mobilene Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 You can't quite call Indiana SR 42 an overlooked gem. It cuts awkwardly through a great deal of Indiana farmland, with frequent 90-degree turns frustrating even leisurely two-lane forward progress. But if you like bridges, you'll love SR 42, with two 1939 steel truss bridges and one drop-dead gorgeous cement arch span over a lake created by the US Army Corps of Engineers. I chose to drive SR 42 yesterday because it's minor and obscure and, on a day when I wanted some quiet time, I should have it pretty much to myself; because I could easily explore it end to end in four or five hours; because after a summer of serious roadgeeking on the Michigan Road I wanted a fun drive; because it runs from southwest of Indianapolis to Terre Haute where I once lived; and because on its original route through Terre Haute stands one of my most favorite places on the planet. The road did not disappoint. Explore State Road 42! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadmaven Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 Good write-up on this one, Jim. And the bridge over Cagles Mill Lake is a work of art. I've only been on a short stretch of 42 in the past. We have some friends that live just a few miles west of Mooresville off 42, and that's been the extent of my adventures on it. It's short jaunts like this that inspire me to find a route like this which can be traveled and photographed in a day, while capturing some of the local treasures they have to offer. Time to check out some maps for the weekend.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobilene Posted October 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2008 I mentioned that one of my favorite places on the planet is in Terre Haute on old 42. It's Headstone Friends, a trippy little music store. I've set the Wayback Machine to 1969: http://jimgrey.wordpress.com/2008/10/22/headstones/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennyG Posted October 23, 2008 Report Share Posted October 23, 2008 I just finished your IN-42 write up and took a quick look at the Headstone Friends entry. Very nice job on IN-42. As you say, it's not the route for anyone on a tight schedule. US-40 has been my road of choice but it seems I'm often in a hurry westbound so drive I-70 more than I'd like. IN-42 certainly looks like a pleasant drive and I'll keep in in mind for a lazy day. Maybe I can stop by Headstone Friends and see how it compares to the real 1969. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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