31 August 2013

On the road - Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Indiana
Honey, I'm home!

I've spent a few days at the gathering of the clans of Volunteer Program Managers in Healthcare in Indianapolis. I traveled light this time, no check-in bag, all my reading material on a tablet, clothes rolled up tightly so all I had to carry was a back pack. In the past I have often served as event photographer for this group but since I didn't have that responsibility this time I was a free spirit.

I am a pretty solo operator at these huge conferences. I participate in all the educational sessions but as soon as they are done I am out the door zipping around town trying to see everything I can in my limited time. I'm not sure I could find a partner who was interested in walking as far and as fast as I do. I took the elevator to the top of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, checked out Massachusetts Avenue neighborhood, watched the paddle boarders at White River State Park, I walked the canal walk (great murals!) all the way to the end and ate dinner at the Celebration Cafe (yay for Devour Indy Restaurant Week). I hailed a cab to take me to Crown Hill Cemetery to look for John Dillinger's grave. I'll save the cemetery shots for another entry.

As always it is nice to be home. As I waited in the Charleston Airport last Wednesday I overheard a conversation that went this way, "People are so nice here. I wonder why they are so nice?" Thoughtful pause. Then, "Maybe WE should try being nicer."

Charleston is good to come home to!


View down Washington St., Indianapolis
Canal Walk murals, Indianapolis
Gondola rides on the canal
Murals - Indianapolis canal walk
Soldiers & Sailors Monument, Indianapolis
Kurt Vonnegut mural, Indianapolis
Paddle boarders catching a smooch!

14 comments:

Lowandslow said...

I'm impressed that you can go to a new city and ALWAYS find the good stuff to see and share with us. Thanks.

S

Marcheline said...

Great stuff!! I absolutely adore the glam eggplant... how big is that thing? And I've always heard that gondola rides were romantic... but not with forty people in the same one, I imagine. 8-) Great mural finds!!

Catalyst said...

I worked there in the early '70's but haven't been back for decades. Obviously the city has changed a lot!

Charlestonjoan said...

I love checking out a new town. Speaking of...it might be time for you and your sweetheart to think about a Charleston trip?

Charlestonjoan said...

It was big. It was in a glassed in walkway garden over the street. I think it was called Art Garden. I was impressed with how many art installations they had in place. I think we are slipping behind in Charleston.

Charlestonjoan said...

Bruce, There were great wide sidewalks for bikes and pedestrians. I think I'd ride a bike there. The canal had lots of murals painted under the bridges but could use more waterfront cafes.

chuckography said...

Welcome back home.
As they say "...so it goes."

Charlestonjoan said...

Thanks Chuck! I was so pleased to see Kurt. It is his hometown. They had a library named after him.

Frank Phillippi said...

Joan,
Thanks for photos. Downtown Indianapolis has become a great city for walking and biking. Many of the changes began when the city decided to restore the old canal (my brother-in-law was project manager) as anchor for the near westside...now home to the zoo, the Eiteljorg art museum and the state museum.

Pixel Peeper said...

I believe you have the skill to see more of any town in a few short days than many locals do in years of living there. Great photos!

Jack said...

I still twitch when I hear the name Indianapolis. I spent some time at Fort Benjamin Harrison several decades ago. I was a terrible soldier. And a reluctant one.

Charlestonjoan said...

The Chamber of Commerce should sponsor me, shouldn't they? I do like reading the New York Times Magazine articles where they do "Thirty Six Hours In *****" and suggest what you could do in different locations. That would be a fun project.

Charlestonjoan said...

Ugggh. I can't even imagine. I'd be a terrible soldier as well.

Paul said...

Excellent photos, Joan. These make me want to visit Indianapolis, and I've never even thought of doing that. :) I'd walk with you, though. Not sure of what your pace is, especially while taking photographs, but I'd probably be able to make it. :D