There’s a beauty to Indiana that one can only appreciate by experiencing it. Further, you won’t notice it while driving 70 miles per hour on one of our four-lane freeways. Instead, you have to travel the back roads, away from the masses of humanity to value the subtleties that make our state unique.
One of our first purchases after moving to Indiana was a county map of the state. It’s boring to drive the same route on every trip and with a county map we discovered some places that the outside world has yet to uncover — places like Wawpecong, Speicherville, Yeddo, Terhune and Anoka. Along the way we discovered some quaint towns, some conversation pieces, several timesaving shortcuts and a few spots that ought to stay hidden. Know what I mean?
A recent discovery includes an out-of-the-way creek that is filled with smallmouth bass. A friend from church called and instead of fishing one of the more popular waterholes where everybody else fishes, we waded down a nearby creek, a creek I have driven past for nearly seven years.
This particular creek isn’t deep enough to float a canoe, but smallmouth bass reside there in abundance. In a little over two hours while wading less than a mile, we caught more than 50 fish. The largest one was 18.5 inches long and weighed three pounds, but we released our catch so they could be caught again, hopefully by us, before you find our spot.
It wasn’t until later that I realized how enjoyable that morning had been. No traffic, no phone, no e-mail, no pager, no iPod, no one knocking at the door and no one asking me to do something I didn’t want to do. Just me, a friend, a cool stream, several snakes and a half-dozen lost lures that somehow ended up in tree branches. And it didn’t cost us a dime (except for replacing the lures).
As fate would have it, I had two hours to kill last Sunday so I headed back to the creek. The fishing was just as good, the weather was absolutely spectacular and for nearly 45 minutes I followed two pairs of eagles down the creek as I methodically fished one small pool of water after another. The only place you can experience that in Indianapolis is the zoo.
In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he included a paragraph for those who are rich, individuals who might be tempted to trust in their wealth instead of God. That warning includes a reminder that God “provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17, NIV).
One reality of life that we seldom recognize is that we have everything we need right in our own backyard. We think, however, that there’s nothing to do unless we leave town. With gas costing $4 a gallon, with the stock market in a free fall, with prices escalating beyond our control, isn’t it time to enjoy the benefits of life off the beaten path — and right outside our backdoor?
Tony Thomas is a church pastor, a high school basketball coach and author of "A Smidgeon of Religion." He can be reached through the newspaper at ptnews@pharostribune.com
Local Columnists
Related Photos
Discussion
Take a trip along the back roads
- Local Columnists
-
-
de la Bastide: IndyCar had right idea but wrong execution
There’s an old saying “don’t throw the baby out with the bath water” and it fits the ongoing discussion since Saturday night’s twin Firestone races at Texas Motor Speedway for the IZOD IndyCar series.
-
Americans should stand up against proposed mosque
Local Columnist Joe Bowyer writes about the proposed mosque at ground zero.
-
Winamac High School opening doors
Local columnist Dave Kitchell looks back at the last 100 years.
-
A good idea for shrinking the government
Local columnist Joe Bowyer talks politics.
-
General Baden-Powell founder of Scouting
Local columnist Richard Copeland writes about the foudner of Scouting.
-
Hoarding habit not easy to break
I don’t think I’d qualify as a hoarder.
A slob, sure; but a hoarder? No way.
Hoarders are in a league unto themselves. And if you don’t believe me, watch an episode of TLC’s “Hoarders: Buried Alive.” -
Absence says something, even if school board doesn’t
Is she or isn’t she?
That was the line one hair product manufacturer once used to promote a women’s hair color product.
For the past week, that question could be asked in the Logansport Community School Corporation Administration Building. -
Christmas has become too rushed
Local columnist Tony Thomas feels people should remember to enjoy the anticipation of Christmas.
-
Horseshoe champion crowned
Local columnist Dave Kitchel looks back at headlines from the last 100 years.
-
There is always a ‘put’ to make up for every 'take'
Local columnist Joe Bowyer reflects back to his childhood.
- More Local Columnists Headlines
-
de la Bastide: IndyCar had right idea but wrong execution
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
