My boys and I made our more-or-less annual trek to Turkey Run State Park the other day. We couldn’t have had better weather – sunny and 80.
Even though I’ve made countless trips to Turkey Run State Park over the past 20 years, and have therefore received countless trail maps at the entrance, this was the first time I noticed the spot labeled “Old Highway Bridge” on the map. So of course we went looking for it. Trail 6 takes you right under it. I’ve never had this kind of view of a bridge before!
Trail 6 is in and along the creek after which the park gets its name. I was in my own little world snapping shots of this bridge when shplorp! I learned that a Saucony Grid Jazz 2006 running shoe can soak up a considerable amount of water.
Trail 11 carries you over the bridge, which was built in 1914. That’s two years before this land became a state park. I am very curious to know what road this bridge carried, but the Internet is silent on the matter.
Update 3 Sept 2010: I have learned that this bridge carried an early alignment of State Road 47. Bridgehunter.com has some details.
My sons indulged my bridgehunting for a short time but soon wanted to move along. We came to Sunset Point and took in the view of Sugar Creek.
We also became acquainted, in a way, with one Carl Crune of Purdue’s Class of 1915.
My sons wanted to follow Trail 10, so we crossed the suspension bridge and were on our way.
Trail 10 is just a walk in the woods, but it empties out into the rocks and running water of Trail 3. Check out this view.
The jutting formation on the left is called Wedge Rock.
Both of my shoes were soaked by the time we got out of here!
It was a pretty busy weekday at the park. Wet feet all around!
