Holiday Meetup 2026—Cruising the HNF

Join us on Saturday, December 12, 2026, for a SubieCrew Holiday Cruise around the back roads of the Birdseye area of the Hoosier National Forest! We’ll meet at 11amET at the Schwartz Family Restaurant.

THE DRIVE: From the Schwartz parking lot, we’ll head directly onto the back (mostly gravel) roads of the HNF in Birdseye. In addition to scenic forest roads, there are chances of wildlife sightings, including native deer as well as horses using the multi-use trails.

We’ll check out a couple of pioneer cemeteries hidden deep in the forest. We’ll also have a chance to do some mild off-roading, including a shallow creek crossing. X-mode will probably NOT be necessary, so don’t let a little mud scare you away.

SUV-type clearance IS a good idea, though, so anyone who wants to come along in their Legacy, Impreza, WRX, or BRZ may want to park creekside when we venture off-road a ways. The creek area also makes a great spot for fun photos for anyone who wants to snap some pics of their whip in the wild.

THE MEAL: After an hour or two cruising the back roads, we’ll end up back at Schwartz Family Restaurant for a delicious lunch. Schwartz is famous for its homemade Amish-style fried chicken, dumplings, noodles, vegetable sides, and desserts. You can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet or order individual meals. Pants with an elastic waist are highly encouraged.

THE DRESS CODE: In the spirit of the holidays, we encourage everyone to wear their most festive holiday garb, including ugly Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, etc. While not required, those not dressing in a festive manner may be reported to the Man in Red for potential changes to the naughty/nice list.

BONUS OPPORTUNITY: After lunch, there will be plenty of daylight left for anyone who wants to get a little exercise at one of the most beautiful natural areas within the HNF: Hemlock Cliffs. A 1.4-mile loop trail takes hikers through a box canyon filled with seasonal waterfalls, huge sandstone cliffs, and a massive rock shelter.