville Valley. The road is easily handled by a typical sedan, no 4WD required, but gets you back into a section of the wooded mountains that the tourists never see. Too bad you're not doing this over Columbus Day Weekend!

For roadside kitsch at its best (no, that's not an oxymoron) stop at Clark's Trading Post outside Lincoln, and then a little farther north in Franconia Notch hike up into the Flume (well worth the admission and hike) and then shed a tear at the former site of the Old Man of the Mountain.

There are, amazingly, only 8 covered bridges left in the entire state of Maine and most of these are well off your general route. But there are still many left in northern New Hampshire and Vermont. The greatest concentration of them is in the area just south of Barre/Montpelier and they are marked on the official state highway map - be sure to get a copy.

I could go on and on. I've spent many summers (and winters) in this area and will, in fact be back there myself over the 4th of July. If you want more suggestions, just let me know what interests you the most. In fact, I just put together an approximately 100 page package for my brother (who has a summer home in the White Mountains) on things to do. It includes a listing of every covered bridge within 2 hours of Littleton, for example.

In return, I'd appreciate some suggestions on what to do in Shreveport, since I'll be spending one evening/night there on my way east, and am looking to take a 30-45 minute walk to get the flavor of the city before turning in.

AZBuck

[Chuck C]

I thought that they still open the shop on the Fairgrounds during each state fair.

You may be right about that--I haven't been to the state fair in ages.

[lhuff]

In return, I'd appreciate some suggestions on what to do in Shreveport, since I'll be spending one evening/night there on my way east, and am looking to take a 30-45 minute walk to get the flavor of the city before turning in.

I hate to say it, but Shreveport isn't a city best enjoyed at night. I can think of tons of things to do during the day. My best suggestion would be to either stay at one of the casinos or in a hotel in Bossier City. Shreveport has very few hotels/motels and those tend to be pricey .

I would take a walk along the Riverfront on both the Shreveport and Bossier sides of the Red River. The Shreveport Riverfront is nice along Clyde Fant Parkway. There are three or four casinos along this street and a nice waterfront park. I scoped out the Bossier Boardwalk side last night (it just opened last Friday). It's very nice. Lots of shops including a Bass Pro Shop (don't know if you're into that or not) and a very nice walkway along the river.

If it's still light when you arrive I would suggest walking in downtown Shreveport (about two blocks from Clyde Fant). I've seen people walking around with booklets so I think the Tourist Bureau must have printed up a walking tour of the area. Just get off at the Spring Street Exit from I-20 and the building is gaudily painted with LA stuff (you can't miss it). It's at the corner of Spring and Milam(?).

I do not, however, suggest walking in the downtown area after dark. Shreveport is slowly recovering from having been the most violent city in the US with lots of trouble from LA Gangs, etc. That coupled with the Oil bust almost made this a ghost town. It's safe during the day, but there are still parts of town that I won't go to after dark (downtown being one of them).

Are you coming in on I-20? A beautiful route is to get off I-20 around Longview, Texas or before and drive Highway 80 with runs parallel to the Interstate. There are several places after Marshall, Texas and again in Shreveport where you can catch the Interstate again (They're well marked). Highway 80 takes you through lots of small East Texas Towns and gives you a good feel for the region.

[lhuff]

Mark - Will do on the field report from Patternworks.

[AZBuck]

Thanks for the warnings and the suggestions. Looks like I'll be enjoying the riverfront parks in either city - they seem to suit my desires. And although I need to stick pretty much to the Interstates for the western portions of the trip, if time permits, I'll certainly check out the parallel portions of US-80 that you suggest.

Thanks again

AZBuck

[vermilye]

If you are looking for Lighthouses, check out Lighthouse Stickers

Also, I'd take the time to hop over to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls...