Yesterday took me to Marietta, Ohio to relax and nose around. Founded in 1788, Marietta was the first permanent settlement in the Ohio Territory. There is history everywhere and always something new to see. I try to do something different each visit and yesterday didn’t disappoint. I visited the Castle for a tour and checked out a couple of interesting public buildings.
The weather was gorgeous, perfect for wandering around and looking at stuff. The above pictured poster hung in a shop window. It reads “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.”
So that’s what I did. I looked at stuff, talked to people and thoroughly enjoyed the change of scenery.
The downtown area has a few ghost advertising pieces like this one and some murals too.
I got a kick out of this car parked in the Goodwill parking lot.
I have stories to share and will get to work on that tomorrow. For now, just remember that doing the things you enjoy is good for your health. It’s an investment in your well being. Since today is Saturday, I hope you find a way to let yourself be drawn to the things you love!
I stopped for a picture here because I just liked the scene. The viaduct and the Chug-A-Lug Pub sign make a shabby but eclectic combination. Truth is, Cambridge City, Indiana isn’t a city at all. Their population peaked at around 2,500 in 1970. Today, about 1,750 people call this quaint town home.
Located along the historic National Road, I have antiqued here before. When I was there in April, it was just to drive through – although I did meander off the beaten path for a few minutes.
There are several nice murals that tell the story of the town’s history.
I live in Vinton County so I always look for this place along the National Road.
Worshipers were beginning to arrive for services at the Methodist Church when I was passing through.
The place is just quaint and lovely and clearly a source of pride for its residents. It seems like a nice place to live and it’s proximity to Richmond and Indianapolis are a plus to me. Residents can access the culture, healthcare, jobs and other amenities of the cities while maintaining their small town lifestyle.
It’s one of several cute small towns along the National Road in Indiana. If you’re a road tripper, I recommend following this route to get a taste of the kind of Americana you’ll only find in small rural communities. It’s a special experience so hit the road, brake for pictures, stop for diner pie and, as always, enjoy the journey.
The first stop on this weekend’s Indiana road trip was in Muncie. A guy I went to high school with lives in Muncie now and kindly volunteered to give me a tour of his town.
The beautiful thing about seeing a place with a local is that they know their way around and can answer questions about local life. It was too rainy and cold to spend too much time outside but Justin did a great job showing me around.
Highlights of the day included lunch at Cammack Station which was once a filling station turned into a vintage gas and car themed wonderland. Then there was a visit to Minnetrista which is home to the Bob Ross Experience.
We also made a few stops for some cool photo ops.
Muncie is home to Ball State University. The college was founded by the five Ball brothers, industrialists and philanthropists who you may know for their Ball Canning Jars. They moved their manufacturing from Niagara Falls, New York to Muncie in 1887 during Indiana’s natural gas boom.
The Ball name is all over the city including at Minnetrista, a cultural center on the grounds of the old Ball family homes. All but one of their grand homes along the White River survive and some are open to the public for events and activities.
One was transformed into Bob Ross’ studio when he was filming his PBS program. That’s another story for another day.
The city was once a hub for car manufacturers too. Those good jobs dried up and the plants are long gone, leaving behind acres of industrial wasteland as far as the eye can see. They’re surrounded by a lot of struggling and closed businesses including the neighborhood watering holes where all those workers once gathered.
Still, car culture is alive and well in Muncie. There’s a car dealership, used car lot, auto parts store and mechanic on seemingly every corner. Car shows seem to be a regular occurrence here too.
The city boasts some gorgeous old homes, a lively downtown and plenty of things to do thanks to the university and the efforts of others to bring culture and fun to the community. That’s one of the best qualities of a college town.
I liked Muncie a lot. The mix of old and new is appealing. There are railroad tracks everywhere and opportunity to see trains at all hours. I was excited to see three trains, including one that held up traffic on a main thoroughfare for several minutes Saturday morning.
People here are friendly too. It’s easy to strike up a conversation. They want to know what brought you to town and are happy to help. Here I made friends with a couple in an antique mall and received help from someone at Indiana’s prized restaurant chain Pizza King.
I would absolutely like to return for another weekend when the weather is nicer. The Cardinal Greenway, Indiana’s longest rail trail, is calling my name and I would like to ditch the car for a walk around town. They have a festival in a historic neighborhood every September. That might be a good time for a visit.
Keep checking back. I’ll show you more about Muncie before we move on to the next stop on this road trip.
These patriotic murals inside the Point Pleasant, West Virginia flood wall are even more stunning in real life than pictured here.
Notice the ghostly humans here.
And the striking colors on this one!
They were completed in 2020 by someone named B. Rollins and are simply beautiful. They are right outside the American Legion and impossible to miss if you visit downtown Point Pleasant.
Marietta, Ohio has numerous restaurant options to suit any taste. From classic diners to Middle Eastern food to amazing Italian and everything in between, there is literally something for everyone.
One favorite spot is the Marietta Brewing Company, a busy staple on Front Street in the city’s historic downtown. They’ve been around since 1997 and are known for their family atmosphere and craft beer with delicious food.
I don’t drink but I like the atmosphere and I’ve never had a bad meal here. They do have a black bean burger but I opted for a fish sandwich with waffle fries. My meal was piping hot and, while the fish was fried, it was not at all greasy.
Exposed brick adorned with murals give the place character. The tile floors are pretty spectacular. What I saw and heard of the staff made me think they offer top notch service and my waitress was especially fantastic.
Get their menu here and check them out your next trip to Marietta. It’s worth the trip. While you’re in town, check out all the other fun things to see and do. I have written about a few here and you can find those stories by using the search bar to locate Marietta.
Denver has a vibrant arts scene and is teeming with murals. Some are elaborate, amazing works of art that are easily viewed from afar while others are tucked away in alleys and other right spaces. I mostly just enjoyed them from the car window but snapped a few pictures.
Here’s one I especially liked.
The colors really popped against the glass and steel buildings and the grey morning sky.
Public art, especially the well done kind, is one of my favorite things to look for when I travel.
