The Sheriff - Indianapolis

 Remember that post where I was flying by myself for the first time? Well, that trip was to Indianapolis, a place I had never been before. It turned out to be a great trip and I loved all of the people I met while I was there.

Manning 18 - First retired jersey number in Indianapolis Colts history. NFL all-time record holder upon retirement: Five-time NFL MVP, passing touchdowns (539), passing yards (71,940), game-winning drives (54), comeback victories (45), total offense. Dedicated October 7, 2017 "The Sheriff" Sculptor: Ryan Feeney, Indianapolis, Indiana

As a Denver-ite and American football fan, you know that I had to look up some information about Peyton Manning. He played for the Colts from 1998-2011 before being picked up by the Denver Broncos from 2012-2015, managing to earn his teams 1 Super Bowl championship each.

Lucas Oil Stadium is located in the heart of the city allowing me easy access and I couldn't stop looking at this very cool homage to The Sheriff himself:

If you are an American football fan, this is a must-see on a trip through Indianapolis. I was there for about 29 hours and managed to squeeze it in just after my plane landed.

"The Sheriff" Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts Quarterback 1998-2011, The number one pick in the 1998 NFL draft, Peyton Manning went on to become one of the game's all-time greatest players, starting every game in his first 13 seasons and providing Colts fans with some of the most prolific moments in sports history. He was also one of the game's most popular players and personalities, re-nowned for his dramatic play-calling, colorful audibles, and heart-pounding comeback victories. Manning led a Colts team that set an NFL record for most victories in a decade, and he held seven NFL all-time passing records upon his retirement. He played in 14 Pro-Bowls, was named First Team All-Pro seven times, and was the MVP of the Colts Super Bowl XLI victory. He was also named the NFL MVP an unprecedented five times, and was the 2005 NFL Man of the Year. The people in our community will forever be grateful for Peyton's contributions, and for his role in bringing Indianapolis and Indiana their first major World Championship. "Always a Colt"  

Something's Missing

 For the ump-teenth time today I have driven from Denver to Pueblo to attend my school's yearly get-together/training. Working at a statewide, online school can sometimes present challenges and one of those is finding the money and time to get us all together in the same place. Well, this is that time and this is that place.

Each year they put me up in a hotel of their choosing somewhere within Pueblo. I don't mind being here, there's not much to do but I'm not here to be a tourist anyway.

One of the first things I do when checking into a hotel is open all the drawers - anyone else do that?!?! I'm also curious to see what they keep in there, extra blankets or extra pillows (yes, please!), and sometimes some tourism info. This was maybe one of the first times where it dawned on me that the last few times I've been in hotels, something is missing.

I'm not much of a Bible reader, but expect a Gideon's Bible to be discreetly placed inside one of the numerous drawers in a hotel room. When looking through my room this evening I didn't find one, which led me to think back to previous hotel stays. I do not remember seeing one recently, so is this a thing still? Did Gideon give up on trying to convert the masses?

Secondly, this hotel has no little informational booklet. Not a word about their own property or what to do in this small town. Do you need ice? Well, too bad, we're not going to tell you where it is! We have a pool, but you've got to wander the halls to find it or call us at the desk and we'll give you the info. I am a borderline millennial and I do not want to pick up the phone, so I want that book to give me all the information I need.

Maybe I'm getting too old fashioned and just plain old, thinking about the bygone days of finding the Bible or reading through the hotel's info booklet.

My First Time

Today is the day, my first time flying all by myself. It's such a weird feeling being by myself, even though it's feels automatic - get to the airport early, get through security, wait patiently (and maybe a bit anxiously) at the gate, board the plane, etc.

A few months ago I encouraged my 19 year old niece to go somewhere by herself (of course I've been trying to get her to backpack Europe, so start small) and she did! She visited a friend in Virginia and flew by herself. Okay, so that's something she has accomplished that I have yet to do, and I told her so, she can do anything, even fly alone.

Two months later, here I am sitting at the gate waiting to board a plane for Indianapolis. I travel a lot for work, usually conferences and my husband tags along. We've been to several cities we may not have visited otherwise. So why is this one different? I started a side job coaching teachers and the company I work for also provides professional development. An opportunity popped up and I had room in my schedule so I jumped on it. It's a 3 hour training, that's it, so it's a quick trip. I've never been to Indy and neither has my husband but when I started looking at flights I knew that we couldn't swing a few extra days, I would need to get in and get out. He told me it wasn't worth it, I didn't want to be the one to say it so I'm glad he did. 

So, that's it, that's the story. I'm officially an adult. 

Art in Philadelphia

We were fortunate to have the chance to visit several places containing art. Within Philly it is varied and beautiful, along with historic and long-lasting.

The first place we found some amazing art was in the Curtis Center lobby. There stands the 100 year old Tiffany mural, Dream Garden, installed in 1916, and based off of a landscape painting by Maxfield Parrish. Using Tiffany glass the design covers a 15' by 49' wall in the back of the lobby, and is strikingly lit for maximum viewing.

Secondly, we visited the Magic Garden. Local artist Isaiah Zagar lived in the property next door and started collecting materials and creating his artwork all over the empty lot next to it. When the landowner wanted to sell the property and came to visit he discovered Isaiah's artwork and asked him to remove it all. Instead Isaiah was able to raise the money to buy the property (at an exorbitant price) in order to maintain and display his art.

Although we did not get a chance to explore the whole area due to rain, I would go back again and again to walk through the art!

Lastly, we attended music Friday at the Philadelphia Art Museum. For the regular price of entry there is a live band and catered food and drinks (for an extra cost), plus access to the galleries until 8:45pm. As a bonus, the ticket includes 2-day admission to the museum and others nearby.

We ate some dinner, listened to music, and drank a bit of wine. Afterwards, we spent about an hour wandering through just one part of the very large museum. Lucky me got to see Van Gogh's Sunflowers!

There are several other art museums that we did not have time to see, but based on what we could visit I would guess that there is a lot of great artwork abounding in this city.

Oh, I can not forget to mention the statue of Rocky Balboa outside the art museum: 

The Historical District of Philly

Throughout the week we could see Independence Hall and the building housing the Liberty Bell from our hotel window. On Tuesday we finally toured each.

The Liberty Bell is free to see and is held in a long building containing information on the history of the bell and uses throughout that time. Upon entering the building visitors are asked to walk through metal detectors, so in high times expect a wait, luckily winter is not a busy time, so we made it in the door within 5 minutes.

There is a volunteer historian standing around the bell to help answer questions and occasionally will start speaking to the crowd gathered to give some background on the bell. It was fascinating to learn that the bell really had no special beginnings, it was just a bell amongst many in the city. During the British occupation of 1777 it was hidden along with the other bells, outside the city so it was not melted down and used for musket balls. So, maybe that's the appeal of it all, humble beginnings to a great symbol of freedom and unity!

Through the back of the building one can view Independence Hall and if the lighting is right a nice picture of both can be captured.

After leaving the Liberty Bell we traveled across the street to view Independence Hall. It also provides a free tour, given by National Park rangers, and includes a walk through a metal detector.

Originally the hall was used as a courtroom and is still set up as such. Across from the small court room area is the hall where our Founding Fathers discussed, created, and signed the Declaration of Independence.

The infamous Sunrise chair is also located in this room. I posted a picture of myself sitting in the replica here.

There are other buildings on the premises as well, including the first rooms where the newly created Congress and House met. It is amazing to think that so many influential men walked those halls and built a country from the ground up.

Edgar Allan Poe's ties to Philadelphia

While planning our trip to Philadelphia I discovered that Edgar Allan Poe spent about 6 years in Philadelphia writing and editing magazines. He lived in 5 different places and one of those has been set aside to honor him.

Although nothing remains of Poe in the house itself it has been a way for Philadelphia to remember what he did while staying in the city. His wife and mother-in-law where also with him during this time.

The house is unrestored, but is stable enough to tour and get a feel for what each room was used for and who may have slept in each bedroom. The cellar is also a creepy place to visit as it inspired the short story, "The Black Cat."

Poe also wrote many other tales while living in Philadelphia (list courtesy of http://www.ushistory.org/tour/edgar-allan-poe-house.htm)

Monday Funday in the City of Brotherly Love

Our second full day in Philadelphia brought up to Reading Terminal Market and the Museum of the American Revolution.

Several people told us to head the Market with empty stomachs because there is so much to eat, so we figured that would be our first stop after a late morning at the hotel.

Walking the three-quarter mile to the Reading Terminal Market (pronounced Redding) we built up even more of an appetite. Our first goal was walk the market and scope out possible locations for the best food. Shortly we realized there is no "Best" food because it all looked amazing. Why not start with some Stromboli, then head over to find some other snacks, homemade Amish pickles to be exact!

One pretzel deli sells the elusive Surge soda

Toss in a few donuts, a whoopee pie, and a handful of chocolates from Mueller's (for the folks back home, of course!) and that seemed to round out our trip in the market. It only took 3 hours to consume it all and feel satisfied to leave for the day. Knowing we could come back later in the week as our hotel will be only a block away.

Whoopee Pie

Our next stop was the Museum of the American Revolution. What drew me in would be the prospect of seeing George Washington's actual tent used towards the end of the war. Then, what did I do? Spent too much time in the rest of the museum and ended up missing the whole presentation! My fault, but overall we really enjoyed the information and artifacts presented in the museum.

A sign at the Museum showing Eagles pride

Tearing down King George III's statue

The infamous sunrise chair (replica) sat in by Thomas Jefferson