Logan's Roadhouse has a country music feel with its Nashville roots

What is a roadhouse? This place was full of old road signs of all kinds. I saw antique signs for motor oil, Chevrolet, neon beer signs, and photos of old service stations. Buckets of peanuts were on the table and nut shells were thrown on the floor. Large TV screens showing sports programs were hanging up high, scattered around. It was noisy, with predominantly country music playing very strongly. I did hear them play a John Mayer tune for something different.

Logan's waiters and waitresses are dressed in jeans and flannel plaid shirts. For drinks, they promote a few specialties such as fruit flavored lemonades and iced teas. My companion had a plain lemonade and was pretty happy with it. I had a specialty combo margarita with a cran-raspberry lemonade - it was nice.

For entrees, we chose hamburgers and baby back ribs. I thought their yeast rolls were outstanding. The rolls were served very hot when salads came out, which was great timing. I liked my green salad - nice red onions and cucumbers, and filling.

But the ribs, a half slab, were a little dry. My companion also said so after wanting a taste. The seasoning was spicy and smoky, so I liked it. But for ribs, I had a better recent experience at Fort Wayne's old Rib Room on East State Boulevard. Logan's were good, but too dry - maybe it needs another try.

Entrees come with some choices for sides. Sweet potato fries, mac & cheese, veggies. I had the streamed broccoli - ok but very plain. My friend chose the homestyle fries with the burger, and we both thought they were tasty but a bit too salty. I need to go back and try a some other things, like a steak and an appetizer, because I didn't get a complete sense of the menu on this one trip.

We did like the Logan's desserts we had. They offered something fun - a small portion (so fewer calories) of three desserts. One was peanut butter, one brownie, one strawberry cheesecake. They are served in a little farm-type metal bucket that can be taken home as a souvenir. It's a thoughtful marketing gimmick for a sweet-tooth finish that isn't too filling.

We went to this busy location - on Lima Road at Ludwig, near Smith Field, Lowe's and Meier. They have another Fort Wayne location southwest on West Jefferson. Logan's is a chain in about 23 states, so you may have one near you. I think a lot of my Indiana and Illinois friends would feel right at home here.

Cataract Falls is worth a trip to central and southern Indiana

The largest waterfall in Indiana is south and west of Indianapolis, and not far from the above mentioned McCormick's Creek State Park. Near Lieber State Recreation area, Cataract Falls has two sets of falls on Mill Creek. The upper part of the falls has a steep plunge of about 20 feet (top picture). The lower falls is shown in the bottom photo. It is half a mile downstream, and its water falls about 18 feet.

A covered bridge is built near the upper falls. Constructed in 1875, it was open to car traffic until 1988. The bridge has recently been restored by the Indiana DNR. Cagles Mills Lake sets at the receiving end of the falls.

A mill was erected in 1820 by settler Issac Teal near the lower falls. Wildlife and fish provided resources for the settlers as well. A Jennings family later bought the mill and improved upon it adding flour, saw and woolen mills, along with shops and a general store to form the community of Cataract.

Owen County, Indiana, is not far off Interstate 70 which connects Indianapolis to Terre Haute and then goes on to Effingham, Illinois. This lovely Indiana county has tons of wonderful scenery just a few miles off the highway, yet it seems as though few folks have stopped to see. There are lots of great trips like this from Fort Wayne, but I think many of our Hoosier friends don't know what treasures exist in our neighboring counties. This is a great picnicking spot, a place to take the kids for a runabout and some back-to-nature time. Sometimes we need to remind them (and ourselves) what life was like before we had all the screens and techy gadgets competing for our attention.

McCormick's Creek State Park is a jewel in south central Indiana

I wish I had a photograph of this lush, green Indiana State Park. Alas, but no - how did that happen? Below is a trail map of sorts with the park's highlights.

Perhaps if you live near Bloomington you know of this quaint park, surprisingly not far off an exit on Interstate 70 south of Indianapolis. Along the confluence of the White River and McCormick's Creek, beautiful canyons and ravines provide great hiking trails, camping and exploring in this diverse state park. The wonderful, old Canyon Inn houses lodging, a restaurant, outdoor handball courts, tennis courts, and a pool. A saddle barn offers trail rides and haywagon rides. And a nature center provides exhibits, bird watching, and naturalist-led activities.

Before white explorers found the spot, Miami Indians hunted and fished along these rugged banks. In 1816, the homesteader John McCormick claimed 100 acres and tried to settle in with lumbering, hunting and farming. In 1888, a physician purchased part of the homestead and made it a 'sanatarium,' a place for people to get well. In 1914, the deceased doctor's estate went for auction and was purchased by the state of Indiana.

So, in 1916, McCormick's Creek State Park was dedicated as Indiana's first state park. The peaceful Canyon Inn is situated on the site of the original sanatarium. We stayed there, ate, and walked down the trails to the creek from the lodge. It's peaceful, verdant, relaxing. We found a pair of abandoned trail shoes that we still own - don't know what happened to the owners. The newish kicks were too good to pass up and leave on the rocks.

We also took advantage of the saddle barn. Guides took us on a group trail ride through the forest, something I think is a great opportunity in a public state park. I loved walking and trotting the horses along the fragrant trails, seeing ferns and flowers, birds and squirrels. It made me very happy. Go find yourself some beauty outside when the weather will allow. Indiana is lovely - don't let any foolish television shows make you think otherwise. I recommend stopping here, especially for all my Hoosier and Illini friends.

Bob Evans Restaurants gear into online and takeout markets

This statue at Kyle Field, Texas A & M University in College Station, represents the "12th man" in football. The term 'twelfth man' is an analogy for the fans who are considered to be participants, urging the team on to win. Aggies, as the fans are known there, are famous for their enthusiasm. In this bronze statue, students are depicted to be cheering and singing the "War Hymn", in which they link arms, overlap their feet, and sway back and forth. This so-named, nine-foot-high War Hymn Monument is a whopping 1700 pounds of bronze.

Hometown values, loyalty, country life, simplicity, farm and home - I think of this statue. The type of people also remind me of the people I see at Bob Evans restaurants. People ready for food that is in no way fancy, but filling and comforting. Food that could be served up home-style and feed a lot of people. Bob Evans Restaurants started in Ohio, and are now in 600 locations in nineteen states.

The chain (which it is, and the locations are not franchised) started with one truck stop diner near the original Bob Evans farm in Rio Grande, Ohio. Bob Evans produced many of his meats and sausages, and expanded to produce more as his restaurants grew. It still holds to a theme of country living. The idea that breakfast can be served all day pervades.

There are three locations in Fort Wayne, and one in Auburn, IN. On a cold night recently we tried the location on Meier Drive, east of the Fort near Interstate 4-69. One person in our party had the chili, or three bean soup: and although he said it could have been served warmer, it was very good. The sourdough rolls were our choice over biscuits and did not disappoint. For those patrons wishing to stay gluten free or choose fewer carbs and calories, the volumous menu makes this very selectable.

I was impressed there is a separate door and counter/wait area for patron takeout. I suppose busy working families could easily choose this on the commute home. Later I looked at the Bob Evans online ordering website. I found the website to be very user-friendly, with lots of categories and descriptive menu selections. Lots of variety and serving sizes are available for groups, all of which makes a lot of sense to me. I didn't know Bob Evans, of all businesses, would be doing such a good job on the Internet.

I have heard the restaurant is popular with some loyal followers, who make it a regular or daily hangout. For my meal I tried the broasted chicken, which I found to be good, and it was comforting, southern, and somehow reminded me of my childhood town and home. Nothing fancy, it was old-fashioned even, and tasty.

I splurged and went for a slice of a coconut cream pie. It was hard for me to decide between that and a chocolate French silk pie, but I chose the former. Good it was, but a little too cold in the center. I think I need to go back for breakfast now, because I think that's also what a lot of diners go to eat there.

I think the Bob Evans restaurants are mainly in the Midwest, even though the grocery store products likely have a wider distribution. The eateries stretch toward the near Northeast and also to the upper south parts of the U.S. Although not really my cup of tea, it was interesting to be there - entering and exiting, one has to walk past candy counters, coffee for sale, fudges and other products - I am impressed with the company's marketing, from online to point-of-sale. Good job, Bob Evans in Fort Wayne, IN - I'll be back.

Cabaret at the Civic Theatre heats up a cold February

On a chilly Fort Wayne Valentine's Day night, it was very pleasing to go see a steamy live show. In fact, it was a delight to enjoy the Civic Theatre's performance of Cabaret, which will continue its run at the Arts United Center in downtown Fort Wayne on weekends through March 1, 2015.

The songs are so fun, and alternatingly cheerful and sad - they are the ones you remember from the movie version and the Broadway stage. Set in Berlin, Germany, it is the story of the rise of nationalism and Nazi power, and how it effected citizens around this particular setting: the people connected to the racy nightclub Kit Kat Club.

Evan Hart plays a fabulous Emcee, nearly stealing the show for himself with his portrayal of this role. Inviting, sexy, provocative, emotive - he does it all, struting confidently in his suspenders and lipstick. He sings well, and adds the dance elements neatly - I especially liked his hand work and boot steps. Bridget Pearson made a convincing Sally Bowles, and I was almost frustrated with how good I thought her English accent came across; maybe I found the assumedly intentional over-pronunciation distracting. I was pleased, though, with how well I could hear all the characters' lines.

I was also impressed with Maggie Kole Hunter, portraying Fräulein Schneider, on how powerfully she sang and played her role. And Gary Lanier was delightful as Herr Schultz, the Jewish fruit vendor who is the love interest of Fräulein Schneider. The beautiful high vibrato in his voice was thrilling to hear in his vocal solos.

This cast did a nice job with the dancing - I thought they tackled some difficult, seemingly Bob Fosse-inspired numbers. The cast was dancing on chairs in heels, doing handstands and splits, etc.: I'm sure much of that credit goes to choreographer Leslie Beauchamp. The show was sexy for conservative Fort Wayne, but not too sexy- just right. The set featured audience members seated at lounge tables on each side of the stage, and the orchestra is set up high on stage at loft level. It all works well and transitions easily with the story without fuss.

The Arts United Center, formerly known as the Performing Arts Center, is an impressive venue for local performances. Its modern, concrete architecture is a great fit next to the art museum in this downtown corner. Much of Fort Wayne's architecture is traditional and historic, so the moderness of this building is a nice complement for our town. I like the modern theatre, but I feel the seating must be updated, because the stark uniform rows of seats are, alas, not completely user-friendly. At the very least, the long rows desperately need a perpendicular aisle or two to make it easier for patrons to get to their seats. I also believe that the seats need to be angled to face the stage from the sides - sitting there requires turning at an awkward angle.

Tickets are available for Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8 p.m., and Sunday shows at 2 p.m. now through March 1. Inexpensive wine, beer, and other refreshments are available at the show. I think this is a perfect choice for date night. Welcome to the cabaret!