travel

Large, wonderous and impressive Pileated Woodpeckers

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Here are a couple of videos we took and some facts about these eye catching forest  birds. Pileated Woodpeckers are crow-sized birds (16 – 19 inches long) with a flame-red crest on top of their head. Their wingspan can be up to 30 inches.

The Pileated Woodpecker’s primary food is carpenter ants, along with other ants, woodboring beetle larvae, termites, and other insects such as flies, spruce budworm, caterpillars, cockroaches, and grasshoppers.

Pileated Woodpeckers stay with the same mate for life. Pairs claim forest territories up to 150 acres or larger. They loudly drum on trees with their beaks all year long to announce the boundaries of their territories.

 

Another Bison-tennial bison spotted in Freetown, Indiana

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We were enjoying a day trip to southern Indiana on a very warm May day. We’d been to a covered bridge, done some shopping, bird watching and just taking in the sights. The next sight we observed was another one of those Bison-tennial statues from Indiana’s 2016 celebration. celebration.

Freetown’s bison statue

One of the panels on bison’s flank

Another panel showing history of Freetown

 

 

 

 

 

We did find ourselves on a detour of our main route and noted the sign announcing that we had arrived in the unincorporated  community of Freetown in Jackson County Indiana. We have seen several of these statues as we have traveled all over the state. Each one is different, due to the paint and design of same.

Indianapolis Southwestway Park offers mountain bike and horse trails

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Southwestway Park is a 587-acre park in the southwest part of Indy, outside the I-465 loop on Mann Road.  There is a long trail system that includes hiking, mountain biking, running and horseback riding. There are baseball diamonds, soccer fields and other recreational sports available here, along with the Winding River Golf Course.

Yes, horses allowed

Beautiful trails

Trail Head information board with trail maps

Discover White River Rewards Pass is a delightful program that allows you to explore 37 different parks along White River in central Indiana. Southwestway Park is one of 37 Indy parks belonging to the Rewards Pass. The Discover White River Pass offers exclusive real-world rewards like stickers, shirts, and on-water experiences by visiting dozens of parks and attractions.

Public art displayed between two museums in Indianapolis

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Downtown Indianapolis is home to several attractions, including the Eiteljorg Museum of Native American and Western Art and the Indiana State Museum featuring natural and civilization history.  On display between the two is a striking piece by a native Hoosier artist.

“Rhino Arch” by Jerald Jacquard


This area is part of the White River State Park, named for the large river flowing through the city heading south. Indy has successfully planned and finished trails, parks and other examples of public art throughout the metropolitan area.

Columbus Indiana historic Crump Theater

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The Crump Theater began its long history in 1871 as a two story building named Keith’s Arcade. The Crump name came into the scene when John S. Crump purchased the building in 1889 and turned it into a large modern theater.

Crump marquee

Ticket booth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next big event took place in 1920 after a massive remodeling job that basically gutted the building and started from scratch. This work started at the stage and went to the 3rd Street sidewalk. The next work was another massive remodel in 1941 that resulted in the art deco exterior and interior styles you see today.

Crump History

Fund raising event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After several years of disuse, the Crump is currently in the midst of an active “Save The Crump” campaign including fund raising and live concerts on stage. This fine old facility is hopefully back on tract for a resurgence of activity.

Front entrance, ticket booth

As a footnote, it should be noted that stories of ghosts and other “paranormal” activities have been part of the Crump story for decades. Several investigations have taken place in the Crump. One ghost, known as “The Lady In Black”, is reported to make regular appearances on the same stairway.

Trails closed by flood waters on central Indiana’s White River

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Discover White River Rewards Pass is a delightful  program that allows you to explore 37 different parks along White River in central Indiana. We went to 3 of the parks yesterday, following the directions on the sie.

Closed to hikers

Two of the parks were suffering from the current flood stage waters. Town Run Park on 96h Street had open gates to the parking, shelter and trail heads. However, all of trail head gates were closed off to hikers.

Unique playground

Shelter, river in background

Walkway is a bit damp for use

River Heritage Park on the edge of Carmel’s White River is a wonderful park complete with all the latest playground equipment. Several of the concrete walkways were under water due to the flooding of White River.

White River flooding

Similar to the Indy Craft Pass for local breweries, distilleries and wineries, the Discover White River Pass offers exclusive real-world rewards like stickers, shirts, and on-water experiences by visiting dozens of parks and attractions.

 

 

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WWII P-47 Thunderbolt pilots remembered at Air Force Memorial Park

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The Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio has a beautiful Memorial Park filled with scores of monuments honoring different units of US Army Air Corp Units from WWII through current.  One of these remembers the pilots and support personnel for the famed Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter that saw service in all theaters of the war.

 

Approach to the monument

Remembering heroes

Information plaque

Bronze P-47 tops the monument

Republic P-47N Thunderbolt in flight

 

 

 

 

 

The P-47 was used and praised for its performance in hundreds of combat missions across all theaters of the war. The P-47 was of course used for aerial combat and also for ground attacks, bombing and strafing enemy supply trains and convoys.

El Asadero Bar and Mexican Grill Reynoldsburg Ohio

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We love a good Mexican restaurant. While visiting family in Reynoldsburg, Ohio we went to a very good and, in this case, very exciting Bar and Mexican Grill named El Asadero. From the moment you walk in you know that this place is going to be interesting.

Back drop in the bar

The full bar

Exotic drink with color changing light

A wildly colorful decor and Latin music is seen and heard throughout the restaurant. We were seated quickly, even thou the place was packed. We were served the usual chips and dip, ordered and received drinks. Fancy, delicious and even lighted drinks added to the festive atmosphere of our table of nine.

Veg. Enchilada dinner

Street tacos and fixin’s

Pick three combo, 2 burros, 1 soft taco, beans & rice

The menu is quite extensive, and as expected, there is something for everyone, including kids. While we were eating the lights went out,  came back on, and very loud music started. We frankly wondered what was going on. We had already heard one of those “Happy Birthday” deals where the staff takes a cake to the B’day person. But then a new commotion broke out and we saw Dancing Robot. What a treat!

El Asadero Bar and Mexican Grill is a vibrant, fun and sometimes loud restaurant. the food is wonderful, atmosphere is exciting, and the staff and service is exceptional.