RALLYMAN

Thanks for the plug Pat! Like you, I have a passion for the back roads and feel that people need to see what's out there before it's gone forever. Dave, as far as the grocery store goes, that is Tyners Grocery in Tyner, Indiana, which is about 5 miles northwest of Plymouth, Indiana. Tyner is only about 2 blocks long and that is the only business in town, so you can't miss it. From what I'm told the original Marshall County Infirmary was located on a farm near Tyner before a modern facility was built in 1891 on the Lincoln Hwy. about 4 miles east of Plymouth. That building still stands and is now the Shady Rest Nursing Home. From what I can tell the driveway in front of the Shady Rest is actually the old road.

Here's the link to the photos: http://www.scenicroadrallies.com/photos.asp?category=75 Pictures # 38 & # 54 are of the footbridge in Plymouth, Indiana. Picture # 34 is of the European Beech tree. Pictures # 37 & # 39 are of a footbridge in Winamac, Indiana. That bridge crosses the Tippecanoe River and was built in 1923. The remaining photos are interesting sites along the road course.

A few weeks ago we were laying out a road course for a future road rally when we found a couple of very interesting items in Plymouth, Indiana, just a few blocks off of old U.S. 31/Michigan Street. Traveling south on U.S. 31/Michigan into the center of town, turn left onto Garro Street. Travel 3 blocks to the T and to your left in front of the local Junior High School is a very rare giant European Beech tree. I spoke to several people at the school and the historical society but no one had any idea on the age of this beautiful tree. Travel another block south on U.S. 31/Michigan Street and turn left onto East LaPorte Street. Travel 3 blocks to the deadend and you'll see a foot bridge that crosses the Yellow River and leads to a neighborhood on the other side. The bridge was built in 1898 by the Rochester Bridge Co. and is still used daily!

Thanks for all of the great advice everyone! We'll be going over the road maps during the next few weeks to figure out which way we plan to travel. We'll let you know how everything turns out in April. Thanks again!

We'll be in the Worcester, Massachusetts area in the near future and would be interested to see if anyone has any suggestions for nice roads and sites that are off the beaten path. Thanks!