From Burnout to Balance
bucolic rural midwestern scenery. Start at French Lick Hotel and ride the trolley to West Baden for a guided hotel tour. Holding the title of America’ s largest freestanding dome until the completion of the Houston Astrodome, the public space at West Baden is a stunner. Sadly, the springs were capped years ago at West Baden, but a walk through the gardens past the old spring sites offers a glimpse into a bygone era in healthcare and healing.
Albany. The history that surrounds the Culbertson, including The Second Baptist Church(“ Town Clock Church”) that served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, is as fascinating as the mansion itself. No walking tour is complete without lunch and New Albany boasts a burgeoning restaurant scene. Best of all, for our readers, at the end of the afternoon home is likely under 20 minutes away.
Both hotels welcome the public to wander the grounds, hike on marked trails, and relax in rocking chairs on the hotel porches, so keep your pace slow. Options abound to finish an afternoon with a cocktail or an ice cream at the hotel watering holes, though one could also choose to wander into town, as my kids and I did on our visit, to enjoy a simpler pleasure, a DQ Blizzard. Savoring a sunny day of history, hiking and ice cream, my son noted aloud, red plastic Blizzard spoon in his mouth,“ This was a good day.”
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Culbertson Mansion and historic walking tour, New Albany, Indiana
Just across the river from West Louisville is the remarkably intact 19th century town of New Albany, including a National Historic District“ Mansion Row.” The crown jewel of this section of Main Street is the Culbertson Mansion. Completed in 1869, the 20,000 square foot home was constructed in the Second Empire style and is continuously undergoing restoration to appear as it did at the time of completion. Compared to more contemporary late 19th century homes across the river, more commonly decorated with stone and wood carvings, one sees the uniquely frescoed and hand-painted ceilings of the Culbertson Mansion. The ceilings remain in a state of restoration but are fascinating to observe in their evolution back to their former grandeur.
After the mansion tour, grab a walking map of downtown New
Rose Island, Charlestown State Park, Indiana
While known by affluent east enders for Rose Island Road in Prospect, the actual Rose Island is across the river at the foot of Fourteen Mile Creek in Charlestown State Park. Rose Island( actually a peninsula bordered on one side by the Ohio) was originally a popular church picnic destination, with an escape from the city in the late 19th century. The park was developed as an amusement park in the 1920s but was ultimately destroyed by the 1937 flood. The paved trail to the site( Trail # 7) is steep, descending toward the abandoned amusement park. The trail then flattens out and crosses Fourteen Mile Creek on a truss bridge, looping through the ruins and foundations of the former park buildings and swimming pool. Sweeping views of Prospect, KY, across the Ohio, are visible while wandering( and wondering) through the ruins. The site contains many historical markers with vintage photos and is nothing short of fascinating. However, there is a slightly eerie feeling, walking amongst the ruins of a once bustling site, now slowly being reclaimed by the forest. Nevertheless, the hike and exploration are great for children and adults alike, where your imagination of bygone times can run wild.
Autumn is the ideal time to get out and enjoy what our region has to offer. Make the time to take a break, breathe in the cool air and make your own discoveries.
Dr. Kolter is an internist with Baptist Health.
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