Crickets- Best boutique in the area!

Last October, my husband Josh and I moved to Cloverdale in hopes to be a part of town that was going through revitalization and growth. We felt called to help facilitate this change in any way we possibly could. Some of our fears with moving to a small town were a lack of coffee shops,

restaurants and shopping locations. As you can see from our blog our fear was wrong. Cloverdale and Putnam County as a whole have so many amazing places to visit if you are willing to find them.

My personal favorite shopping destination I discovered was Crickets. Crickets is a women and children’s boutique in Greencastle. Shop owner Lauren Smoot has created one the cutest places in downtown Greencastle. Her space is extremely clean, the clothing is fashion forward as well as affordable, and she is willing to help you with any styling you could need while at the shop. Crickets also features local artists’ work in the boutique. She loves to collaborate with local people to bring you a truly unique shopping experience.

Lauren named her boutique Crickets after her childhood nickname. Her grandmother would take her shopping when she was a young girl and call her Cricket. As an adult she uses not only the nickname Grammie gave her, but also the passion she instilled in her as a child to make women and children feel beautiful and trendy at an affordable cost.

I love this story because so much of my story comes from the love of my grandparents and to see Lauren use her love for her grandmother to create a locally owned shop is inspiring.

When you come to C Bar C make it a point to drive to Crickets, talk to Lauren, and do some shopping. Only 15 minutes from C Bar C located at 21 S Indiana St Greencastle, IN 46135.

Also visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cricketsuniqueboutique/

Haunted bridge was to much for me!

Every small town has it's list of haunted places, and Cloverdale is no different within a 20 minute drive we are home to one creepy covered bridge, a handful of haunted cemeteries, home of the pink lady, and one nerve racking steel bridge.

The cemetery right around the corner from C Bar C is a known haunted spot Legend is that 7 sisters were put to death for being witches and buried in the Cloverdale cemetery. If you go out on a full moon and walk 7 circles around the 7 graves the sisters will appear and haunt you out of the Graveyard.

Right down the road in Greencastle is another Haunted Cemetery with a story about a police officer and his dog from back in the day. When the moon is just right you can see the glowing eyes of the dog. The reel fun part is the hidden cave that sits at the back of the graveyard, haunted or not the cave and cemetery at night is all out creep.

The Edna covered bridge just 15 minutes from C Bar C is another local hot spot for ghost hunters. A little girl use to hate to ride to town with her parents so they would leave her and the family dog at the bridge to swim while they went to town. One afternoon the parents came back from town and only found the dog barking. Legend says if you park on the bridge at night and turn your lights off you will here the dog barking still looking for the girl, some have heard the girl calling out to her parents, and a few have found hand prints all over the car after leaving.


All these are well know and very freaky depending on your mind set, but I heard a story about Hamond metal bridge being haunted and had to check it out. for myself. The story I was told talks about a group of boys who were at the bridge at night with a new kid in town. It was custom for the area boys to initiate the new kids who moved into town and the bridge was a consistent destination in many of the pranks. One rainy night the boys were out welcoming a new kid to town and convinced him to attempt to hang from the bridge, The wind picked up his hands slipped and he feel below in to the roaring water. One story claims the boy was able to grab on to one of the kids legs and hold on for a few seconds before slipping away.

I went out to the bridge on a rainy night to try and see what I could conjure up. I normally don't freak out easily but I had read this story 100 times before going and had all the stories rolling around in my head. The bridge seems to pop out of nowhere and does have a creepy vibe
with the word "amber" painted on the frame.

I parked to the side and got out to walk around, being mindful of traffic. Walking up all the hair on my neck stood up and as I made it on to the bridge I could not help but feel like I was being watched I keep looking down at my feet as some stories claim they have felt the lost boy grabbing for their ankles. I started to take pictures but with the rain and dark it was hard to capture anything I was seeing. Looking over the bridge I could see what looked like orbs or the lights you see inn haunted pictures. Not a lot and not all the time but defiantly something seemed to be drawing my attention to the side of the bridge. I heard lots of movement but the bridge is surround by corn fields so it was not surprising to hear movement.  I got about half way across the bridge and heard the loudest noise between me and my car. I turned around to look and could see nothing but I know I was being looked at by something. little glimpse of eyes let me know I was not alone.

By this point I had pretty much creeped myself to the max of what my mind could handle. I started to slowly walk back to the car When something fell from the bridge and splashed into the water. The story of a falling boy ran threw my head and I took of to the car. The drive home I keep checking behind me and it took a good few minutes to calm myself down.

Not sure if the bridge is haunted or if standing in the woods, on a steel bridge, around midnight on a rainy October night is just creepy. I went in expecting nothing because I drive by the bridge daily ( in Daylight) and never been freaked out.  Night time in October is just a mind melt in its self.

The bridge is only a few mile from C Bar C/ Be careful if you do decide to travel to this spooky site.  The bridge is on a highway and even at night it can have heavy traffic. I would also recommend taking a friend!

Cataract Falls

We have highlighted some of the food and bars in the area, We have created a covered bridge tour for you to take right from your phone, and we have broken down the best place to get breakfast and
coffee. This week we went to Cataract Falls just a 15 minute drive from C Bar C ( ask a local about short cut road).

Cataract is the largest waterfall by volume in the
state of Indiana and is a point of pride for most in the area but, the waterfalls are not the only thing this state park has going for it.
Once you arrive you will see the large covered bridge, this bridge is not part of the road and allows you to walk all around and in it. On the parking lot side you can stand at several viewing areas and see the upper falls. This area has picnic tables and grills so you can have a picnic to the

sound of the flowing water.

 On the other side of the bridge you will find a tail that weaves threw the woods while following the river at the same time. You can access the water and the falls in several spots along the trail. If you want to wade in the water you can do so on the top of the waterfall. That alone is a unique experience but for a one of a kind trip you need to keep walking. The trail leads you up hill and winds away from the river briefly before winding you downhill to bank of the water. Once at the bottom you will back track up river to the waterfall itself. The trail gets narrow as you approach the falls and eventually turns to a collection of large rocks you must climb up and down. Keep going,
once you make it past the rocks you will be behind the water fall!

Yes, the water has carved out a little "room" behind the falls covered in moss and jagged rocks it looks like something out of a movie, you feel like you are in a different land or time period while behind the falls. I have hiked all over the country and have rarely seen something this neat.

Once the awe wears of head back out follow the trail back to your car, or if you like a little free climbing just climb up the edge to cut down on the walk. I will warn you that both Grayson my 12 year old and Alyssa m wife were very upset with me for making them climb the rock wall. It is not the easiest and does require a little bit of nerves. Layla however my 10 year old wild child loved the climb, she did however fall and I thankfully caught her before she rolled down the cliff. So maybe just walk the trail.

Once in the car take a scenic 5 minute drive to the lower falls. The lower falls is a "look" only falls since you cant climb down to the mouth. This one looks and feels like your more traditional waterfall with a cement viewing area.

Along with the 2 falls Cataract state park has several miles of hiking trails, a playground, and picnic area. So it is easy to spend the day. Look at our earlier blogs to see Cataract general store for more to do while around the area.

Best places to get Breakfast

I am a breakfast guy, I am ready for some eggs and bacon anytime of the day. Most days I wake up craving biscuits and gravy or some thick french toast, with no desire to make it myself. The kids, Alyssa and I all went from place to place to find the best breakfast around Putnam County.

The Truck Stop

I really never knew what to call this giant white and blue building on the hill in Cloverdale as you exit Interstate 70, so I only know what everyone calls it and that is simply the truck stop. It sits on the hill with "Restaurant" written across it so it will be hard to miss. Along with a full lunch and diner menu the truck stop serves breakfast all day. They have a breakfast buffet with 2 kids of eggs, 2 kinds of sausage, pancakes, a waffle bar, has browns, bacon , sausage, and that was just my first plate. The food is good, the staff is friendly, and the coffee stays full. 

Jacksons

Like the truck stop this place has a very large lunch and diner menu, but the breakfast is my favorite part. It is a family owned restaurant that has been around for ever and continues to serve some good ole country cooking. 

3G Bowling

I know breakfast in the bowling alley? Every Saturday you will find one of the best breakfast in town at 3g Bowling in Greencastle from 9:30 to 1 pm. This family owned and operated bowling alley puts out a delicious breakfast menu and if you thought eggs and bacon where great wait till you pair it with bowling!

C Bar C Kitchen

Look I know I work here, I know the point of this blog is to highlight all the amazing things Putnam and surrounding has to offer but if I am being 100% honest and non-biased, C bar C has perhaps the best biscuits and gravy in the county. Erin and Brandy are in the C bar C kitchen every weekend cooking up eggs, bacon, biscuits, and coffee. If it is a busy show get to the kitchen early the biscuits and gravy goes quick no matter how much we make. If you are showing at the barn you can stay in your pjs and wonder on over. If you live locally most of our shows are free to watch and nothing pairs with b's and g's like barrel racing!

2 West Bistro 

2 West Bistro has a very unique menu for the Putnam County area. It is a scale above everything else you will find in the area. The Breakfast buffet is no different you will enjoy every mouth watering bite and with so many options you might as well plan a few hours to eat and a few hours to nap after

Moores Bar

A local gem that we often forget about is Moores bar in Greencastle. It sits right of the square and has an upscale dive bar feel, if that makes an sense. Stocked with a great selection of beer from PBR to some local craft beers you don't see everywhere. I am just one of those guys that loves a good pointless conversation in a dive bar and to date I have not been disappointed with the crowd, drinks or food at Moores.

Alyssa tends to be a little more refined of a drinker than me so it's always nice when you get my country feel and her downtown food and drink quality. They have lunch specials everyday that range from a shrimp basket to a good ole blt, matched with a drink special of the day that is purposefully matched with the food.

One of the best qualities of a bar in my mind is the staff. If you are frustrated with your local watering hole or just need a little hope in your life. Stop in and grab a drink from Hope, an awesome and attentive bar tender with a great personality and an amazing life story that will give any skeptic HOPE!

Because the environment is so low key and friendly the crowd is very diverse and you have the opportunity to meet all types of people from Depauw alumni to cross country travelers. In one afternoon we made friends with a cute little hip couple who was in town hiking some of the beautiful trails, an older couple that after 20 years had moved away from Indy to have a nice relaxing drink, a handful of Depauw
graduates back in town to see the old neighborhood and a  an amazingly inspiring lady who was battling stage four cancer and out with friends to take her mind of it. Talk about a fun 2 hours. Throw in a basket of shrimp, a live band from time to time and the worlds best bar tender Hope and you have no excuse to check this place out.

Moores is use to seeing competitors from C Bar C and is a great place to relax after a long day of showing and mucking.

You can find the address, menu, and hours on the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/Moores-Bar-Grill-182446055176907/

Main st Coffee

As I have said before good coffee is hard to come by in the area, Alyssa and I made it our mission to find a good local coffee shop. I thought Casey's was the best in town which is not a good thing...

After some searching Alyssa found Main St. Coffee located just 20 minutes from C Bar C in Spencer Indiana. You can check them out on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/MainStreetCoffeeSpencer/

The little coffee shop is family owned and run. The family from the mom and dad to the kids are all so friendly and happy, you get a warm feeling just walking in the door. Locals sit and chat as they sip on coffee just like we love.

The coffee is all from Jameson coffee a local roaster, giving it even more of a hometown feel. The flavors change daily but are always listed and updated on the Facebook page. The coffee is great but, what they do with it is amazing.  Let's start with the iced coffee, you pick the coffee you want they fill a cup and hand it to you, you add the cream and sugar you want and hand it back, they then pour it over coffee iced cubes. COFFEE ICE CUBES so, when as it melt it never waters down the drink! You can also add one of many syrups to the iced coffee.
My favorite drink is one of a kind, they call it the coke blanca noir, It is made with cocoa cola, coffee ice cubes, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup it was just weird enough to get my attention, now it is my favorite drink and it is hard to let a week go by with out one.

The food is one of the bigger surprises, it is all so fresh and unique. Like the coffee flavors the lunch special is different everyday. They also post the daily special on Facebook so be sure to like the page so you can be updated on all things Main St Coffee. One item that they have everyday is made fresh tamales, made locally and daily they are so fresh and filling.

This really is the best place for lunch and coffee around if you live in the area this will become a weekly stop for you if your coming from out of town, it's a place you want to try before you leave.

Blessed Hands Bakery

Get your insulin shot ready and prepare to be in sugar overload! Cloverdale now has Blessed Hands Bakery. Nothing makes me happier than to see this new business in our home town.

Blessed Hands is a mere 2 minute drive from C Bar C and is filled with delicious baked goods. I took the kids last week and we decided we had to try one of everything. I know that makes me both the coolest dad and the bravest. They loved every sugar filled bite.

The bakery was started by a local lady who financed the entire project on her own. Perhaps the coolest part of this story is being able to walk into a building that was lifeless and empty for so long and meet a young lady that took her skill and built her piece of the American dream. Despite having her business partners back out last minute, she persevered and opened this little gem.

Blessed Hands is probably the most fitting name, once you taste the brownie or pineapple upside down cake you will know it was created by "blessed hands" indeed.

The brownies are amazing, they are massive compared to the brownies make at home, they are also thin which makes them extra soft and chewy. I am certain she couldn't another ounce of flavor in those chocolaty squares. 

  If you like honey buns or cinnamon rolls you are in luck. We sampled the cinnamon roll cake and the honey bun cake and they are exactly what the name says, the exact flavor and feel of a honey bun in cake form. I was impressed with the creativity in the cakes. Another rich and savory treat was the orange cycle pie, the flavor of the orange cycle ice cream I loved as a kid in pie form. The divine flavors took me back to summer days as an adolescent.

By far the best part for me was the individual pineapple upside down cakes. They are moist and soft and have so much flavor for the size it’s hard to wrap your mind around how much goodness can come from such a single serving. If you are going to try it in the store then buy two. Mine was finished before she was able to ring it up. The soft cake, pineapple and cherry flavors cradle your taste buds and reassure you that even after a long day all can be remedied by these perfect cakes!

The bakery not only has baked goods for instant purchase but also takes orders and makes specialty cakes and cupcakes for any style of even or party.

She is so talented I expect to see her branch out into catering and large events. So next time you are at the barn and want a sweet treat or you are coming to the barn and need cupcakes for a special event, this is your first and only stop.

Follow them on Facebook and you can see the cakes and desserts they make daily. 

Blessed Hands Bakery is located at 54 E Market St Cloverdale Indiana 46120. You can find them on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/CloverdaleBlessedHands/

Myers Market

We are always on the lookout for fresh produce and locally raised meats. When I go to a new place I love to go to the local farmers markets and butcher shops hoping I can find something I can’t or don’t get back home. So it is no surprise that Myers Market in Greencastle was one of my first stops after moving to Putnam County.

Myers Market is a butcher shop that also sells tons of local products.  This gem of Putnam is owned and operated by Mitch kind of a local hero after winning Putnam Dancing with the Stars.

Mitch cuts all the meats and is very skilled at his trade. From thick cut pork chops to the best New York Strips in 3 counties. They also carry several handmade brats our family favorite are the sweet and spicy mango
habanero brats, but my favorite ones are the buffalo chicken
brats. Sounds funny but these brats will change the way you eat. Looking for something more exotic, Myers always has several local meats like duck, and bison. The prices are comparable to Kroger and value mart and worlds better so you won’t leave feeling like cashing in the 401k.

The shop is filled with meats but, they also have several local products you might find at farmers market. Chips, vegetables, baked goods, Jameson coffee, and a clean and healthier charcoal. The inventory changes based on what is fresh and ready so check it out every time you are at the barn, especially If you want to grill some good steaks while here.

If you are hungry for lunch Myers also has a deli style lunch menu with tons of great lunch meats and veggies.  You have several choices for good fresh baked bread, meats, cheese and toppings, just circle what you want and enjoy. The sandwiches are very big, and if you want to skip the bread you can get a lettuce wrap that is huge. I get the same thing every time because it is too good to walk away from. The fried chicken salad with ghost pepper cheese, both flavors that are hard to find anywhere else.

If you are at the barn during the week, They grill out a lunch every Thursday the menu changes but this summer I have had, bacon cheese stuffed burgers, pulled pork, rib eye sandwiches, and brats. Every Thursday all summer long you will see Mitch out grilling to a line of locals who couldn’t be happier.

Myers Market sits about 15 minutes from C Bar C and is a great place to taste and purchase local.

Located at 302 E Washington St, Greencastle In. or find them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/myersmarketgreencastle/

top 10 places to go around Putnam County and beyond

1.       Main St Coffee

Good coffee is a necessity of life for our family. It is also something hard to find in this County. Sure, we have a Starbucks but you would be hard pressed to find worst service. Since I gave up on Starbucks. I have searched high and low to find a good coffee shop in the County.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find one in Putnam County, but I did find this gem just 20 minutes from C Bar C. Serving great coffee and food daily. The menu and coffee selections change daily so check them out on Facebook to see what they are creating today. Also, try the tamales they are made from scratch by a local woman who makes them just for Main St. Coffee.

You can find them in Spencer, Indiana at 5 W Franklin St, Spencer, IN 47460 or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MainStreetCoffeeSpencer/

2.       Wasser Brewing

We have a lot of good places to eat in the area but none compare to the deliciousness that is Wasser Brewing, owned by a former teacher it has been neat to see this place grow as they have only been open for a little over a year. Enjoy a Manhattan like no other at the bar or devour a one of a kind tenderloin on the patio. You can’t really go wrong at Wasser. Have kids? Pb&j with a glass of milk is free for kids!

3.Catarac Falls

With so much nature around it may be overwhelming to figure out where to go. Cataract falls in one of my family’s favorite places. With upper and lower falls, you have plenty to see. At the upper falls, you can take a nice hike that descends the hill and walks you right behind the water fall. It feels like another time. After that take, some time and just walk around the falls and covered bridge located right at the entrance, Lower falls is much bigger but you are unable to hike all the way up to the falls. This summer they just launched kayaking on the famous eel river.

4.Jits Thai Place

When you are looking for something different than a tenderloin or burger head to Spencer and try Jits Thai Place. Owned by a husband and wife. She is from Thailand and cooks in the traditional style. If she is sick they will just be closed since no one can cook her way. The menu changes daily and the hours are a little funky since it is just her. The shrimp cigars and chicken curry are fire and this is coming from a plain jane hillbilly so you know that’s some good grub.

5.Covered Bridges

 The covered bridge drive not only lets you see 100 year old bridges but the drive is full of neat and interesting things to see from painted barns, corn mazes, and structures half remaining from another time. I have mapped out all the bridges on the C Bar C app so you can take the tour and not be lost. Look the C Bar C expo app up in the app store or google play today.

6. Blessed Hands Bakery

This is Cloverdale’s newest business ran by a local lady, who put everything she had into bringing amazing treats to Cloverdale this little bakery is wall to wall baked goods with amazing chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes that will cradle your taste buds. We love seeing new business in the area and are so happy this she opened and allowed all of us to share in the flavor of blessed hands.

7.Deer Creek Shooting Range

Need a release I have found no better than unloading the 38. This shooting range is about a year old and has been a great escape for me since they opened. You can bring your own and just rent the space or rent one of the guns they have by the hour. Either way it’s a great place to shoot.

8. Fluttering Duck

I talk about the Duck a lot because it really is the best place to relax, drink, and enjoy some pretty good pub style food. The atmosphere is great and on a cool summer night sit outside and enjoy friendly conversation. The staff, the beer, and the food are all top notch and you are guaranteed a good relaxing time. Check them out on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/theflutteringduck/

9. Millgrove Diner

Of all the little places to eat in the area, if you want a simple homecooked meal like grandma made than check out Millgrove Diner located 4 miles south of C Bar C. Enjoy homemade biscuits and gravy, hand cut fries, homemade ranch and honey mustard and a bunch of baked goods. Most people may remember this being Lou’s but, about a year ago Lou’s moved to a different location and after a deep clean Millgrove Diner opened. This is the go to for our family it is very affordable and filling. We are very impressed with the family friendly environment and how clean and tasty everything is. If you are at C Bar C stop in the office and pick up some coupons they made just for those who show!

10. Cloverdale Meadows Golf Course

 Alyssa and I just started playing (or trying) golf this summer and we found this little golf course only 10 minutes from C Bar C. Very clean and well maintained course, and friendly staff. They are priced very affordable and you can easily fit in a game in between showing so next time you come to the arena don’t forget the clubs!

3G Bowling

 We are always on the lookout for places with affordable family fun. Sounds Cheesy I know, but with a growing 10 and 12-year-old it can be hard to find something everyone enjoys.

We found 3G Bowling in Greencastle recently and have started to make it a weekly event. It is a great venue with more than enough lanes, a full kitchen, and a full bar.

We first heard of the bowling alley via a flyer promoting kids bowl free. Kids…. FREE…..I’m in.

The alley is owned and ran by a local family of bowlers. The Friars who have been running youth leagues for a while in the area.  At one point the former owner wanted to sell the bowling alley and knew the Friars were a family of all bowlers so he approached them to take it over, now they work full time careers and run the

alley with what time is left. It really is a family run business.

They have put together some great programs including the kids bowl free, cosmic bowling, 123 bowl, and by far the best drink specials in the county. We signed up on their app and now get points every time we go that gets us free games. They just partnered with Modern Woodman and now have free bowling for the family every other Wednesday this summer.

One perk friends from the arena might like is the bar actually stays open till 3 am on weekends. The

y have just finished remodeling the bar area with new bathrooms, pool tables, darts, and a jute box separate from the bowling area. So, if Alyssa and I find free time from the kids we can grab a drink here and if we have the kids we can bowl and grab a pizza.

The food is good pub style food, I would like to tell you how the pizza is, but the second they brought it to us the kids devoured it so I have to

assume it’s pretty good, the cheeseburger, chicken fingers, and spicy fried cheese balls are the go to for me.

You can sign up for kids bowl free or any other special on the website at 3Gbowl.net or find them on face book at www.facebook.com/3GBOWL/

Mention you are showing at C bar C and get a special discount.