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U.S. 41: Terre Haute, Indiana,
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Parke County bills itself as the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World." With 30 of the historical structures still standing, who's gonna argue?
The wooden bridges are scattered throughout the county. Many of the towns in Parke County celebrate the bridges every October with the 10-day Covered Bridge Festival that begins the second Friday of the month.
A few of the bridges are close enough to east-west U.S. 36 as it slices through the county that they can be seen from the highway. Others might call for you to wander off the main road a bit, but this area is hilly and rural, perfect for a relaxing country drive.
As you continue north on U.S. 41, you'll see signs for Ditzler Orchard, about three miles north of the county line.
Turn east and go one mile and you'll see the orchard on the north side of County Road 900 South. The country store is right around the corner. There, you'll find all kinds of jams, jellies, gifts, seasonal fruits and more.
Returning to U.S. 41, you'll soon enter the small community of Lyford. Warning: The highway remains hilly and curvy through this town. Slow down. For your sake and others.
As Lyford disappears from your rear-view mirror, U.S. 41 continues north, the lowlands along the Wabash River to the west and small hills to the east. Soon, though, you'll climb into those hills as the highway winds its way through southern Parke County.
Home of a Hollywood Villain
About 6 miles north of Lyford, the road flattens out again and allows motorists to pass slower vehicles. But wait! Don't speed through this area! You'll want to slow down and turn back to the south (the highway runs northeast-southwest here) and head for Coxville, Indiana.
Coxville is the home of Tex Terry, "bad man of the movies," B westerns, that is. Terry was born here and returned after a successful Hollywood career as a villain in many westerns.
He and his wife Isabel returned to Indiana and eventually Coxville, where they opened Tex's Longhorn Tavern. Tex died in 1985 and is buried in a cemetery just down the road from his Longhorn.
Also making it worth the side trip: One of Parke County's covered bridges spans a creek right across the street from Tex's place.
Returning to U.S. 41, continue north about five miles to Rockville, Indiana.
Bustling Diner
Just as you come into town, you'll see the White Horse Cafe, "where studs, mares, geldings and a few old nags meet to eat!" (It says so right on the menus.) You'll find it on the east side of the road just before you hit the junction with U.S. 36.
It's a small place, and expect every table to be full at some point during your visit. It's always busy, filled with regulars donning ball caps and blue jeans, discussing the weather, the crops or the local high school teams. The decor is nothing special; you'll even notice the chairs' seat cushions aren't exactly a matching set.
But the food is a cut above average here. In addition to the regular "diner-cuisine" menu, expect to see three or four specials listed on the dry-erase board hanging on the back wall each day.
Now, you've come to another junction of two U.S. highways. Will you ...
Continue north on U.S. 41 (Coming soon!)
Turn west onto U.S. 36 (Coming soon!)
Turn east onto U.S. 36 (Coming soon!)
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