3rd Annual
Brown County Winter Hike
January 10, 2004

Shake the winter doldrums by attending the Third Annual Brown County Winter Hike in Brown County State Park on Saturday, January 10. The weekend includes other fun activities including an Elvis’s birthday celebration at the Brown County Inn, free winery tours, a pottery wood-fired kiln opening show and sale, and a Winter Craft Village sale at the park lodge.

There will be two self-directed routes available, one moderate and one for the more experienced hiker. The first group begins hiking at 9:00 a.m. The fee charged for Winter Hike participants of the event is the gate fee plus $1 per person.

The 3.5-mile moderate trail begins at the Park Nature Center, winds through the woods on a mostly paved trail and along Strahl Creek, and ends with a climb up several steep steps leading back to the Nature Center.

The 2.75-mile rugged, woodland route begins at the Recreation Building adjacent to the Rally Campground, circles Lake Ogle, and ends with a steep wooden stairway returning to the starting point.

Local Boy Scout troops will host a campfire and refreshments midway through the hike routes at the lake shelters.

But, if you find neither of these options appealing, you are welcome to try one of the Park’s nine other trails, ranging from easy to rugged.

You’ll be able to stoke up for your day’s enjoyment or smack down afterwards at the Hiker Buffet Luncheon from 11 to 2 at the Abe Martin Lodge. Some area restaurants will feature special hiker menus for the entire weekend.

Or you can wait for your loved ones’ return by exploring Winter Craft Village at the Abe Martin Lodge from 10 to 5. Area artisans will be displaying their products in the cabins surrounding the Lodge.

Celebrate the birthday of the greatest of American pop icons at the Brown County Inn after the hike. The show features the “The Mayor of Rock and Roll” Bruce Borders and his “A Tribute to Elvis.” If you take advantage of the Brown County Inn special weekend package you can also eat like Elvis at the “Kings” Dinner Buffet, and the “Kings” Breakfast Buffet on Sunday morning (812-988-2291 or 800-772-5249).

Another special event scheduled for Saturday is the “Free Winery Tour” with a complimentary glass of hot, mulled wine at the Brown County Winery (4520 State Road 46 East, 812-988-6144).

And on both Saturday and Sunday there will be a “Wood Fired Kiln Opening Show and Sale” at Spears Gallery (5110 State Road 135 South, 812-988-1287). The show and sale will feature “Pots to Use and Pots to Muse” from 10 to 5 on the 10th and noon to 5 on the 11th.

For dates, times and locations of specific events and activities call the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-753-3255, visit <www.browncountywinterhike.com>, stop by the Visitors Center at the corner of Main and Van Buren Streets in Nashville, Indiana.

Live like a king, eat like a king, walk like a king, and celebrate “The King” all on one winter’s weekend in beautiful Brown County.