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. 

Bridges, Bridges, Bridges

Grin and Barrett

A Blog by Joshua Barrett-Brought to you by C Bar C

Sometimes a nice scenic drive is just what you need. If you’re at a show or living in Putnam County sometimes it is just nice to get away. Thankfully we have some of the best nature and history within 30 minutes of the arena I have witnessed in all my travels.

 While working on the new C Bar C expo app, I took a drive to explore the covered bridges in the area and it was the best 2 hours I have had in a long time. Now it is all on the app so you can  take the same drive.

I started out at C Bar C and headed south for a few minutes before you turn into the woods and leave

civilization behind.  The first covered bridge you come to is Huffman Covered Bridge built in 1890. The drive is as good as seeing the bridge itself. I call this one “Children of the corn” as you get about 5 minutes away the road narrows to almost one lane and you are surround with some of the tallest corn I have ever scene. The road makes a serious of 90 degree turns so you feel as if you are driving in a giant corn maze. At last the corn opens up and you see Huffman covered bridge, the bridge is still in use today but does have a little gravel pull of so you can stop and get some pics, or just admire the craftsmanship.

Once you are done at Huffman continue straight over the bridge and you are about 15 minutes from Houck Covered bridge. This is another neat drive with old cemeteries along the way, I stopped in one next 2 Houck bridge and found grave sites from the revolutionary war. The best part about this drive is the Painted barn you will see right before you get to the bridge, It is on private property so you can only look from the road, but it is fully painted and seems to pop up out of nowhere. Houck covered bridge is no longer in use and sits of the road. They have put in several parking spots so you can park and walk around the bridge freely.

I spent a while at Houck bridge before jumping back in the car to head to Oakalla Covered bridge, again this bridge is roughly 15 minutes from Houck and is my favorite section of the covered bridge tour to drive. I call this drive Bridges, Bridges, Bridges because you will see a few metal bridges and a giant cement bridge before you arrive at Oakalla Covered bridge. The old giant cement bridge seems to pop out of nowhere as you

turn a corner and is so big it looks like some old structure from an Indiana Jones movie. Oakalla bridge is still in use today and did have
more traffic than the other bridges but also has a gravel patch to pull over and explore.

Next up is Dunbar bridge, this covered bridge sits just 5 minutes outside of Greencastle and is only a 15 minute drive from Oakalla. It is a nice little drive that follows the river so you have flowing water and often see a lot of wildlife crossing the street. You really cant get lost just follow the river from Oakalla to Dunbar. Dunbar is also in use and does have heavy traffic at times but like the rest ad a small patch of gravel so we could pull over and get some pics. We went right after a decent rain so

the water was flowing pretty hard, since the bridge sits at a bend in the river it can get pretty loud at times.

We have several more bridges in the county, the rest are on the north side of the county and are a bit further drive. You can see these four bridges in about an hour and a half and end up in Greencastle for lunch. Then you are just 10 minutes from C Bar C. 

I stopped into my favorite watering hole the fluttering duck and was back to the ban within 3 hours of leaving so it made for a great escape.

You can find all the covered bridges inn the county on our new C bar C expo App for android and Iphone, Just click on the bridge you want to go to and the app syncs with the gps in your phone and drives you right to it. I have the bridges on the app listed in closest to furthest from the barn, so you can take the same drive I did.  Check our face book page for links to install the app today.

Local "Harvest::From the area

Grin & Barrett 

A Blog By Joshua Barrett - Brought to you by C Bar C Expo Center 

I am always on the hunt for fresh produce grown locally, being in the farm belt it is pretty easy to find a farmers market or a place that sells mostly local goods.

  While driving home from Greencastle I noticed a yellow door ad it grabbed my attention all I could see was the bright yellow and the sign that said “HARVEST”. It was enough to peak my interest so I turned around and went to check this little shop out. Harvest is a little shop filled with local produce from flowers to Brussels sprouts if it was harvested this week in Putnam County you will find it for sale at Harvest.

  I knew I was in a good place when I was offered a free coffee sample right when I opened the door. They sell several flavors of Jameson coffee, a local roaster, While I was there someone was in the back baking fresh cookies and pastries, I had the Chocolate chip Cookies that were still warm at melted in my mouth. The coffee and baked goods room opens up into a large collection of everything Indiana. I found some homemade peanut butters, honeycombs from right here in Putnam county, and 100’s of local produced snacks, lotions, and soaps.

  My favorite part was little room in the back filled with fruits and vegetables just harvested. I picked up some green beans, red potatoes.
Alyssa who is the true farm to table foodie of the family found Brussels sprouts and bacon from a local pig farmer, she added an onion and made a tray of Brussels sprouts with every ingredient being from Putnam county. As you are leaving they have an ever changing selection of hanging flower baskets to choose from.

   You never know what you will find as the selection changes based on what is available in the area. Only 10 minute drive from C bar C would be ideal place to grab some local grub and cook it back at camp.

Worth it for the ranch alone

Grin & Barrett 

A Blog By Joshua Barrett - Brought to you by C Bar C Expo Center

While sitting at a little dive bar a sweet old lady told me I needed to head down 231 to Millgrove diner. I only knew this place as a gas station, so I was surprised to hear her talk about the quality of food.

      Alyssa and I finally made it out this week and were blown away by how good and clean this little diner is. It is unique, in the front is a full gas station and convenience store, at the back is a little diner. They have gas, warm carry out beer and wine, a large amount of camping supplies and everything you may need to enjoy a country drive.


 The first thing you notice is how clean everything is, the walls and floors look to be scrubbed daily. As you open the door the smell of baked goods and fried chicken smacks your senses. It is a quaint little place that reminds me of being at my Grandma’s, with the smell of fresh food and the warm country feel it is easy to relax and just sip some coffee. The food is amazing and you will be surprised at the food quality. Everything that can be made from scratch is, Including the salad dressings. The homemade ranch and homemade honey mustard is so amazing I wanted to take a bottle of it home. Unfortunately, they do not sell it to take home yet. Since I couldn’t drink the sauces I ordered some French fries to dip in the ranch and honey mustard, the fries are hand cut daily and you can tell in the flavor. I also tried the hamburger, onion rings, and the bacon cheese fries. Everything was delicious.

   Don’t be afraid to get crazy with the ranch and honey mustard, for my saucy wife it was a dream come true.

  The service was great, she was very friendly and my coffee never got close to empty. We got a moment to sit and talk with the owners, a father and daughter duo who are the sweetest people we have met of late.

  We were to full to try the homemade baked goods, and soft serve ice cream, but at least we have an excuse to go back. Only a few minutes from C Bar C, and worth the drive. You can find it on 231 south at 300 Hardware Rd Quincy, In 47456. If you have a free few minutes take a drive to historic Quincy, if not it’s ok I will be writing about Quincy soon.

You can check out MIllgrove Diner on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ MillgrovecountrymarkLLC/

Cataract General Store

Grin & Barrett 

A Blog By Joshua Barrett - Brought to you by C Bar C Expo Center 

      As far as landscape and natural beauty goes, Putnam County has it in spades. Driving 30 minutes from the barn you can see several different landscapes and State parks from the canyons at Turkey Run to the state’s largest waterfall per volume. In fact, within 30 minutes of C Bar C you can find 4 state parks, 9 covered bridges, and a handful of lost towns. It is easy to get lost in nature and history as you drive around the county.

      After exploring Cataract Falls we stopped in the Cataract General store. A place as old as the town. The first thing you notice is the large sign painted on the barn it is a replica to the historic sign that sat on 231 directing people to see “the Niagara of Indiana.” The building has been in and out of operation over the years and was recently purchased and restored. I was drawn to the building because they have it set up like an old time general store so it gives you the “back in the day” feeling you don’t get anywhere else.

     Once inside you will be overwhelmed with antiques and collectibles. They have a diverse collection of old case knifes, old hats, lots of small collectibles and so many more. The antiques are mixed in with everyday convenience store products and camping gear. You may go for a roll of tp and walk out with an arm full of collectibles. If you like homemade or natural products like shampoos and soaps you will find some unique all natural products as well. Alyssa found some locally made honey mustard and an Amish Dijon mustard.


 My favorite part was the soda coolers that held around 100 soft drinks in glass bottles, none of them were recognizable as soda I had seen or tried before. It took us about 10 minutes to look over all the flavors and styles, I ended up getting a maple bacon soda that was way better than you think and a “Wyatt Earp’s homemade sarsaparilla”, Alyssa picked the butterscotch soda that was surprisingly good. Although neither of us took advantage of it, you can have any bottle of soda turned into a float. So, if you have ever been lying in bed and wondered “what would a maple bacon soda float taste like?” This is the place for you.
    Along with the soft drinks, Cataract General Store has a daily soup and sandwich special, and carries a large selection of Amish cheese and bison jerky both individual packaged so you can grab a snack for the road. Since the new owner took over they have cleaned the field next to them, that has a large fire pit where they feature live music on most weekends, a remodeled barn, and a few spots to tie up if you happen to be riding around the area.

    As we were leaving we were told about an old early 1900’s one room school house across the street, we walked over to get a look and it has been fully restored to look as original as possible. It was nice to see this place cleaned and opened. With the addition of Cataract falls and the school house it is easy to spend a day here.

   Cataract General Store is Located just 15 minutes from C Bar C At: 2799 S Cataract Rd Spencer In 47460

Check them out on face book at: https://www.facebook.com/cataractgeneralstore/

The Fluttering Duck