Indiana, Hill and Dale - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 654

3. Nashville
The folksy charm of Gnaw Bone, Bean Blossom, and other rural communities is a Brown
County stock in trade. But when people mention local color, they are probably referring to
the hillsides, where showtime takes place every spring and fall. First onstage are dogwood
and redbud trees costumed in white and pink. Then comes a rainbow of wildflowers that
slowly fades as autumn ushers in the finale: a blazing display of maples and oaks glowing
like embers at the edge of winter.
A gathering place for artists, Nashville has antique shops, art galleries, and craft stores.
Taste the famous fried biscuits at Nashville House, listen to the spinners of tall tales on Li-
ar's Bench outside the old courthouse, and in June attend the Bill Monroe Memorial Bean
Blossom Bluegrass Festival, the oldest festival in the world dedicated to Monroe's “high
lonesome” bluegrass songs.
4. Brown County State Park
A few miles east of town, Rte. 46 leads to Brown County State Park. Once across the
covered bridge at its entrance, visitors here can explore nearly 16,000 acres of pristine
woodland. Lakes and streams are plentiful here, and you can always find a place to ride a
horse, hike a shady trail, or catch a glimpse of migrating teal or other waterfowl.
5. Story
The drive turns southward on State Road 135, following a twisting course lined with thick
stands of trees and daisy-dotted meadows. Soon you will come to the resurrected ghost
town of Story, founded in 1851. Riders in horse-drawn carts once stopped at Story to buy
supplies and swap tales. Now visitors come to take in the old-time ambience of the village
at Story Inn. Housed in the early country store, the inn now offers comfy accommodations
and a gourmet restaurant. Call for reservations.
6. Starve Hollow State Recreation Area
FollowStateRoad135throughBrownstowntoStarveHollow.Wildturkeys,ruffedgrouse,
deer, and raccoons are among the denizens of this recreation area. To learn about the anim-
als, stop at the Driftwood Nature Center; then you might spot some of them in the wild as
youwalkalongthenaturetrails.StarveHollowLake,thearea'scenterpiece,isstockedwith
catfish, bluegills, and bass, while dozens of prime campsites nestle along the shores. Back
onRte.135,thedrivecurvespastsmallfieldsandhillsdeckedwithoak,poplar,maple,and