Hoosier Daddy

A Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe -- On Sugar Creek

I'm BACK . . .    .  I took a hiatus from blogging -- mostly from simply not having time.  This has been a VERY busy summer.  But I'm back now, and hope to be posting regularly.

This past weekend was our annual canoe trip down Sugar Creek in Parke County -- you know, the county with all the covered bridges.  We went with friends and a gaggle of teenagers. We laughed, and relaxed, ate lunch on a sand bar, played in the water, and dumped a couple of canoes (sometimes on purpose).

For those who have not ventured down Sugar Creek in Parke County, it is one of those things you really should do.  It gets you back in touch with simple joys. 

Sugar Creek is not a white water canyon thrill ride.  It's a gently flowing creek that flows through between the cliffs in Turkey Run State Park, under three covered bridges and through some beautiful rural countryside.  There are a couple of more thrilling places where the water speeds around a fallen tree or large rock.  But mostly its just paddling along at your own pace, stopping where you please.

The leaves will soon be changing, and the cool water will turn colder.  But there is still plenty of time to set aside a day for relaxing along the rippling currents of Sugar Creek.

A.J., Parnelli and Me -- New Castle MotorSports Park Provides Fun, Competition and Excitement

Ever want to feel like A.J., or Parnelli, or maybe Danica?  Former 500 and IRL driver and winner of the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona Mark Dismore has developed New Castle Motorsports Park, which is the perfect place to feed your racing desires.

So it was this weekend when I traveled to the go-cart track with my 16-year-old son, my 14-year-old daughter -- and our church pastor, who claims that if he moves, he'll race it. 

The Motorsports Park provides rental go-carts that are available for individual rental when not being used for corporate outings.  These aren't your little amusement park carts.  They hit a top speed of about 50 miles per hour,  purportedly the fastest rental carts in the United States.  Unlike indoor carting, you race on a 1-mile asphalt road coarse that feels like real racing.

And as all of us discovered, if you make the wrong move through a turn, you can find your self spinning through the grass.  Just so there is no dispute about who is fastest, the carts have an electronic scoring system that displays your lap times in the center of the steering wheel.

Also, when the track is open, you're likely to find yourself running with real racing carts hitting speeds of 75 mph.  So it was when we were there Saturday.  With a go-cart event set for Sunday, many of the competitors were getting in practice.  For my 14-year-old, who had never driven a go cart, it was quite an experience.  But by our second 10-minute stint, she was following the groove, drifting wide down the straight, then swinging low to the apex of the turn, then drifting back wide on the exit.

The New Castle MotorSports Park is located just 30 miles east of Indianapolis at the 123 Exit on I-70.  It's $18 for the first 10 minutes, but only $1 a minute after that.  Give it a try!

By the way, I had the best time from out group.  Let me know if you beat my best lap:  1:23.99

Don't Miss Norman Rockwell Exhibit at Children's Museum

Don't miss a rare opportunity to see the work of America's best known and best loved illustrator -- Norman Rockwell.

The Indianapolis Children's Museum is currently hosting  Celebrating America: The Art of Norman Rockwell.  The exhibit includes interactive exhibits, a recreation of Rockwell's studio, information on the "common folk" who became his models, reflections on the times and events depicted by Rockwell (including his famous "Four Freedoms" paintings done during WW II), and 10 original Rockwell paintings.  There's even an opportunity for kids to dress up as characters from Rockwell paintings.

Known for his Saturday Evening Post covers, Rockwell captured a spirit and image of America that has become part of our national self-image.  His great drawings of common people in common and extraordinary settings is part of Americana.

The Exhibit runs from now until January 16.  You don't have to be a kid to go. Check it out!

Glory Days of Movie-Going Lives Again at Franklin's Artcraft Theater

If you yearn for nostalgia, if you enjoy classic movies, or you just want to do something different, check out the offerings at the restored Artcraft Theater in Franklin.

  Restored to its 1950s glory, the Aircraft Theater presents classic movies twice monthly on Thursday and Friday evenings.  Coming attractions include American Graffiti (May 26 & 27),  It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (June  23-24) and Jaws (July 28-29).  For the full schedule for 2005, CLICK HERE.

Located just 30 minutes south of  Indianapolis in the downtown Franklin, the Artcraft was restored by Heritage Franklin, Inc., a non-profit corporation and an affiliate of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana .

Spring Afternoon at Oliver Winery

There is nothing more enjoyable than a glorious Spring afternoon spent with friends at Oliver Winery. 

This past weekend was spectacular.  Spent the afternoon sharing a bottle of wine and some wonderful conversation with friends at Oliver Winery. 

Located just north of Bloomington on State Road 37, Professor Oliver's hobby has come a long way from its humble beginnings.  Even for the non-wine drinker, it's a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.  Surrounded by limestone artwork and beautiful gardens, the modern winery building houses a tasting room and small shop with cheeses, breads, soft drinks, in addition to wine.  Everything you need for an impromptu picnic.

You can sit on the ourdoor patio, grab a picnic table around the lake, or just spread out a blanket on the hillside.  There is no better place to enjoy a Spring day.