Bridges...and more bridges

Speaking of road trips, this weekend the parents and I took a road trip to see the covered bridge festival in Parke County, Indiana. It was magnificent, breathtaking, and oh so refreshing to get away for a night.

See, when I was growing up my parents had never taken my sister and I on random vacations so road trips were completely foreign to me. My dad has never been someone to just hit the road and see where the wind takes us! He is meticulous at planning exactly where we'll be down to the minute, which route to take, how many gas stops there'll be, including which parking spot is best! Okay so that may be an exaggeration (well, a slight exaggeration), but honestly there's no messing around with him. He has a purpose and doesn't like to dilly-dally along the way. I, of course, am the exact opposite and very prone to wandering (which he hates, by the way). So you can imagine my extreme shock when I suggested a fall excursion for the weekend and he went along with it!

Parke County, Indiana has a festival every year to celebrate their covered bridges. Each town sets up their own unique arts and crafts, while visitors drive from bridge to bridge through incredible scenery, stopping in town along the way. It really is an amazing experience and the fall colors will have you in awe. We did take this trip right in the midst of the busiest time of the year for me, and although I was stressed beyond belief, it was exactly what I needed to get my head straight.

 

The first covered bridge we drove through.

A visit to Turkey Run.

We came across an adorable little boxer who insisted on playing a game of troll. He was the troll and we were the unsuspecting travelers waiting to pass his bridge. After much barking, tire biting, and chasing of our car, he finally stepped aside to let us pass.

Bridgeton mill is the oldest continuously operating mill in Indiana. They make all of their flour there and the pumpkin bread was to die for!

Bridgeton had an adorable selection of crafts and antique shops.

The first day was cloudy and rainy, but the colors were beautiful nonetheless.

The haunted bridge was perhaps my favorite. I'm a total sucker for anything with a lot of history behind it and this bridge did give off an eerie atmosphere.

Plus that's where we found this little darlin'. I wanted to wrap her up and take her with us. I'm convinced she was there to protect any passersby from haunted spirits.

After day two of our getaway, we visited my sister at college and headed home later that night. Sorry for the long, rambly post, but I thought I'd share our mini vacation with you.

What do you do to refresh your mind?