#6: [16-May-18]

#5: [04-Jun-16]

#2: [04-Sep-00]

#1: [23-Jul-00]

#4: [13-Jan-08] (incomplete)

19-Feb-2011 -- We headed north on Interstate Highway 65, crossing the Ohio River into Indiana at Louisville, KY.

When my husband proposed combining his observance of the 15th anniversary of International Confluence Day with quick visits to our two sons along the way, I happily signed on.

As Indiana was one of his 2011 targets, we decided to spend a leisurely Saturday reconnoitering the southeast part of the state as we drove towards his Ohio target near Dayton.

Exactly how scenic our drive would be was predicted by a warning sign as we turned onto Indiana Highway 62, advising all trucks and other large vehicles to use an alternative route of I-65 and US Route 50 to reach Dillsboro, IN. “Twists and turns” does not do justice in describing this road, but on an almost spring-like day, we enjoyed quite a pleasant journey. The town of Madison on the north bank of the Ohio River was particularly attractive. Things were very quiet as we passed through Friendship, but we could envision the crowds that would be there during the annual National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association event…

At Dillsboro, we turned southeast on IN-262, then back north on Husseman Road, paralleling the course of a very dry Laugherty Creek. At a mailbox labeled “Weber” we turned left into a small farmyard where we correctly guessed 39N 85W was located up the hill beside a small man-made pond.

After knocking on the front door, we met the owner at the side door, where the conversation went something like this: I mention the DCP and asked for his OK to take some pictures by his pond. “Well, there’s nothing to see up there. Why are you here?” I start to explain about the project, but he interrupted “I know about latitude and longitude, but why are you here?” I remind him of the two groups who were here over ten years ago, and he says “I think I remember you,” but he gives his permission, saying “You all are still crazy!” I mention he turned off the electric fence for the last group, and he replies “Don’t have one anymore. Don’t need it. No more cows.” We say thanks. He says walk around his barn to avoid the mud, and concludes “There’s still nothing to see up there…”

Without the cattle grazing, the short, steep walk up to the pond is now through vegetation over knee deep. As indicated by Google Earth, the point is about ten feet northwest of the pond, and not in it, as reported by Rick Smeltzer in July of 2000. We take pictures and head on our way. An enjoyable visit but with the slow roads we will look for another International Confluence Day target…

We take US-50 west from Dillsboro, then turn north on IN-101. Shortly after, we pass through Milan, home of the small high school (enrollment 161) that shocked the Indiana basketball world by winning the 1954 state championship. The team and town are the inspiration for the 1986 film “Hoosiers,” with Gene Hackman. Another unexpected treat courtesy of the DCP! Appropriately, the radio reports a number of collegiate basketball upsets this afternoon, all beneficial to the ranking of our beloved Duke University…