Hoosier Burn Camp 2013 Ride

It was a perfect day to ride 90 miles up to Brookston, IN from Anderson, IN for the Hoosier Burn Camp Visitor's Day at Camp Tecumseh. We headed West out Historic 8th Street before joining up with other bikers, and ABATE photographer Maelene Grenat, to ride into camp together with other bikers. The kids were lined up and waved to all of us as we rode through the camp. After we parked, then they rode on fire trucks to meet us. After the kids sang and did motions to camp songs, there were tours of the camp. There were many fireman there with equipment for the kids to see, and even some firehouse dogs! We saw where the kids stay, ride horses, swim, garden, and have all kind of fun in this week provided for them. The kids are burn victims ages 8-18. There were firetruck lifts to give kids a ride high in the air. I've wanted to see the camp, since it is where the funds have gone  from the ABATE charity gearcheck which I've been privileged to volunteer for these last couple of years. The combination of kids, bikers, firemen and food was a great time for a great cause! Thanks to all who made this possible!

West Baden,French Lick Ride

 

 

I've wanted to visit the French Lick/West Baden area for years, so we decided that it would be a great ride destination. Getting there from east central Indiana took us south and west on Indiana Highways 9 through Greenfield, 44 through Franklin, 37 past Bloomington, and 56 into the Hoosier Forrest. The hills, curves and forest make for excellent riding scenery. You will pass through the Limestone Capital of the world, Bedford Indiana, and you will know it by the signs and rock formation displays. The limestone mined around Bedford is of the quality that has made it good enough to be used in the Pentagon, the Empire State Building, the Builtmore Estate and the Washington National Cathedral.
Many have been draw toward this area of southwest Indiana over it's more than 100 years of rich history. The mineral springs were believed to be curative to bath in and drink. Several smaller hotels sprang up, but the two large hotels now standing, West Baden Springs Hotel, and French Lick Resort, are fully renovated and worth some time to stop and take a look to stretch your legs from the ride. Here's a bit of history. The 1855 Mile Lick Hotel burned in 1901, and was rebuilt at great cost in 1902 with the famous 'world's largest dome.' After the stock market crash in 1929, business declined and the hotel closed in 1932. In 1934 Jesuits bought the hotel for $1 and used it as a seminary until 1964. After years of neglect and attempts at preservation, it reopened in 2006-2007 as resort and casino.
You will definitely want to park in the designated motorcycle parking behind West Baden Springs Hotel and walk through the gardens and paths. Also, a short ride down the street is the French Lick Resort. Across the street is a square with restaurants, French Lick Harley Davidson store (no Harleys, except one on display) with T-shirts, other clothing and merchandise. We parked just beyond the square on Maple Street at a Bar and Grill called 22 Brink street, and enjoyed a pork chop  dinner surrounded by sports memorabilia, including much from Larry Byrd. If you haven't had enough riding in by the time you've seen all this, take and extra loop through even more the Hoosier National Forrest by going around Patoka land and the hills and twists by taking 145 South, 164 West, 545 North and back on 56 East. This is the perfect ride and destination for lots of relaxing and getting away from it all, so you may want to take a few days here!





 

 

Review: Firehouse BBQ & Blues

 

The Firehouse BBQ & Blues is quite the combination of food, atmosphere, and fun. It is housed in a two story 1860 Firehouse in the middle of old downtown Richmond, Indiana. Richmond firefighters Tom Broyles and Rick Bolen began the painstaking renovation of the building in 2009. The firehouse still has all kinds of nostalgic touches, including the fire pole (sorry, you can’t slide down it!) There’s a dining room with stage, where live music was playing the evening we were there.  The bar is in the next section, and there is a 2^nd floor banquet hall just up an open antique oak stairway. The old building and atmosphere alone draw a crowd, but sit down and get ready for outstanding BBQ smoked on site in a traditional ‘low and slow’ method. The brisket was tender, juicy, with a great smoky flavor. The ribs were just as tender (fall off the bone tender) juicy and flavorful. I haven’t found better anywhere. You will want to go here several times, and get in on the other items: pulled pork, wings, wraps, BBQ chicken breasts, Jalapeno sausage, firehouse chili, loaded baked potatoes, salads, and homemade sides like cheesy potatoes, baked beans, scalloped cabbage, and potato salad. The Firehouse is also biker friendly. It has biker nights on some Tuesdays, with food and drink specials and a blues band. There were about 2-3 dozen bikes the night we were there, and the outside seating was the perfect place to meet and greet, while those not arriving on bikes tended to eat inside. All this is served up by a great friendly staff intent on making your time here so enjoyable, you’ll find yourself wanting to stay long and return soon. You can find the Firehouse at 400 North 8^th Street, Richmond Indiana, 47374.  Open 11-9 Monday –Thursday;  11-12 Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday. Carry Out Available 765.488.0312