Family Fun Friday – March 26

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 …

Family Fun Friday – March 19

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.

Family Fun Day – March 5

A new adventure in a familiar place. We headed over to Wayne County to run a loop and hit the 3 key actions – Culture, Activity, and Food.

First up a stop at the Richmond Art Museum. Did you even know they had one? Did you know it’s Free! Just the right size to spend a couple hours, see some great art and artists (did you notice the TC Steele painting above?). Let’s check culture of the list.

Then we stumbled upon Whitewater Gorge Park and the bridge that Riley has now dubbed his #1 scary bridge. That’s big considering the rope bridge in Guatemala he has been on (once!). We think this was a double win … walking activity and culture … we even took in a beautiful abstract painting on a pillar.

We added a stop at the Warm Glow Candle Shop Outlet. Riley got some Bacon Salsa. This is a fun stop right off I-70 at Centerville. We also do some shopping (let’s be honest mostly looking) at lots of oddities at the Centerville Antique Market.

I’ll be honest the shopping was just a delay tactic to make it late enough to justify eating at the #9 Grill in Cambridge City. Great Steak in an old building at great price and Prime Rib doesn’t get served until after 3 pm on Fridays. When you have been there enough you know these things.

A fun day filled with stops at familiar places and we started with two new stops in Richmond. We will definitely keep this in our loop, but I am not sure we will get Riley on the bridge a second time.

Oh, and we called it a day by picking up our creations just before close from last week.

Quite honestly after some of the artwork we saw today. You might see these items in your local Art Museum some day. I think we are all pretty creative and I might add tired from a day of culture, activity, and really good food!