Every time I go, I say something to myself like, “this is all wonderful, but I’ve seen all there is to see, I probably won’t be back.” And I visit again! It just never gets old.

I’ve had that happen on many occasions and it’s wonderful. Outside of the busy tourist season, which is about May through late August, it can be pretty sparse. One evening it was just me with Village lights, very surreal!

My pleasure, Jason!

Thank-you!

Thanks, Daniel! This is what it’s all about: creating memories! 🙂

Thank-you!

Thank-you!

My favorite park on earth! So many great memories!

My pleasure!

My favorite state park, nothing else like it in Indiana.

There are persimmon trees as you leave the parking lot to the village, right after the bridge. Ate a persimmon raw one year.

Always a good day at Spring Mill! I can be in a bad mood, walk through the village, and it’s like I’ve been renewed. Would recommend to anyone. 🙂

Simply the best!

I love Spring Mill when it’s virtually empty, especially in the fall! Some of my life’s best memories!

Thank-you again, Gerald!

I had just got out of college, and was down in the dumps because I couldn’t score a job. My Mother said, “You’re in a rut, we need to go somewhere.” So we went to Spring Mill State Park, and it totally changed my perspective. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve returned. 🙂

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been there! Every time I go, I say something like “probably the last time I’ll come here, nothing new to see.” And then I visit again, and have a great time. 🙂

Just a wonderful gem of a place!

My pleasure, Colleen! It’s a great park all year round, but I especially love it in the spring and fall. At Christmas time, they have “Christmas at the village”, where people come out of an evening to tour the cabins, sing Christmas carols, and enjoy the beauty of a warm, glowing fireplace. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited this wonderful park, would recommend to anyone!

Find a free moment and go! So many of my best times were the result of a spur-of-the-moment road trip. 🙂

I’ve been in many caves, but Donaldson is the only one where I’ve seen fog. Very cool phenomenon!

Everyone should visit Spring Mill State Park, at least once in their life. But if they do, it probably won’t be the last!

Truly my favorite Indiana state park! So much there, and so well done. Lots of people have made videos about it, but everyone brings their own unique version to the world. In a little while the colors will be outstanding!

Thank-you, Brian! My folks grew up in Lawrence County, and I’ve enjoyed exploring and learning the area. Brian Turpen was wonderful to work with, and he supplied so much depth to the 3 part Dr Foote project! And I didn’t even know of Brian, until I started assembling facts for the film: an unknown relative! Joyce at the museum told me I should get in touch with Brian, he’d been researching Dr Foote for decades. I was so glad I did! 🙂

Probably the most beautiful event I ever attended was “Christmas at the village”. No lights, just old buildings with roaring fires inside, and so many nice people. 🙂

Thank-you, Jay!

Truly my favorite park!

@@AdventureswithRoger yes, and I've been looking at your channel and see so many places I'd love to explore whenever I get free time from farm and work life, lol, thanks for the inspiration.

My definite pleasure! I love finding interesting places along Indiana’s backroads

Thank-you, Edward!

I love Cataract Falls! There are other good ones in Indiana, but it’s my favorite. 🙂

Truly one of my favorite places on earth! I remember being a young man, life wasn’t going anywhere, and Mom said, “You’re in a rut. We need to get out and go somewhere.” So we came to Spring Mill, and it was just what I needed! I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited, since that day. I brought dates and friends hiking here, and still visit when my mind just needs a break.

Thank-you Steven! The good news is that the trail to the village is flat and paved. That means that no matter how old I get, I can either walk or be pushed through the village! Just a sensational place!

@@AdventureswithRoger That is good to know.

I’d went to Pioneer Mothers Forest a few weeks ago, just outside Paoli. As the story goes, the family would never allow logging, and it’s some of the best preserved old growth forest in the state. It’s also the site of a prehistoric village, though there’s nothing left to see.

My pleasure! I have a cousin, in her 90’s, that says I bring back good memories of places that she, and others, used to know, but can’t go. It’s my honor to show these places! 🙂

You can park on the south side of the bridge by the lake and walk to Donaldson Cave. Fun to walk along the creek.

The time before this hike, I swore I’d never go to Donaldson again. It really winded me, and I thought maybe my hiking days were coming to a close. But, having lost over 40 pounds, this trail was not bad at all, just a little pacing required. I can only wonder if the main trail to Rose Island, at Charlestown State Park, is easier now.

I know where Whistling Cave is, but have only seen pictures. I’ve never seen anything about Saltpeter Cave, it’s like they covered the entrance when they built the hotel, and all was forgotten!

@@AdventureswithRoger have you ever checked out Henderson Park, also a beautiful park. Smooth trails and has 3 caves, one cave has about a 300ft stand up walk that goes straight to a massive water fall. Super cool to see.

Had not heard of that one, and I’ve been all over Salem! I’m most familiar with the cave behind Becks Mill, that used to be a tourist cave. A friend of mine is president of a grotto, I’m almost sure that he’s showed me pictures of a cave at Henderson Park, but he only identifies counties when he posts. I can’t blame him. Some of the wild caves I’ve come across have been defaced by careless people.

It is a gem, Gina! And, so much other stuff is within 30 minutes or less: Bluespring Caverns boat ride, West Baden Springs, Jug Rock, Bluffs of Beaver Bend, the Christmas Store, Candy Castle, Historic Santa Claus post office, Holiday World, Lincoln Boyhood home national memorial, Wilstem Ranch, Corydon and the three other show caves!

@@AdventureswithRoger sounds absolutely amazing ☺️

@@ginamaria2579 about three videos from now, I’m going to compile an overview video, of some of my favorite southern Indiana places.

I love finding hidden histories and backstories, thank you for sharing this! I always sit back after I do these films, and think, “maybe I missed something, maybe I should’ve done this or that differently.” The few things I would’ve likely added, was his direct civil war service story, his time in exotic Turkey, dealings with Billie the kid, and his love of the Kankakee. But, if it at least gets people go to see the study, and learn more, maybe it worked like it should. I always feel like I could have done more! 🙂

@@AdventureswithRoger you always do good. But it doesn't hurt to get cool old books! They even have maps!

Absolutely! A few weeks ago, I had an old map that clearly identified Indian mounds, so went out to find them. Talk about dirt roads known only to pioneers! 😂 It was really something, and made me think, “how many miles do I have on this car, and will I make it home tonight?” It was great fun!

Serendipity: I have filmed a segment about Nashville, will be posting sometime in the next week! Really quickly though: 1) Look up Brown County Music Center online: they have many popular acts coming to town, and it’s a great way to spend an evening 2) Also, Brown County Playhouse, a Brown County entertainment staple, on the strip 3) You’ll want to stay local, and there’s several options, from renting a cabin, The Brown County Inn with huge indoor pool, or the premier choice: staying inside Brown County State Parks Abe Martin Lodge. They have a nice buffet, that some people visit without even staying at the lodge. 4) Brown County State Park. It opens up with the only double portal covered bridge, and has great high up views, places to picnic, hiking trails and even a place to get a horse trail ride. Pony rides are also available for little ones. Outdoor pool is on the premises, as well as two lakes. They have a fun nature center, where you can see bees at work (behind glass), and a tall fire tower you can climb. In fall, the park is packed due to the beautiful fall colors. 5) Bill Monroe Bluegrass Music Museum 6) Brown County Historical Society Village and museum 7) TC Steele historic art studio in the woods 8) Lots and lots of artsy, fun window shopping, fair style food, and sit down restaurants in downtown Nashville. It’ll remind you of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. My favorite eatery is Brozzini’s Pizzeria, they even have gluten free crusts! 9) On weekends in good weather, there are tons of large flea / antique markets just east of Nashville, both sides of the road. 10) Just southeast of town is the historic Story Inn and pub, a popular stop in the country. You can stay upstairs, but be advised: it’s haunted! 11) Southwest of Story, on horrible roads (ie don’t drive over 20 mph if you love your suspension), is Browning Mountain. It’s bit of a steep climb to the top, but up there are the ruins of what some people call “the Hoosier Stonehenge”. 12) Bean blossom covered bridge. Do not use the road from the south, it’s incredibly steep and hazardous. Coming from the north is much much safer. Lots of fun to be had in Brown County!

Thanks for the wonderful advice. I’ve been following your videos. My daughter, grandson and I spend a lot of time in southern Indiana and really enjoy your trips. Hoping to get my friends hooked when I bring them to Nashville in August. Your help is much appreciated.

No worries and glad to do it! 🙂

It's a historical site. It's a shame everyone is entitled these days...

There’s a pool.

I swam through one of the cave tunnels. To go farther into the cave tunnel you had to swim through a stream. During summer it is refreshing.

It actually was a ghost town at one point. A few buildings were moved there during renovation, most notably granny’s cabin.

@@AdventureswithRoger Please cite some verifiable sources for this outlandish claim.

@@mikeamos6720 Here’s from the states own brochure. “Ghost town” is actually the words they used. “The Village You See Today In the late 1890s the mill at Spring Mill Village was abandoned. For the next few decades, neglect and nature transformed Spring Mill into a ghost town. The millwheel rotted away. Roofs collapsed. The surrounding forest crept in from the edges. In the late 1920s, the State of Indiana took over the village as part of its newest state park. Workmen began the laborious task of restoring the village to its former appearance. But what was its former appearance? Several buildings referred to in old records were completely gone. Other buildings were no more than piles of decayed timbers. The restoration of Spring Mill is a story of exhaustive research and some educated guesses. A few buildings were brought from other locations. Others were built from scratch on their original locations. Many, however, are the original structures on their original foundations. In every case, a great deal of thought and work went into the village’s restoration.” Article here: www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/files/sp-spring_mill_history.pdf

@@AdventureswithRoger It's interesting that the park's own brochure doesn't mention anything about a "ghost town".