Van Trek '14 June

Goats on the Roof 1

We did some letterboxing at "Goats On The Roof," on our way up to Tennessee for a few days.

Goats on the Roof 9

You can buy a can of feed and send it up the pulley to the goats, like these children are doing.

Slave Cemetery, Asheville, NC 1

Another stop, in Asheville, brought us to other interesting places, like this slave cemetery from Civil War days.

Slave Cemetery, Asheville, NC 2

Slave Cemetery, Asheville, NC 3

Most of the graves weren't marked.

Alyssa, April, Rachael, Michael, Tim & Grace Rees

One evening while we were in JC, we had a nice visit with the Rees family, who are all looking very grown-up nowadays!

Old Black Church outside Franklin, NC

Another letterbox stop on the way back. This was way out in the country, but definitely worth it!

Emily 16th Birthday 4

Back to Nguyens' for Emily's 16th birthday before heading up to Michigan. What a lovely young lady!

Emily 16th Birthday 8

Emily 16th Birthday 3

Emily 16th Birthday 2

I think this was Emily's favorite gift!

Fall Creek Falls StPk, Tennessee 5

Starting north, we went "cross country" into Tennessee, on roads we'd never traveled before, and along the way, visited Fall Creek Falls State Park. We spent most of the day hiking to the following lovely spots, and decided to plant our Tennessee letterbox in the park.

Fall Creek Falls StPk, Tennessee 7

Fall Creek Falls StPk, Tennessee 12

Fall Creek Falls StPk, Tennessee 28

Fall Creek Falls StPk, Tennessee 47

We watched boys jumping off the rocks into the water.

Kristina Doten

Around 4 pm, we met Kristina Doten, my second cousin Jerry's daughter, who lives in Crossville, and had a nice visit with her. We had never met her before, but she is our Christian sister so we're doubly family!

World''s Largest Treehouse

Also in Crossville is the world's largest treehouse, 10 stories! We got a letterbox there, but unfortunately the house was closed because of public misuse of the building.

Lincoln's Birthplace

Then it was on to Kentucky, where we visited Lincoln's Birthplace and planted our Kentucky letterbox there.

Columbus, Indiana 1

On into Indiana, where our first stop was in Columbus, where we saw some great architecture, even in the visitor center. This classic (ca 1941) was next to the park where we made our breakfast.

Chihuly Neon Chandelier 2

And this amazing Chihuly glass chandelier was in the visitor center.

Visitor Ctr. 1864

4 types of Eames chairs in visitor center video screening area. We chose the white ones to sit in : )

First Christian & Moore Arch 1

First Christian Church, 1942. Designed by Eliel Saarinen, first of many structures built in this small town by famous architects. If you don't care about architecture, skip the next couple of pages.

First Christian & Moore Arch 5

First Christian, as seen through The Henry Moore arch 1971. The arch is 20 feet tall, 12 feet wide, and weighs 51⁄2 tons. “As a young sculptor I saw Stone- henge and ever since I’ve wanted to do work that could be walked through and around.” - Henry Moore

1st Christian, Eliel Saarinen 1

Views of First Christian, inside

1st Christian, Eliel Saarinen 6

1st Christian, Eliel Saarinen 16

Irwin Home & Gardens 1864 3

The Irwin home was built in 1864 for Joseph Irwin. We see it today as it was remodeled in 1910 by Henry Phillips, who was inspired by the gardens of Italy.

St. Peter's Lutheran 1988 3

St. Peter's Lutheran, 1988

Central Middle School, 2007

Central Middle School, 2007

Cummins World Headquarters

Cummins International Headquarters (1983), one of the most unusual buildings we visited

Cummins World Hq. 1984 4

The landscaping was outstanding too.

Cummins World Hq. 1984 11

It showcased several of Cummins' engines.

Cummins World Hq. 1984 10

Centerpiece of the exhibit area in the lobby is the “exploded engine” by Rudolph de Harak.

Cummins World Hq. 1984 13

Parts of the window walls are mirrors, which creates an unusual effect.

Cummins World Hq. 1984 15

Cummins World Hq. 1984 16

Here the effect is reversed from the last two photos.

Cummins World Hq. 1984 17

OK, can you tell what is inside and what is not? Unusual sculptural effect.

Eos, 2006 1

In Greek mythology, the winged Eos was the goddess of the dawn.

Columbus, Indiana 87

Post Office, 1970 2

Columbus Post Office: Designed by Roche Dinkeloo and Associates in 1970, the structure is built of a salt-glazed tile, mirrored glass and COR-Ten steel. It is the first post office in the country designed by architects whose fees were privately funded.

The Commons, 2011

Exterior of The Commons

The Commons, 2011 6

The Commons, a new building, featured this really fun climbing sculpture!

The Commons, 2011 5

Cool moving sculpture at The Commons.