cedar house terracePhotos courtesy of Cedar House and Visit Bloomington
BROWN COUNTY cabins are getting all the love, but it’s time Monroe County was on your radar. Rentals around Lake Monroe have the advantage of being within shouting distance of the three public beaches of the largest body of water in the state. And as nice as it is to dive into these cool waters, this hideaway just south of Bloomington has so much more to offer.
Airbnb cabins and lake houses, from traditional to modern to quirky, abound. Take cedar house, which sits on six acres (frequented by rabbits, the owners say) and is a four-minute drive from the lake. It has a pool table and retro arcade games, plus a rambling porch perfect for stargazing. The hearth only asks for s’mores. Even closer to the lake, historic refuge, a church built in 1872, has been updated with contemporary decor and amenities. It’s just a simple piece, but every square inch is maximized. A vintage camera screen has even found its place.
The lake is known for bass fishing, so you’ll find plenty of watercraft for rent, from pontoons and double-decker party boats to kayaks and WaveRunners. When you’re ready to return to earth, walk the 1.2 miles Ted T Turtle Trail. to Hardin Ridge Recreation Area for its babbling creek and verdant valley. Easy-to-read signs succinctly explain highlights of local wildlife, history, and geology. Birdwatchers rejoice: it’s easy to spot red-bellied woodpeckers, eastern bluebirds, warblers galore, blue herons, great egrets, red-headed vultures, red-tailed hawks and ospreys. And then there’s the state’s conservation success story, the American bald eagle. Ken Keffer, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited which opens this month in Bloomington, calls Lake Monroe a hotspot for eagle-watching. Although their numbers are highest in winter when the birds are nesting, young eagles can be seen fishing in the recreation areas of Paynetown and Cutright all summer long.
DISTANCE
72 miles
DRIVING TIME
1h15
TO TASTE
Keep it nature-themed at The Elm (elmbloomington.com). The wooded restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
ASCEND
Stunning views await with SkyVista Ballooning (skyvistaballooning.com). Flights last about an hour, but will pass in a heartbeat.
WAGGLE
On the way back, stop at McCormick’s Creek State Park (812-829-2235). Don’t miss the waterfall, Wolf Cave and the remains of an old farmhouse.
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