Hoosier Hill, Indiana

Elevation: 1,257 ft.

Summit Attained: Approximately 7 p.m., 04/15/08

It was getting late in the first day of my journey, and the sun was beginning to set as I picked up Rt. 70 about an hour east of the Ohio-Indiana border (at the time, I was completely unaware that I would be traveling on I-70 until I was halfway through Utah). Just after crossing into Indiana, I took exit 153 and headed south on State Route 227 toward the small town of Richmond, Indiana. 

The 10 miles or so on S.R. 227 were quite exciting, and more than a little nauseating.  The road dips and rises relentlessly, like some sort of perverse rollercoaster.  You literally lose your stomach every ten seconds.  I love rides, but after a few miles I was praying for it to end.  It did, eventually, just after the “town” of Bethel, where I turned left onto County Line Road.  I next reached an intersection with Elliot Road, where I turned and headed 0.3 miles to the small wooded area located just off the left side of the road. 

As I parked my car in the gravel turnoff, I noticed that the middle of the grove of trees had been cleared out and mulched.  There was also a sign and bench, and a young couple sitting on a bench enjoying the last remnants of daylight.  Trying not to disturb them, I snapped a few photos from various angles, tagged the sign, and returned to my car. 

Hoosier Hill isn’t really a hill, and it’s not the world’s greatest adventure to get to, but as I drove back toward I-70 on S.R. 227, the dips in the road reminded me that every highpoint has something unique about it, something that all highpointers remember.  For Hoosier Hill: do not eat a big meal before driving to this one.