Carmel Indiana

Craft beers at Sun King Brewery in Carmel Indiana

/ Roadtirementvintage / 7 Comments

It was a foggy evening in Carmel, Indiana, an upscale city north of Indianapolis. Finishing our day out, we went to Sun King Brewery in the center of Carmel. They are part of the Indy Craft Pass, a group of over 50 breweries and wineries that offer a listing and directions. You check in and get points for visiting member establishments.

Outside seating, upper level balcony

Main entrance, love that face!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sher and I and our son got to Sun King about 6 o’clock, checked in on the Craft Pass app, and were seated by Chase, our server. I told Chase that when choosing a beer, I prefer one with a lower number IBU (bitterness rating). Chase checked with the bartender who recommended the Keller Haze IPA. Sher ordered a margarita.

The bar

We thoroughly enjoyed just sitting, enjoying our drinks and the company. While were were here the place began to fill up with couples and groups of folks, who like us, enjoyed the ambience of the place. Food was available from walk up windows, and what we saw looked very good, worthy of a return visit to eat sometime. We did buy a growler of Maj’s IPA to take home.

Maj’s IPA and Sher’s Margarita

Chase filling our growler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This facility is set up for both inside and outside seating. Of course the rain and fog prevented using the outside seating but the huge outdoor TV was on! There is a second level, a trivia game was underway when we were there.

“Back of house” equipment

We had a wonderful time at the Carmel version of Sun King Brewery.  (There are seven locations, including one in Sarasota Florida) We would recommend without hesitation a visit to this fine establishment. A marvelous number of beers and other drinks await you. Hats off to Chase, who took care of us while we were there. He was a part of our good time. Here is the link to Sun King Brewery.

Public art is everywhere in Carmel Indiana

/ Roadtirementvintage / 21 Comments

Carmel, Indiana is a suburban city immediately north of Indianapolis. Known as the roundabout capital of the U.S. with 140 of those wild traffic routes, the city is also known for its many pieces of public art.  Fifteen of these works of art are by Seward Johnson,  an American artist known for trompe-l’œil painted bronze statues. Other artists also have public art displayed.

“Ambassador of the Street” by Seward Johnson, placed 2012, cost $78,000

“Spring Eternal” by Jerry Joslin, placed 2010, cost $49,975

“Things To Do” by Seward Johnson, placed 2008, cost $80,000

“Who’s In Charge” by Seward Johnson, placed 2008, cost $88,000

Even bike racks have become “art” in Carmel

The day we were in Carmel the weather was not conducive to enjoying street art. We’ll return on a day without cold rain and see more of the many other public art displays. There is some controversy about the people street statues, as not all taxpayers feel that they are worth the price.

A candle making experience

/ Roadtirementvintage / 21 Comments

It is always fun to try a new experience. We had never been to a DIY candle store. This candle making sounded like a good thing.

The Penn & Beech Candle Company in Carmel, Indiana has a lovely store with everything you need to make your own custom scented candle. When you first walk in you are greeted with a marvelously clean scent in the air. Once you register your first task is to figure out what fragrances you want your candle to have. There are shelves of candles with single scents for you to unscrew the lid and take a whiff.

The staff recommends that you pick four scents that you want to start experimenting with. Once you have that, four squeeze bottles are brought to your workspace. Holding the bottles under your chin, squeeeeeze and smell. Two at a time will give you the future candle fragrance. Mix and match, determine of the scents which may require more than another. You are guided through the process.

 

Once your fragrance choices are made, the fun really begins! You have already decided which glass you will make your candle in. There are shot jiggers on a tray and a stirring spoon. In my case, I had decided on a ratio of 2 parts Hops scent and 1 part Earth scent. You fill the jigger up with that ratio, and fill it to overflowing. No worry, you’ll dump the overflow from the tray to candle wax.

Next step, a pouring cup of hot molten soy wax is brought to your table. This is where you pour in the fragrance oils you have measured out then stir the wax and fragrances together.   This is then poured into the candle glass the you have picked out.  It takes two hours for the candle to set up, so we went for brunch and then returned to pick up our creations.

Fruits of our labors

Our entire party truly enjoyed this fun experience. Every aspect of the candle making process was an adventure. So many fragrances to try, lots of different candle glasses and containers to pick from, and most of all a wonderful experience we could enjoy with family.

 

2-22-2022 was a busy busy day

/ Roadtirementvintage / 23 Comments

Tuesday 2-22-2022 was quite the day. It was my first full day as a 71 year old Baby Boomer. Not sure how I feel about passing the seventy milestone. With other family gathered together we had a full day of activities  planned.

Sher picked her oils

I liked these two scents

We started off by going to the “make your own” Penn and Beech Candle Company in Carmel, Indiana. They had hundreds of scents to use in the candle of your choice. We had a ball sampling scents, narrowing down to the perfect blend. The scent liquids were then mixed in the hot wax, and left to cool for a couple of hours.

Too good for words

Generous portions

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then went to one of our favorite places for brunch: RIZE. The Carmel location was just minutes from the Candle Company, and of course you have to start with their decadent cinnamon rolls smothered in icing. I got brave and ordered a first time for me duck egg on my biscuits and gravy. Delicious. We then picked up our candles.

Dollar Tuesday Tacos

National Margarita Day

Tuesday the 22nd was notable for several reasons. In the background the Ukraine v Russia crisis loomed. However, in the interest of celebration, we had our dinner at the Cholula Mexican Restaurant and recognized National Margarita Day with some frozen strawberry margaritas. Taco Tuesday, well of course! Cholula’s had tacos for $1 each.

Here are some of the candles we created

What a fun day! Making candles  was quite the experience. Sher and I decided that this was a very enjoyable activity that we have done together. Of course it was most special having our daughter and grandson and our youngest son with us.  I guess being 71 years old is not that bad after all.