You know you can live in place all your life and still not really know what is there. Now I have been to countless Indy 500 races and many other times to practice or the Museum, but never actually to Speedway, Indiana. Plus if you are going to get a once-in-a-lifetime vaccine for a pandemic, why not do it in an unique place? Hello Speedway!
From there it was an easy choice to check out Main Street Speedway and the sights. Who knew there was all these cool spots to see? The Dallara Factory, Antiques, Unique Shops – thanks Famous Tomato!, and Great Food and drink – thanks Daredevil Hall! (Don’t be afraid of the SparkPlug – beer and orange soda really do work well together!)
We even took time to check out another unique spot in town the Virginia Fairbanks Art Park at the Museum of Art. This is a fun place for a walk, but very short on Art. Perhaps after 10 years they might have have installed more than a few sculptures – Have I told you about Pyramid Hill in Cincy?
All in all this was a great family day.
So here’s the lesson – some of the best things to do are right in your backyard, your neighborhood, or your city. You don’t have to travel far to find something new or surprising.
As a matter of fact, you don’t have to wait for a race to have fun in the Racing Capital of the World.
If you have ever wondered how to plan a fun day trip …. wonder know more …
So it’s Thursday Night and I am asked, “What are we going to do tomorrow?”
It happens every Thursday, but this was different because I really had no idea.
Many of the things we would normally do at this time of year, we have done recently or are downtown. And honestly with the increased crowds from March Madness we just simply were trying to avoid Indy. Plus, I just didn’t want to drive very far …
So, what to do?
As Sherry and I talked … we have enjoyed our excursions to Antique Malls and there is one that has been recommended by several people that we have not been to … yet.
So we have a destination – Gilley’s Antique Mall in Plainfield, but that won’t fill the day … plus where is the food and the aesthetics?
A quick search on Trip Advisor … gave me some options … and before you knew it we had a plan.
Our day begins with a late breakfast on the Historic National Road
Hard to beat good diner food … unless you can add a great cup of diner coffee!
and Riley loved the wall of 8 tracks and cassettes! Oh and did I mention that the Oasis Diner was first opened in 1954 and is well worth the trip! And we didn’t have to go far as the diner was right be in the Bicentennial Park Bridge which means we got bonus culture and activity with a short walk.
Now just a short drive west on the Old National Road and we have a bit of walking to do as we check out all that there is at Gilley’s!
The fun of places like Gilley’s is all the things you see. It is a trip down memory lane as you find things from your childhood and you hear a clock chime with the same sound as one the used to ring at your Grandparent’s house. Plus there is the unusual – weird primitive bunnies that look more like potatoes or Beeker dressed up as a bunny. Sherry found the perfect Covid Safe Salt and Pepper Shakers. And yes, we always find a something affordable … an amazing blown glass flower for only $12 – that’s right only $12 and it is now resting at our house! Who said I never buy Sherry flowers.
Add in a stop to fill up the car with a gas … and the realization that it is only the second time in a year that I have put gas in my Mazda – Wow! Plus a stop at Tractor supply for dog food and we are off for a walk in a park, but not just any park – The Sodalis Nature Park.
Lots of trails through the woods and around the lake with a bonus of being greeted by spillway waterfall. A bit chilly, but the signs of spring were all around us.
Not a bad day for having nothing planned 12 hours earlier. A recommendation from a few friends … a quick search … and three stops turned into a full day with all three boxes checked.
And definite plans to return to the Oasis to try more things on the menu !
Happy Friday Greetings! and that a wrap until after Easter …
When something that is a once in a lifetime event happens … you take it in.
I have always loved this city and the way this city embraces sports. That was never more evident than in a day spent driving around the city as March Madness kicked off.
People were here for all over the country taking in a place that embraces hospitality and loves basketball. From iconic places like the Fairgrounds Coliseum to Hinkle Fieldhouse from Mackey Arena to Assembly Hall and don’t forget the new places like Lucas Oil and Banker’s Life … this city was alive again and loving basketball.
This was an adventure. We drove around. I would jump out of the car to take photos and Sherry would try to navigate her way back to me while avoiding street closures, construction, and police that wanted you to keep moving!
We even managed to drive by the Children’s Museum to see the Dinosaurs decked out for March Madness. I don’t think the city missed a trick. Before the Madness ends … take a drive around the city and be inspired by the life that is returning to this great city.
We ended our day in Broad Ripple at one of our favorite places – Half Litre BBQ. We indulged in some favorites and Riley tried something new – Triple Jam – it seemed fitting for our journey.
We finished everything in time to settle in at home for the games on TV – only to see our brackets busted and our hearts broken.
But there is always next year … and another month of madness to look forward too.
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As a side note, we were excited to see our beloved LN Wildcats win on Saturday. They will now play for a State Championship the first Saturday in April.
You see in Indiana one month isn’t enough to cover the Madness that is Basketball.
