| October is prime time for Brown County, Indiana, one | | | | items, glass, art galleries, artisan work and niche |
| of the most scenic places in the Midwest. With | | | | shops predominate, with ice cream and snack-type |
| massive 2nd-growth forests covering the rolling hills | | | | shops dotted in between. Still, it's a unique Indiana |
| and the winding roads revealing breathtaking vistas, | | | | retail experience, full of Indiana stores that are |
| it's no wonder that traffic jams--rare in rural | | | | owned and operated locally. Indiana shopping that is |
| Indiana--are in full force during the peak of "leaf" | | | | totally eclectic, if not as exciting as it used to be for |
| season. | | | | antique lovers and collectors. |
| As I write this, that peak is right now. It's been a | | | | Walking in Nashville is a real treat as long as it's not |
| colder than usual fall, but the leaves seem to be | | | | too crowded. One of my favorite places is the candy |
| cooperating. I recommend a weekday trip as | | | | store, just around the corner from the main |
| weekends usually bring the awful traffic. Go on the | | | | intersection. I love to get salt water taffy there. |
| weekends if you must, but don't say I didn't warn | | | | Another Indiana shop that many will be glad to find is |
| you. | | | | The Toy Chest, especially since Indiana toy stores |
| Meantime, what I really want to write about is | | | | are in such short supply these days. |
| Nashville, the little burg that anchors this lovely | | | | One longtime treasure that you won't be able to |
| county. For many years the home of artists, | | | | visit, at least this year, is the Nashville Little Opry, |
| musicians and back-to-nature types, the store | | | | which burned down in a fire in late September, 2009. |
| selection has changed over time. Gone, for the most | | | | No word yet on whether the country music landmark |
| part, are the junk shops, antique stores and second | | | | will be rebuilt, but the preliminary cause of the fire |
| hand stores. I miss them, but you can still find a lot | | | | was determined to be arson. |
| of antiques and flea market items as you go east on | | | | So...plan your trip to Nashville, Indiana. Just remember |
| Highway 46 towards Columbus. Gnawbone has two | | | | that you'll need to plan ahead to secure a hotel |
| good weekend flea markets. | | | | reservation or a cabin in Brown County. Some |
| Meantime, shopping in Nashville has become more of | | | | weekends are booked well in advance. |
| a specialty boutique experience. Lots of decorative | | | | |