September 3, 2013

Today was the last day in Indy.  We braved another day riding into the city to visit the Capitol.

The building took 10 years to build at a cost of just under 2 million.

A view of the dome in the rotunda.

Just outside the Lieutenant Governor's office  is "Harley" the Hog

The Royal Charter given by King Charles of England to William Penn was printed by Ben Franklin in 1742.  It is currently located in the public Law Library in the Capitol.

On the way out of town, heading North, Tom just couldn't resist this one. 

"It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank, half pack of cigarettes, it's dark out, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it."  

 

Grammie was found in Chicago at the Millennium.  A 24 acre park in the middle of the city featuring flowers, art work, places to eat and plenty of room to hang out.

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion for the performances and concerts, with plenty of seats and more grass for the overflow crowd.

The Lurie flower gardens are still  in bloom.

All of the flowers were just so beautiful.

The Cloud Gate is a highly polished metal surface with an unusual shape.  

 

  No need of asking someone to take your picture...just do it yourself.

 

Another reflection on Cloud Gate.

Let's see who identifies this plant.

Found Grammie again.  Monumental ceramic sculpture done by Jan Kaneko  There were many more of all colors.

September 2, 2013

Well, today was Indianapolis day.  We decided to take a tour of a Historic Place.  It was designated as such in 1975.

 

 Well, this place probably wasn't what you expected...but it is now a historic place.

 We took a grounds tour which included a visit to the Indy Hall of Fame, a ride on the racetrack...by bus, and a look at different places in the infield.

The "Brickyard" was the name given to the track after 3.2 million bricks were laid down in 2 months using around the clock shifts.  It was surfaced with bricks in 1909.

Today we found Grammie in several places including the Hall of Fame.  About 90 % of the many cars in the Hall of Fame are in the same shape, including tires, with which they finished the race.

The above car was used by the first female ever to lead a lap in the Indy 500....Danica

 A replica of the one used by Mario to win in 1969.

Parnelli winning in 1963

Richard Petty in a NASCAR type the first year they were raced at the Brickyard.

The first car ever to win an Indy 500...used in 1911.

We find Grammie again on the Brickyard section of the straightaway.  It is at the finish line.

Another view of the bricks looking across the track.

Tom standing in the middle of some winners spinout.

The flagman's nest occupied by 3 during the race...The flagman, the assistant...and the camera man.

A view of the final straightaway.

Looking past the start line towards turn 1.

Turn 2 out by the golf course.  Did you know that holes 7, 8, 9, and 10 are inside the track?

A view of the winners circle from the track.

Grammie is  ready to answer questions from the press room after getting the run around.

A view of one of the VIP rooms above Gasoline Alley.  All this can be yours for 12 hours per day for 17 days in August.  You and your Corporation can have up to 80 people for $65,000.

 Looking through Gasoline alley into the work area out back.  For $40 you can have access to this area during the race...but no seats for the race.

The Race Control room.  From here, all areas of the track can be monitored and scanned for problems.  As the story by the tour guide went, if a watch was lost on the track, the cameras could read the second hand on the watch.

Tom waiting his turn on the 7th tee.  Parred this one.

Chipping up on the 8th hole.  Par again.

Couldn't help but taking a pic with a Brickyard flag.

Tom waiting for his turn to put.  Made birdie.

 In the afternoon, we finally got the camera down to the Canal area,

 Tourists (unknown) enjoying the ride.

Paddle boats, kayaks, and an assortment of bikes are available to use in the 3 mile canal area.

Pieces of the twin towers places here as part of a 911 memorial.

Hope you enjoyed looking today.  Tomorrow we are going to visit the State Capitol building.

September 1, 2013

Good evening all.

Tonight we are in Indianapolis, IN.  Today's different license plates seen were  KY, VT, CA and NM.  The trip to Indy took about 6 hours  On the way we saw some welcome signs from different states.

Just down the road a bit we passed a vehicle hauling a jeep covered with mud.  Apparently this kind of activity is quite popular in the area.  Not sure if it the racing was local but there were plenty of dirty vehicles and 4 wheelers around.

After settling in, we went downtown to the canal walk.  Tom forgot the camera.  Even though we will probably go back tomorrow, here is a website with picture  to look at.  Enjoy.

Indianapolis Canal Walk

Have a good night all.

August 31, 2013

Good evening everyone.  Close to 5 hours on the road but the traveling was great.  Roads were wide open and traffic was flowing at an even pace.  The PA State Police were doing a great job at keeping the speeders down and thankfully the most common victims had New York license plates.  Too bad there weren't more Massachusetts drivers on the road...then the state would really get rich.

Todays different license plates were   OH, MI, MN, NC, OK, WV, IN, MO, KS, TN, WI, NV, MD, NB and OR.  That makes plates from 21 states.  Plenty of words to make with all those letters.

On the way across I-80 we saw a sign that read...Highest point on I-80 East of the Mississippi.  2250 ft.  I bet you didn't know that seeing that sign was on my bucket list.

For all of you who are waiting for the easy question,  It took one minute at 60 mph to increase 100 feet in altitude.  What was my speed?   For the hard question, what was the angle of the incline?

Towards the end of day we heard great news.  Maine girl to return home.  Tom's cousin Linda,  who neither one can remember the last time they saw each other, is in the process of selling their home in Beaver Falls PA and moving back to Maine.  Great...Mainer no longer living in Exile.  We had a great visit and look forward to seeing each other back in Maine.  It was so good to see Linda, and meeting Mike for the first time.  Now not all might agree, but I think that anyone that sends you on your way with some great tasting Teriyaki Beef Jerky has to be #1 in my books.  Thanks so much Mike. 

Tomorrow, next stop, Indianapolis.

August 30, 2013

Hi all, time to start back up with the travel blog.  Grammie is on the move again.  After all the hard work to get things together, cleaned, packed and ready to go, she certainly deserves a break.  Believe me, when she gets going, I didn't want to get in her way so I played golf on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Yesterday we left Newport around noon, stopped off to see 2 grandchildren on the way to stay overnight with my sister and brother in law.  As always, everyone is glad to see each other and share news and family happenings.

We covered a little over 300 miles today and are in central  Pennsylvania for the night.  Keep in mind that we started this blog originally for our children and grandchildren to keep an eye on us, and for us to share our travels.   For the kids, we saw license plates from ME, MA, TX, CT, NJ, NH, IL, NY, RI, PA, VA and AZ.  Hey grandkids, you can learn your postal abbreviations.  For you adults, you can try to see who can make the longest word using those letters...and for you Senior citizens, see if you can remember what those letters mean. (Use it or lose it)  A banana split is offered for the longest word.
(For those wishing to make a comment, underneath the blog entry click on comments, enter your comment and to identify yourself, click NAME/URL and enter the appropriate info.  I have already spelled a word so I can try for a banana split.)  You can only use letters in the quantity shown.

Once through the state of CT we had a nice peaceful ride through Pennsylvania and arrived at our modest military accommodations by mid afternoon.  We only occupy half of this building.

For all those who like sunshine, make sure to use sunscreen.  Before we left Thursday, Tom visited the dermatologist and had a piece on his neck excised for the 3rd time. Stitches are getting old.

Gotta love the Bridgestone golf commercials.

August 18, 2013

The last few days have been spent with family, just hanging out and enjoying each other's company.  On Thursday we went for a bike ride on the carriage roads on Mt Desert Island.  There were 17 of us in the group and all had fun riding.

The day was great for riding and the view from the top of Day Mountail Trail was gorgeous.

During the day Friday, Grammie got out some craft things for the grandchildren.

Today, Grammie was setting a good example for the grandchildren and showed them her waterboarding skills.

During the day, because of the 3 great sons-in-law, the moms got to relax.

We also celebrated the 2nd birthday of our youngest grandson.  Birthdays are occasions when all the grandchildren like to help with birthday gifts.

The birthday boy (engineer in training) gets a chance to consult with dad.

August 13, 2013

We started off the day with a healthy breakfast.  Grampy made some with a special ingredient for Drew and Ivy.  Double stuffed Oreo pancakes.

Today we took a hike on the Rift Trail.  We were well prepared for the hike.  Drew had a pocketknife, Becky had the water, Grammie had the first aid pack and Grampy had a candy bar.

So Grammie suggests to the grandchildren...ask Grampy if he will buy them an Ice Cream.  Her ulterior motive was that Grampy buy some Vanilla Ice Cream for her so she can have a Root Beer Float.

August 12, 2013

August 12, 2013  Great Pond
Our first full day at Great Pond.  We are in Bigelow cabin for the week and right now, Becky and Dana and
kids are here.  Down over a little 10 foot banking in front of the cabin is a small beach, just right in size to be able to watch 7 kids, ages 8 down to 2, and to keep a canoe or 2.  Picture is Grammie's resting chair.  A place to contemplate the days activities and happenings.