September 4, 2013

We left the Great Lakes Naval Base and headed for another Capitol Tour in Madison, WI  We arrived just on time for the second tour of the day and I think that Jim has done more than one tour.  He would be great for kids of all ages.

The Capitol Building is located on a strip of land between Lakes Monona and Lake Mendota

The outside of the building is made from Granite from 8 states in the US with Vermont being one of the main sources.  We were surprised that there was no typical airport screening when we entered the building.

The rotunda is claimed to be the 4th largest in the world measured by volume.

This is a view from an outdoor walkway outside the 6th level.  What a great view.

This is the conference room of the governor.  His office is just beyond the doors behind Jim, our tour guide.

After collective bargaining was all but eradicated, people are expected to give more.  A blood drive in the capitol???

When we got on to the elevator to ride to the lookout, the person asked what floor we were going to.  We responded 4.  He then commented something about the singers at noon...also something about getting arrested.  I almost asked him if peoples 1st amendment rights were being taken away.  There was no Where's Grammie pic for today, we didn't want you to see her get arrested.

There was a farmers market just down the street so we took a walk down.  Plenty of veggies for sale.  20 pounds of tomatoes for $10.  If we had some bread and mayonnnaise, Tom would have been in heaven by the time he got to Minnesota.

So this afternoon Tom realized that last night he laid his head less than 10 miles from the Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois.  Bummer.  Oh well, more golf ahead.

1765 miles down and in 7 more days we will be in Cheyenne visiting Doug and Robin.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - See more at: http://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1/amendment.html#sthash.zmFL5DkM.dpuf

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - See more at: http://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1/amendment.html#sthash.zmFL5DkM.dpuf

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - See more at: http://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1/amendment.html#sthash.zmFL5DkM.dpuf

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.