mobilene

On that trip to Madison last month with many thanks to Chris Rowland's excellent Madison State Road sleuthing, we were rolling down what I'm pretty sure is an old alignment of US 31 when we stopped to look at a narrow bridge. This bridge is typical in style of those built on Indiana highways from the late teens to the early thirties, but most of the ones I see have only one or two arches. The ones that remain are on old alignments and the most minor state highways. More photos at my blog: Tired old bridge

That bridge is built like a brick outhouse! I drove through it a couple years ago. Here's what it looks like inside. The bridge it replaced was pretty unattractive, and I don't think it was much of a loss. I took a photo of the photo on the kiosk of the previous bridge.

Wow, even in 1990 you didn't see many old shields anymore. Especially on former alignments! jim

Yes, clearly, this is all that's keeping the trees from sprouting straight through the pavement!

Dave, be aware that Indiana's aerial images are unusually good on Google Maps. The images for neighboring Illinois are awful. So it kind of varies.

Dave, Yes, of course -- they're just trying to cover any eventuality! Why didn't I think of that? (smacks forehead) jim

It's a brand new road, opened just this year. Here's Google Maps' view of it. Turn off labels and watch the road labeled Illinois St. disappear. Maybe the stop sign is there to check suburban sprawl!

What, exactly, is the stop sign for?

Prayers and positive energy are headed your way, Ara. Rest up, be well, and may you be back on the road soon.

Suicide knobs... reminds me of the first time I saw a steering wheel with the notch cut out from where the knob had been.

They don't call it The Garden State for nothing!

Dave, I think you're asking the right questions. I always lean toward "information should be free" in cases like this. Doing things for the greater good and all that. And I would be miffed if somebody took that and made a profit on it. I think, however, there is room for a free offering and a pay offering that uses a superior vehicle for producing usable maps! Peace, jim

I am easily charmed by any idea that starts with the Michigan Road!

Love this idea and the discussion. I'm in the same boat as Chris -- would rather do this in a way accessible to anyone, such as via Google Maps. jim

One should never rule out a small diversion on to the rough! jim

I puzzled over that 1812 date myself.

Ah, that makes sense, Chris. I was under the impression that the NR was mostly macadam or crushed stone. Perhaps cobble was the foundation for the macadam portions.

Holy cow! Now them's my kind of prices! Very much appeals to the tightwad in me. I think an Ohio River cruise that stopped in Madison would be wonderful. I think lots of cruises would be wonderful, of course, but never seem to be able to commit to a weekend. Dig this then-and-now of downtown Madison: http://www.hinkleburger.com/MainStreet1812/

wooooow!! I am almost speechless!

Deliciously vague, isn't it?

Becky, I'm sorry to hear of this. Best to you and your family as you go through it, and I hope it all resolves well. jim

I only figured out that feature recently myself, and I've been using boards like this for years. Moreover, most forum software has this feature, or one very similar.

I'm interested in seeing JPG and learning of its history, especially of how the facility was formed. I dunno if it's worth it to throw axes and learn about caves just to be able to hear the one historical session, however, so I think what I may do is pick another Saturday where I can go down just to see the wildlife preserve.

Denny, you miss the point: I'd rather watch paint dry than watch Barack Obama on TV.

Psshhhh. I don't have cable, so that means that the Lincoln Highway program will be the only thing on.