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A lot of stuff
Indiana Audubon Society’s Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary
We had been out picking up some items we had bought at an online auction last Saturday. Sher had already checked for “Things to do in Connersville” and an interesting bird watching place popped up. So after we picked up the items from the auction we had a 25 minute drive through farmland. The auction was north of town, and the birding place was south. It seemed like our destination was truly out in the middle of nowhere.
Easy to spot entrance
The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is located south of Connersville in Fayette County, Indiana. Alice Green Gray gave the initial 264 acre property to the Indiana Audubon Society in 1943 as a living memorial to her daughter Mary, who preceded her in death. Another Gray relative and Society members have made possible the acquisition of more property so that the Sanctuary now has 723 acres.
The road into the sanctuary grounds is a fairly long drive which immediately puts you in the middle of a semi dense woods. It truly allows you to prepare for atonement with Nature.
It was extremely hot that day. In fact an official weather service Heat Advisory was in effect. It became apparent as soon as we got out of the car that it was going to be a very unpleasant day to successfully do any birdwatching. In addition to the heat, a plethora of insects was present and quite annoying buzzing around.
Bench seating at the amphitheater
We will definitely return when the conditions are much more conducive to for a comfortable and safe bird watching adventure. There are many features within this sanctuary. There is a bird watching blind where you can observe the many stocked feeders and not be seen. Ponds and native trees provide a perfect chance to immerse yourself in communing with Earth. Click here for the MGBS website.
The Pyramids, an Indianapolis landmark since 1972
Construction began in 1967 on the first of three unique 11 story buildings for the College Life Insurance Company. The architectural firm of Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates was hired to design the Insurance company’s expected need for a headquarters complex. This style of design is often called Brutalist architecture.
Signage plus Landscaping
Facing South
Facing North
Each Pyramid is eleven stories, each with an L-shaped concrete core facing the north and west. The concrete supports each floor. The south and east facing exteriors are covered in reflective glass. The concrete sections contain restrooms and elevators. The floors themselves are airy, well lit via the two wide walls of windows in each structure. Ownership has changed hands several times, and as of this writing there is “For Lease” signage displayed.
Sixty foot tall mural of Pacers Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller played college ball at UCLA and was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1987 in the 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall). Miller only played for the Pacers until he retired in 2005.
Standing at 60-ft tall, this is the tallest of the murals in downtown Indianapolis. Portraying Reggie Miller, one of the Pacers’ most renowned players. This creation by mural artist Pamela Bliss was completed in 2018. Bliss has created several striking murals in Indianapolis.
Reggie is taking one of his favorite shots on the Northeast corner of “The Mich” building address 127 E. Michigan St. The mural faces North Delaware Street. Boom Baby!
An often overlooked monument to Indiana history
One very busy intersection in Indianapolis is where Southeastern Avenue angles into East Washington Street just east of the I-70 overpass. Chances are good that you’ve never noticed the tall limestone obelisk on a concrete deck next to the sidewalk.
The obelisk was installed in 1916 to recognize the 100 year anniversary of the State of Indiana’s admission into the Union. This project was taken on and executed by the Cornelius Cole Fairbanks Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. This Chapter organized in 1907, and remains active today. This is the Chapter’s website.
The Garage, Indy’s unique Food Hall
The Bottleworks District of Indianapolis is a vibrant area in close proximity to the intersection of I-70 and I-65, once known as the “spaghetti bowl”. Bounded by N. College Ave, 10th Street, Bellefontaine St, and Massachusetts Avenue, this is the home of The Garage Food Hall.
Comfy patio, great for socializing
Beautiful 30’s era architecture
Intimate outside seating
The Garage Food Hall is a 30,000 square foot food and market hall that occupies two of the historic Coca-Cola bottling plant’s original garage buildings. The Art Deco terracotta facades faithfully protect the 1930s industrial architecture facades. Large roll-up doors allow for a seamless indoor and outdoor experience.
Authentic “British” Fish & Chips
Hard Truth Distillery
Mouth watering Asian Hibachi Grilled
The Garage hosts a variety of food and beverage vendors each bringing top culinary creative chefs and drink creators together in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Distilleries, breweries and wineries are represented. Menus from around the world also serve hungry visitors with about any type of cuisine you can think of.
Traditional Mexican cuisine with Asian-fusion taqueria
Gaucho’s Fire: The best of Brazil’s street food
Per visitindy.com: “Axle’s is the spot for a cold one after work”
In addition to the many food and drink vendors at this unique and historic facility, there are retail and service businesses included in the roster of establishments. Specialty gifts, clothing, spa services and a full service barber and beauty shop are among the non food vendor offerings.
Fun picture at the electric bicycle shop
Parking is absolutely hassle free at The Garage. Lot 4, adjacent to the building. Open Monday – Friday from 9AM -5 PM parking is only $2.00. Weekdays 11 AM – 3 PM First hour is Free. More details at The Garage website here.
The AMP is in the old Indy Water Company service bay, now part of 16 TECH
“The AMP is focused on uplifting everyone in the Indianapolis culinary/retail community by featuring a diverse array of concepts from emerging businesses to established concepts and an approachable leasing structure designed to allow entrepreneurs a place to start out and scale up.” Quoted from The AMP website
Food service in a shipping container
The Black Orchid Barbers
The AMP is located in the HQO center of the 16 TECH on Indiana Avenue on the near west side. Offering a very wide variety of food establishments, you’ll find just about any type of eats and drinks there. Each eatery or retail establishment is housed in its own colorful customized shipping container.
Multiple eateries
Ice Cream Nachos w/ waffle cone chips
A most exotic offering: Irish Sea Moss from Jamaica showcases diversity.
Even though it is located within the 16 TECH complex, AMP stands on its own as a local hotspot for diversity, events and culture in Indianapolis. Featuring food stalls, an open-air bar, communal seating and ample community gathering and event space, it can host events with up to 1100 persons.
This man loves his work
Fabulously delicious hand made treats
Deli goods galore, note shipping container
There are 20+ vendors scattered around the food service shipping containers. There is also varied seating, including outdoor seating area, and the inside open seating wine bar. Food types cover a wide range of offerings, including some exotic items. We had eaten before we went, but plan to return sometime for a full meal. The comfortable seating includes tables large enough to hold your meal and your laptop. Our son commented that the overall ambiance reminded him of a university environment.
Mt. Rainier, a defining symbol of the Pacific Northwest
It is sixty miles from Seattle, closer yet to Tacoma and is the prominent feature on the horizon of this part of the State of Washington. Mount Rainier, also known as Tahoma, is an active volcano in the Cascade Range.
I took this pic from the highway near SeaTac Airport
Mt. Rainier is believed to have had some minor eruptions between 1820 and 1854, but these might have been merely rockslides or ash and pumice falls. Geologists think the most recent major eruption was in 1450 AD/CE.
Another view of Mt. Rainer (courtesy Alaska Airlines)
Mt. Rainier is 14,400 feet high and is is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous lower 48. The threat of eruptions is real, and evacuation drills are in place for the immediate vicinity. The biggest threat is from lahars, volcanic mudflows that form when the glaciers melt. These volcano spawned mud slides destroy anything in their path.
Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July
Remember the Reason for the Celebration
Make it a safe and happy day however you enjoy the 4th.
A portion of the Quinault National Recreation Trail System
Part of the Olympic National Forest includes some interesting hiking trails designated the Quinault National Recreation Trail System. We turned off of Highway 101 and hit the South Shore Drive near Lake Quinault. We came across this information sign and decided to stop.
Easy walking on the gravel trail
The look of a Pacific Northwest rain forest
New growth on top of a very old stump
Ferns and other ground cover
Delicately curled fern leaves
The forest on the portion of the trail we walked was tagged a rain forest and had some amazing vegetation. The trail itself was an easy to traverse with a firm gravel base. We spent a good hour on this section of the trail appreciating the thick dense foliage including massive trees and delicate leaves. “Nature at its awesome best” is a perfect description of this Forest.
Roadtirement 