September 21, 2010

Boston or Bust - NOT!

It was approaching Labor Day Weekend and our long weekend trip to Boston!  Neither of us had ever been and we were excited to see a new city with new sites.  Won a bid on Priceline for the Intercontinental Hotel right on the water!  Had the city mapped out, coupons printed and places to do and things to see planned.  When what to my wondering eyes should appear?  Why, it's Hurricane Earl...not a dear!  Bummer!  Hurricane Earl was busy churning up the coast and the eastern seaboard.  The day before we were to fly out, Boston appeared on the official potential "target" list as a possible "hit!"  I had to make a decision and fast...so I sprang into action....  I kept my fingers crossed as I called Priceline hoping against hope that they would at least give me a credit for the pre-paid hotel.  I thought I was in trouble when I explained we needed to cancel because of the hurricane and the reply I got was "What hurricane?"  Uh oh!  Turned out he was on the southwest side of Mexico and they tracked all the hurricanes, so he was really serious and meant "which hurricane?"  I was in total shock when he offered a TOTAL refund back to my card!!!  I was really suprised, but immediately said Yes, thank you!  Then I called Airtran, who had already repeatedly said "don't call them...they're busy!"  Got through in about 5 minutes (which is unbelievable at any time, let alone a hurricane time)  They offered me a 100% credit to be used in the next year!  No penalties, no cancellation fees due to the hurricane.  YAY!  YAY!  YAY!  I couldn't believe my ears.  So no harm, no foul!  Now that we decided to stay in good 'ole hurricane free Indiana for the long weekend...what to do? 
Well...........we started with a good 'ole fashioned fish fry on Friday:


Then moved on to White River Gardens, Ribfest and downtown Indy on Saturday:  


Can you tell which butterfly is from our garden and which is a "professional" butterfly from the White River Gardens?

Ribfest....MMMMmmmmm Yummy!
Adding my opinion to the IUPUI discussion boards.
Look!  A downtown Boston trolley!  Maybe we really are in Boston!?  Maybe this is "Lost?"  Ahh, the city keeps moving!  (must be a Lost fan to follow that diatribe!)

Shopping in Little Nashville on Sunday.

Riding 20 miles on Cardinal Greenway in Muncie on Monday, Labor Day.  (and labor we did!)  If we had made it to the end of the path (34 mile round trip) we would have been rewarded with a quaint restaurant at the end of the trail.  Sigh!  Too bad...didn't make it.  (Note to self...get in shape...goal for next time!)  :-)  Did you know that there are over 100 miles of bike trail running N/S on the eastern side of the state.  Goes all the way to Fort Wayne and down to some little Indiana burg on the south.


Tuesday went to the Badlands in Attica:
On the way back, stopped for ice cream cones and found a cool corn maze:
 Check out my awesome shots from laying on the ground and looking upwards.  Figured I could win a big photography contest with these:
Thankfully, we had the most picture perfect weather all weekend!  Good thing we stayed here!

Boston or Bust?  Naaahhh!!  Indiana is Incredible!