Covered Bridges and Indy Speedway !!!

Yesterday was an amazing day.  We went out in search of the covered bridges I wanted to see so badly.  Parke County was supposed to be the place to see them.

For some reason, these old structures have some sort of charm for me.  It's such a piece of history and if they could speak they would tell us  about all the horse and buggy carriages that came through with the ladies in their finest and the men all dapper and having just had the weekly bath!

Yes, I do have a vivid imagination!

Just look at this, isn't it beautiful?  Can you hear the horses hooves? (hoofs?)
Aw c'mon, you can imagine can't you?


The reason they built covered bridges,  is that the roof kept the beams and timbers from being hammered by the weather.  To see the inside of one, you would wonder if it will ever come down.  They are as sturdy and strong as can be.

We saw several of these beautiful structures within just a couple miles.  Each bridge had the same thing painted above the entrance:  The year it was built; the name of the builder; the name of the bridge; and the instruction to "walk" through the bridge.  Obviously meaning to walk your horses.

This was the last one we saw and probably the most beautiful one.  It was certainly the longest one and was painted red.  It is over a beautiful river and the falls you see in the picture just add to the ambiance.   It is a beautiful setting for sure.

After leaving the area of the covered bridges, we encountered a sign on this very small badly paved road that said "Barn Sale"....being the nosey one, I said to Wayne, "let's stop there"....

We got out of the car, walked up to this huge white barn with 3-4 people inside.  Just outside the entrance was an old fashioned metal tub filled with a burning fire.  I stopped  just for a minute and warmed my hands, felt good.  The guy walked up and said "feels good don't it?"....my thoughts exactly!   He said he'd come on down here about 5:00 this morning and started it up.

We went on inside and there were table after table of the usual garage sale stuff but in these parts, it was a Barn Sale.  They had an old fashioned, I mean REALLY old fashioned stove they wanted $250 for and the note said "Firm".  I'm sure it would have been a good buy, but what would I do with it?

We bid the guy goodbye and asked if there were a nice place to spend the night somewhere nearby.  Well, that started a long conversation about how we could "go on down to the county line, over to ....."  none of which was either intelligible  to us or informative so we thanked him and got back into the car.

Then, after a few miles, we began to hear banjo's playing if you know what I mean.  Our GPS lady we were sure had lost her electronic mind since she had us driving on gravel roads only slightly wider than our car and badly paved roads.  After what seemed like an eternity, we finally found a real  road with real civilization and off we went.

It turned out we got a room in Indianapolis at the Hampton Inn.  We were really tired after our adventure that day.

Then, this morning, our GPS lady led us to the Indianapolis Speedway and boy what fun we had there!

We drove and drove and drove alongside the speedway, only to see the back of the stands.  Had no idea it was so big! Wow, it just went on forever!

Look!  There is an open gate!  Turn in, turn in!  The stern guard at the gate when asked if we could just come in for a minute to see the track responded with a very determined "Nope, not from this end"......she then went on to explain how we could get into the inside so off we went back to where we were to begin with.  Although her instructions were a bit confusing at first, they became crystal clear when we got to where she told us to go.

We went thru a tunnel, under the speedway and up into the inside of the track.  There was a huge building that housed a museum and two gift shops.  Reading the signs, we see there is a tour we can take ON the track!  How exciting.  

We go into the building and buy our tickets for the ride!  The tickets were a whopping $3 each!  Can't beat that price!  It's now 11:10 and the lady says the next ride leaves at 11:30.  Wow, not only accidentally finding this place but also our timing was  perfect!

We got onto the shuttle type bus thing, one of those 10-12 passenger vans you see taking people to and from airports and hotels.  We were the first on so we sat right in the front where I could video out the front window and the side too.

What a thrill that ride was!  They told us all sorts of details about the racetrack and history of it's drivers.  One of the things I found interesting was that to illustrate the speed the drivers are running, it would be like going the length of a football field in  .9 seconds!!  That is, less than one second to cover the length of a football field.  Now that's fast!!!

Entering the track

   Into turn one

                                                         The straightaway to the finish line.

The famous "Gasoline Alley"

The bricks remaining in the finish line.

I didn't know this, but they said that the original bricks were not taken up, but covered and are still there below all the  surfacing that has taken place since.

They left the ones in a few rows only at the finish line.

It was a thrilling morning for us and we are not even necessarily race fans!  It was an impressive place for sure.  

We left Indianapolis and headed west for the first time since we left home almost a month ago now.  We plan to go back and see Mt. Rushmore on the way home and of course we are going back through Yellowstone one more time!

You cannot absolutely cannot spend too much time in Yellowstone!

We are staying tonight in a place called Ottawa Illinois and I must say not to impressed.  We got into our room at the Holiday Inn Express and freshened up a bit.  We left to go find a nice place to have dinner.  Well we drove and drove and drove around and around and could not find anything but fast food places.  No "hot food you eat with a fork" as we used to say during baseball season.  

After spending too much time driving around, we just gave up, went to McDonald's and brought our "dinner" back in a paper bag!

Tomorrow will be another exciting day, I'm sure.  What will we find tomorrow?

More later.....

Love to all

Wayne and Colleen

Parke County Here We Come

What is Parke County you ask?  Hmmm?  You didn't ask?  Well I'll tell you anyway.  Parke County boasts the most covered bridges in the country.  There are 31 covered bridges along with Amish Communities.  It is for that reason that I decided a while back that I would like to see it.

This morning we are in Peoria, Illinois and will be in Parke County in just a few hours.  Since we left Sioux Falls on Friday, we have had nothing but cloudy, rain, overcast, rain, heavy dark clouds, rain and well, you get the picture.

Friday night we spent in Des Moines, Iowa and I haven't felt a bone chilling icy cold wind like that in a long time.  The wind was about 20 mph and went clear through to your bones.  Just unloading the car was a challenge.

Yesterday we drove from Des Moines, Iowa to Peoria Illinois.  It was a short trip, only about 4 hours but Wayne is feeling so bad that he was ready for a rest.  He is being such a trooper.  While we were still in Sioux Falls, I said we should probably just turn around, head west, and get him home.  Knowing how I had been looking forward to seeing Parke County, he said he wanted to try it so on we came.

After we see Parke County today and tomorrow, we will head back west and go back through Yellowstone and on the way, stop to see Mt. Rushmore.  We never have made it there yet and Wayne hasn't seen it.

There haven't been any pictures or videos for a while because we haven't seen the sun for a while and haven't taken any pics.  Today will be different, we will get lots of pictures.  The weatherman on tv has assured me that today (Sunday) will be bright and sun shiny for our day in Parke County.

We will get packed up here and head out soon.

Thanks for following us and our love to all.
Wayne and Colleen

Goodbye Sioux Falls

This morning we bid adieu to Sioux Falls.  Our week there did not work out as hoped, but we did get to see Nicole three times.  All three visits were supervised by her new Service Coordinator Jessica Bauers.  Yesterday, our third visit, was the first time we were "allowed" to take Nicole out  for lunch.  Of course the weather had been perfect all week until yesterday and it was cold and rainy.

Nicole's mother continues (11 years now) to be ....how can I say this nicely...a problem.  But we are continuing our fight and will prevail in the end.

Wayne is sick.  He caught some sort of bug and is all stuffed up and has a sore throat. I drove today so he could rest.  He insisted on going on with our trip.  I said this morning that I thought we should head home, but he knows how I was looking forward to seeing Parke County Indiana, (covered bridges and amish communities) so he said he wanted to go on.

I did agree that after Parke County, we would take a U turn and head back west.  We are going back through Yellowstone again and before that, will finally see Mt. Rushmore.  I used to live there so I've seen it but Wayne has never seen it.

We drove to Des Moines Iowa today.  It poured rain and blew an icy frigid wind all day.  We stopped in almost the first place we spotted, a Holiday Express and Wayne has been asleep for a while now.  I hope he wakes up feeling better.

Onward and Upward.......we are trying.

Falls Park, Sioux Falls

Hello from Sioux Falls.  Today we went downtown to Falls Park.  It's a nice little park with a piece of the Big Sioux River and Falls running through it.

It was a really nice day, although a bit windy.  The last few seconds of the video taken from the car and during the right turn, is Achieve where we are going tomorrow in hopes of seeing Nicole.

Today we unloaded more stuff from the car and I unpacked the suitcases, hung up clothes and generally put things away and organized our stuff here in the room since we will be here for a week.

The people here are so nice, it's incredible how helpful they are.  They brought us a microwave and refrigerator today from another room.  They would have brought it yesterday except that it came from a room that was occupied.

They are short of things this week since there are a lot of construction workers staying here and they are here for 3 months.  The people are just very friendly and we feel real at home here.

This morning we went to our favorite place OPH, Original Pancake House.  More "Swedes" for me.  The Swedish pancakes there are delicious.

We then went for a ride down to the Falls Park and took some video I am sending along tonight.  It's a pretty town here, lots of history.

http://vimeo.com/6787419


Not a lot to say for the next few days and this brings you up to date.  We will be here until Friday then we are considering going southeast to something we saw on tv last night.  It's the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Really sounds great.

We have lots of time to make that decision.....

More later
Love to All
Wayne and Colleen

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

http://vimeo.com/6772829


Well folks, we have arrived in our home for a week now, Sioux Falls South Dakota.  As most of you know the situation here, we are hoping against hope to get to see Nicole.  We don't know until we go out to Achieve on Monday if we will be able to see her.

I found a video uploading service called Vimeo and I'm experimenting with getting a video clip here on the blog.  If it works, I will post a few more each day.

The first one I'm putting on here is from a few days ago at Yellowstone.  I hope it works!

We went to Lake City Minnesota after leaving Minneapolis.  Lake City is where Pat Riskas used to live.  For those of you that don't know, Pat is my sister in law Gail's mom.  That would also make her Wayne's brother Jim's mother-in-law.  See how that works?

Our trip to Lake City was in the first rain we've had yet on our trip.  Other than a couple real cloudbursts, it really wasn't that bad.  It stayed warm and muggy all day.

Lake City is a pretty little town along the Mississippi River.  Lots of nice things to see and pretty landscape both before and after Lake City.

This was on Friday, yesterday, and we just decided to come on into Sioux Falls  since it was only 4 hours away.  Yes, we are here early but Wayne feels much better about being here early.

We went to our favorite place in Sioux Falls to eat today.  It's The Original Pancake House.  They have a real variety of special pancakes and crepes.  My personal favorite is the Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberry.  MMMMMM!

We did some laundry last night for the first time since we left home.  Our hotel, the Fairfield does not yet have their laundry room in so we had to go across the parking lot to the Marriott Residence Inn where we were able to use their laundry room.  They have a very nice section of their lobby that is like a living room with a nice couch and some  chairs along with a very large screen Hi-Def TV.

Tomorrow I am going to re-organize all of our things.  We are going to be here for a while so we can unpack a bit.   We have been buying lots of souvenirs and I want to go through everything and consolidate them a bit.  Somewhere in there are a few things we bought for Nicole!

I know you are probably getting tired of hearing this, but this road trip is just amazing.  Wayne and I love being together and seeing all these beautiful things we have seen.  We love meeting all the new people and seeing the new places.

It is a very strong feeling in my heart of gratefulness to God for making this trip possible for us.  I am happy to be as healthy as I am and although I have gained so very much weight, I am still here.  I am still here and enjoying life more everyday.

Wayne and I are blessed for sure.  This is the trip of a lifetime and we are happy to share it all with you.

Love to everyone
Wayne and Colleen

MOA - Mall of America

What an experience we had today.   No, it didn't involve police officers!


We went over to the MOA which is across the street sort of from our hotel.  This place is a nightmare!  First of all you have to decide which entrance you want, North, South, East or West.  Then you have to find a parking place (good luck) or go into the appropriate parking garage.  


When you finally get inside, you have to decide which level you want to shop, there are 4 levels.  With over 400 businesses, it's an incredible place.  We got something to eat first and then located a couple shoe stores and I actually bought two pair of shoes.


We were really afraid if we ventured very deeply into the labyrinth of the place we may never see our car again and God forbid maybe even each other!!!


We took the shoes and headed for where we thought we left the car.  Yep, it was there!  


We drove back over to the hotel and was happy to get here!


Have I mentioned how much I love this  bed!  It is amazingly comfortable.


Last night we did a horribly decadent thing and ordered room service.  Terrific food but terribly expensive!  Then after our experience at the mall, we came back here and ordered panini and ordered a movie, Angels and Demons with Tom  Hanks. 


So here we  are, stretched out on this wonderful bed, eating lunch off of fine china and watching a current movie on TV.  Does it get any better?


Tomorrow we start out again, having enjoyed a good rest and wonderful time in this great room.  The folks at the Marriott are very attentive and very nice.  They make you feel really at home.


Tomorrow's Dilemma...... which new pair of shoes do I wear?


More later......
love to all
W & C

The Biggest Shopping Center in the World

Hi everyone.  Tonight we are in Minneapolis, actually Bloomington, Minnesota.  And all you girls know what is in Bloomington.  The Mall of America is here.

We got here about 4:00 this afternoon, found the Marriott and stopped in the parking lot.  Our GPS lady gave us not only the directions to the Marriott but also the address and phone number.  So I called to see if they had any rooms available under the Friends and Family rate that Richard was so kind to give us certificates for before we left home.

Yes, they have a room so I reserved the room for two nights from the parking lot !!!
We  pulled up front, a very nice man all dressed in red came out to unload our car. We went inside and registered and to the top floor we came.

Now this is the nicest hotel we have stayed at yet, I love Marriott.  And the biggest reason that I like Marriott is that it has THE bed!!  The bed is the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in in my entire life.  It's wonderful!

We are almost across the street from the MOA (Mall of America) and plan to go there tomorrow and check it out.  I have been wanting a new pair of shoes so I think that will be on the agenda tomorrow.

Looking at the website tonight, I find the MOA has over 400 stores employing over 12,000 people.  Amazing.  It's on 4 levels and has movie theatres and lots of other entertainment venues.

Note to Pat:  We think we will be going through Lake City on Friday when we leave here.  We will stay somewhere between here and Sioux Falls Friday night and then be in Sioux Falls on Saturday.

Note To Lil:  Thanks so much sweetie for your comments and compliments.  We really appreciate your following us.

Note to Todd:  No more dummy moves today!  Have been very thoughtful about the use of my Flip!

Today when we drove around Fargo a bit before leaving town, we encountered a peaceful protest in front of a Women's Clinic in old town Fargo.  There was a shoulder to shoulder line of approximately 12-14 young people holding signs that said "Pray for the End of Abortion"........The clinic was in the middle of the block and on each corner were 2-3 young people wearing vests that said "Clinic Escorts".  They were there to escort patients past the protesters.

After thinking about it, I asked Wayne to drive back around so I could video the protest.  He drove up to the clinic, stopped, and stared at the protesters.  I held my breath thinking for sure that they would say something and he would  respond, we would BOTH respond and then one or all of the cops who were stationed a safe distance away would be all over us.  I could see them pounding on our car with their signs and everything.  Well, actually we just had a staring contest, no one spoke, and off we drove.

Todd, I almost needed you again!!!  But once again, we got through it without the feel of the cold steel handcuffs on our wrists!

Note to Mom:  Really good to hear your good news today.  Glad your shoulder is healed and all is good.  You needed some good news!

Again today we had a great ride and some beautiful green landscape.  Really great farms, little settlements, and green green hills.  The weather was clear as a bell and nice and warm today.

Note to Todd:  Added to previous comment, today we came upon a traffic stop on the freeway just before getting into Minneapolis.  As we approached, we noticed there were no markings on his car at all.  It was a dark  colored four door sedan looking as normal as any other car on the road.  There were no visible lights or any other marking or object that would make him look like a police car.  However, there were lights coming from several places, still not sure how though.  He was dressed all in brown with those silly looking round brimmed hats.  I grabbed the Flip and tried to get as much as I could as Wayne gasped  "I wish you wouldn't do that"  !   So, contrary to what I said earlier, maybe this was a dummy move on my part!

Bye for now .....I promise I will try to stay out of trouble now!!!

Love to all
Wayne and Colleen