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Well, I never thought I'd have the opportunity to go to Indiana by myself, after moving Kelly and Art there about 7+ years ago.... but I did! I was gone for 6 days and 5 nights... Kent was in charge for 6 days and 5 nights (thankfully both kids had some school, but he had the responsibilities). I had pretty non-eventful flights and travel- took the Link (super easy and cheap way to go to the airport), only a few slight time delays (but no kiddos to keep busy, no crying babies, no one else but me and my book), and then I arrived in Indiana to visit my buddy Kelly! We ate at all sorts of great places (and Lord knows that 2 girls that went to culinary school together love to eat and drink together). We ate at Taste (and had yummy veggie sandwiches with sinful basil mayo with giant lattes).... Brugge (where we had the world's best french fries, had some good dark beer, and spicy mussels that we couldn't finish)... Oakleys (to the FREE, yes FREE wine tasting before dinner.... and then shared some shrimp corn dogs. I'll never eat another regular corn dog again- this were so yummy. I had some lovely local duck, Kelly had the beef.... but they were all some fabulously creative dishes, not just in the presentation but in the combinations too- this was bliss- this was magic- this was amazing food.).... Petite Chou (for lunch with true French bistro food... and the environment and decor was so awesome- great colors).
We checked out some great places too....Mass Ave Wine and next door was Best Chocolates where we bought some creative chocolates and savored them after dinner later that night (cinnamon, Gorgonzola, chili, rosemary, a super dark chocolate one.... and well I can't remember, they were all good!). We shopped at all the Mass Avenue shops, the Broad Ripple shops and boutiques, the Fountains....
We went to the 2010 Wine Fair in southern Indiana.... yep, Southern Indiana was a cultural experience. There was a definite change in the scenery- it was rolling hills, had wild dogwood trees in the woods... it was truly pretty. However, with every "back country",comes the folks and it was a hilarious combination of wine, country folk, city folk, young, old, and a lot of syrupy wine. We had a good time, just people watching and trying to wade our way to finding some good, dry, red wines. We tried.... but I think I'll stick to OR, WA, and CA reds! Although, overall the dry reds from Carousel Winery weren't too shabby. Oh, and did I forget to mention that when we arrived the looming black clouds were hanging around and we ended up tasting during a thundery shower.
We went on a run, I borrowed her running buddy's great road bike... I went on some long rides on the monon trail (which you can catch just 3 blocks from their adorable house in Broad Ripple) from her place through Broad Ripple and just about to Carmel. The weather was up, it was down, it was cold, it was hot, it was muggy, it was pleasant... it was Spring in Indy! But we made the best of it for sure.
We drank wine... we drank some more wine.... (we even popped open a bottle she had as a wedding gift from some family friends- French wine - yum!)we drank coffee, and more coffee, and more coffee... we stayed up late talking, we stayed up later talking, and we just enjoyed our time. Thanks Kelly!!! Love you and miss your company already. Thanks Art for sharing your wife and Kent for taking the helm at home- I couldn't have done it without your blessing or your efforts!
