By Phil Bloom This article originally appeared in our 2019 Visitors Guide. On the same rocky ridgetops and ravines that challenged pioneer settlers to scratch out a meager subsistence, a colorful tapestry emerges each spring with a burst of native wildflowers framed by flowering dogwood and redbud…
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By Heather Ray & Ken Keffer Enjoying nature is a year-round activity in Bloomington, and this is especially true for birdwatchers. Each season offers unique opportunities for spotting our feathered friends in different habitats. For example, spring and fall are ideal for catching glimpses of rare…
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By Phil Bloom This article originally appeared in our 2019 Visitors Guide. Winter is no time to quit going outdoors, especially around Bloomington and Monroe County. Sure, sure, it’s tempting to curl up by the fireplace with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate, but you’d miss the outdoor…
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By Phil Bloom This article originally appeared in our 2019 Visitors Guide. Leaves. Orange. Red. Yellow. Colorful, brilliant leaves paint autumn’s fall portrait in the rolling hills that surround Bloomington. Drive any road, stand at any vista overlooking the landscape, and nature’s kaleidoscope is…
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By Heather Ray & Ken Keffer Whether you’re a fledgling to the activity of birdwatching or an experienced birder looking for a “Big Day” (a term used to see how many species you can find in 24 hours), Bloomington’s numerous multi-terrain trails — from wetlands to sprawling forests — offer spectacular…
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By Phil Bloom This article originally appeared in our 2019 Visitors Guide. Built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s, Monroe Lake is a flood-control reservoir that sprawls across parts of three counties as it collects and stores water from Salt Creek. The main basin of the lake is…
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By Tessa Yannone This story was originally published in 2018 online and in our Visitors Guide. There are few things more iconic in Bloomington than basketball hoops and Bobby Knight, but one of them is most certainly its extensive cycling scene. Tucked into the hills of Southern Indiana…
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By Terry Hutchens This story was originally published in 2017. Some of the information may now be out-of-date. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Terry Hutchens (1958-2018) has covered Indiana University football and basketball for the past 19 seasons and is currently the IU beat writer for CNHI Sports Indiana…
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