10-12-2014 Biking downtown Indy

We have now figured out the best bike route downtown from the northwest side of Indy (even though it's not what Google maps told us).  It's a pleasant ride, mostly through residential neighborhoods (in Cara's childhood stomping grounds) and on the White River Greenway Trail.  We enjoyed a nice, rain-free day walking around downtown, then we had dinner at Tin Roof before heading home.

The White River Trail by Cold Spring Road and the golf course on the northwest side of Indy

The dam on White River near downtown

There are lots of great views of White River all along the trail

Looking across the river we could see the "Sky Ride" at the Indianapolis Zoo.  We later learned that it had stopped and
trapped a couple of people in the air that night.

The White River Trail near the IUPUI campus.  You can see Lucas Oil Stadium in the distance on the right.

We took a quick break near White River State Park

You can see the walking bridge over White River that leads from White River State Park to the Indianapolis Zoo.

Entering White River State Park

Indiana State House

A little history of the State House

Closeup showing the original plat of Indianapolis from 1821 - very cool!

Another view of the Indiana State House

We happened upon something going on at Monument Circle.  First there was singing and music.  Later someone appeared to
be preaching.

Indianapolis is the first U.S. city to have blue cars (like ZipCars we've seen in other cities, except these were made in France
and go about 150 miles on a single charge).  There are currently charging stations downtown and at the airport, though more
are in the works.

The blueindy cars are there for customers to use as needed, and you pay per use.

A Martin Luther King Jr. memorial on the Cultural Trail downtown

The plaque tells of major events in the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Tin Roof has a totally different menu than last time we were there.  This is Cara's Taco Salad.

Eric's spicy wings

10-11-2014 Pirate Paddle & Party

Our friend Theresa Kulczak, Skipper of Hoosier Canoe Club, puts on a great event that we've gone to many times.  It is the Pirate Paddle on White River.  Everybody dresses up like pirates, talks like pirates, and decorates their boats like pirate ships.  This time we paddled from 116th Street to White River Yacht Club at 75th Street.  Then we ate a buffet dinner and partied like pirates to the tunes of The Sea Dogs.  We got to hang out with river friends we haven't seen in a while, which was wonderful.  A great time was had by all!

Pirates gathering at the put-in at 116th Street

Arrrr matey - ye don't want to cross this pirate!

And ye definitely must steer clear of this one!

Pirates gathering at the put-in, ready to set sail

What's not to like about a pirate event on the water?!

Even the dogs enjoy some good pirate fun

Don't fall in the water - there are sharks in White River today!

Our good friends Phil and Betsy Fox, who we normally only get to paddle with in Michigan
at the Michigan Paddlers Rendezvous

The put-in at 116th Street

Pirates afloat!

Too bad it's not quite in focus - this was one of the best decorated boats!

Cara the Pirate (although she was told she looked more like a hippie pirate - lol)

The leaves were just starting to change colors

Uh oh - they capsized!

Cara paddling with friend, Darlene Patterson, talking the whole time so the trip flew right by!

Hmmm....not quite sure what you call this boat, but it looks like a fun place to party.  (It was just passing by.)

The take-out at White River Yacht Club

Beautiful skies - thankfully we had good weather and no rain for the paddle!

The dance floor on the deck at White River Yacht Club

That's Eric the Pirate sitting down on the left.

The deck is nice and made for a great gathering place.

I think this guy was annoyed because he couldn't quite reach his drink

10-5-2014 biking around town

We are staying at 49th and Kessler Avenue on central west side of Indy.  We decided to check out the bike trails on this side of town.  We got going at about 1:30 in the afternoon.

We picked up the trail at about 38th street and Cold Spring road.  Right by the Velodrome.  The trail mirrors the river for most the way.

The leaves are just starting to turn.

For a lot of the way the path is on top of the Levee

For some reason the Canal is red.  I had to know so I googled it and they said they turned the canal pink for breast cancer awareness.

Thankfully they have nice bridges and the trail is in good shape.

10-4-2014 Nashville Indiana

We didn't do a good job of getting any pictures today.  We got up early and our friend George came by.  For over 10 years we have traded help in computers for help with our bus.  George just got a smartphone and we got him started down that path.

After that we went to our friend's mother's "life celebration".

At about 4:30 we headed to Nashville Indiana to have dinner with a guy that helped start www.IndianaOutfitters.com in 1999.  It was his wife's birthday.

Sweet Potato Fries

Salad

Pork Chop with mixed Vegetables and Baked Potato

10-3-2014 First Friday in Indianapolis

Every first Friday in Indianapolis means that many of the artists in the city open up their space to show off their works.  One of the hotspots for this is the Murphy Building in Fountain Square.  We headed over there after work.

We had a gift certificate to the mexican restaurant called El Arado.  It is a so so place, but usually they have really good Fajitas.  This time the beans were badly scorched.  (Somebody knew they scorched the beans, but they served them anyway!)

Vegetable Fajitas

In the Murphy Building they were showing off a new hopeful company that wants to put in a classic arcade.  They have an
indie go go campaign which is a crowd sourced way to get money.  I hope they funded.

An example of the art in the building

A funny way to say watch your step

This had really solid construction of solid wood laminated.

There is a new place called hi fi which has a lot of live music coming.

10-2-2014 Cara's birthday

Our friend Mark Wilcher threw a birthday party for Cara.  It was very much appreciated.  We didnt take as many pictures as we should have.