Driving through corn and soy bean fields in southern Indiana was the norm for Day 4 at Rally North America 2023. Yes, we left beautiful French Lick Springs Hotel after saying goodbye to Larry Bird Boulevard. By the way, Larry does have a home in West Baden, Indiana today with a leprechaun in his front yard.
Rally North American rolled out on the backroads of southern Indiana at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. After driving in circles and stopping for a Dr. Pepper and a donut, Team Shewbop headed to Paoli, Indiana and missed Checkpoint 1 due to having the incorrect agenda for Day 4. Checkpoint 1 was Mitchell, Indiana and the home of the Memorial honoring the seven Mercury astronauts and America’ second man in space, Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom. Mitchell is his hometown.
Checkpoint 2 took the Rally to Scottsburg, Indiana in search of Scott Spielman and “Scott signs.” Team Shewbop passed through Scottsburg after riding through a corn and soy bean maze. Rally teams had to take pictures of 10 signs with name “Scott” featured before clearing this checkpoint. Another 10 signs were worth 10 points each and 5 more signs were worth 20 points.
Checkpoint 3 was the Markland Park Dam which is just west of Florence, Indiana and the Belterra Hotel and Casino. The dam and bridge crossing back into Kentucky are in Switzerland County. This county claims to be “The Birthplace of Commercial Wine Making.” Rally teams were required to video their team crossing back into Kentucky or crossing the bridge to clear Checkpoint 3.
Checkpoint 4 took Rally America to the Rabbit Hash General Store which has been in continuous operation since 1831. Upon arrival, many cars and participants were eating lunch on picnic tables overlooking the Ohio River and happy to be back in Kentucky after not getting lost in southern Indiana. Another picture was required in front of the Rabbit Hash General Store to clear this checkpoint.
Checkpoint 5, the final leg of the Rally, was in Burlington, Kentucky. Rally participants were required to snap a photo at scenic Devou Park overlooking Covington. The Finish Line was Hotel Covington. It appeared most of the Rally teams were happy to arrive and enjoyed their event. At last count, $225,000 was raised for C.O.P.S. Missing accomplished!
