Indianapolis, Crossroads of America

Going to Indianapolis was very personal for me (Jen). I grew up visiting there every other summer. My granddad lived there, just a few blocks from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500! It was such a blessing for me to be able to take my family to the house where I visited so many times growing up. I was able to visit the graves of my grandparents as well. Bittersweet memories for sure.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, IN (a suburb inside the city limits of Indianapolis) was built in 1909. It was originally built for testing because Indiana was booming in the automotive industry. By 1911, the main focus of the track was racing with the first ever Indianapolis 500! Today the track carries the nick name "the Brickyard". The original racing surface of the track simply didn't work so it was replaced with 3.2 million, yes million, paving bricks! That's a whole bunch of bricks! Today some of the original bricks are still in place!

Downtown Indianapolis was full of history! I took so many pictures but only highlighting a few here. Indianapolis is also called "the Circle City". It gets this name because major streets cross at the circle where there is a monument honoring servicemen from the War of 1812 through the Spanish-American War. We were able to go inside the monument where there were many artifacts and a gift shop.

Now, other than visiting my grandparents home, my favorite part of being in Indiana was Cataract Falls. I absolutely LOVE waterfalls. We try to take Suki any time we can to let her play in the water as well.

According to history, the first settler in that area was a man named Isaac Teal. He lived near the lower falls and had built a mill there around 1820. In the 1840's the land was purchased by a man named Theodore Jennings. He and his family lived in their covered wagons until their homes could be built. He also built a saw mill and general store. The land and surrounding areas has been bought and sold many times over the years as growth in the area was came about. In later years (1950's) the government had bought many acres surrounding the falls and thankfully it was decided that Cataract Falls, as well as the Covered Bridge would be protected and used for public enjoyment. It is a beautiful place!

Kids today just don't know how good they have it! We were able to visit a one room school near Cataract Falls. It dates back to the 1800's. Some of the desks in the pictures are the original desks used by the students then. The heater in the middle of the room is the original wood furnace used to heat the building for the students and the teacher's desk is the original one. Also, there is a picture of spelling words. Those words are on an 8th grade reading level! These are words that 1st graders are reading today!!

Another neat place we were able to visit was Turkey Run State Park. We took Suki for a hike, let her chase some squirrels and birds and just get out and enjoy the fresh air, play in the water and get some exercise.

Suki was able to go on a day trip with us to Brazil! Brazil, Indiana that is! We went to a car show and street festival. There were a lot of vendors and things to see and do. Of course, she had to find kids to play with! I took a few pictures around town as well.

Oh and we can't forget, one of the worst things about being in Indiana, IT WAS COLD! We are from Alabama so we don't do well with cold! Suki, however, loved playing in the snow!

We really hope you enjoyed our little tour of Indianapolis and the surrounding areas! It was such a good time there and maybe we will venture back there again! Until next time, hugz and slobbery smooches!!!!

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www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com

www.onsitear.com/cataractfalls

mentalfloss.com/aticle/18703/7-things-you-should-know-about-indy-500

all pictures property of Jennifer George