Can’t believe I found another one!

If you remember from my entry a couple weeks ago, the weather here in central Indiana has gotten full swing into the winter mode. Temperatures are consistently below 40 degrees F, and the snow is flying pretty good just north of Indianapolis. Also, I don’t have any of that slick, heated cold-weather riding gear a lot of my riding buddies are using now. I know: I’m a lightweight. In fact, it’s so cold outside; I’ve moved all the motorcycles into the family room of my house so they don’t have to suffer through the cold in the garage.

Well, I had a chance to spend a long weekend in San Francisco as a “tourist,” which is very different than my normal business travel mode. In fact, I’m writing the Experience to you all from a lovely old Victorian house in the Noe Valley area of San Francisco.

This spur-of-the-moment trip gave me the opportunity to experience the grand-spanking-new Weir Cook International Terminal at the Indianapolis International Airport that just opened for business a week ago. A direct and simple arrival to the new terminal from the new exit #68 off I-70 was followed by an effortless check-in at the Delta ticket counter in a beautifully designed terminal building.

The next test of this new facility is typically one of the most stressful experiences in today’s world of airline travel – the TSA security screening area. Well, the folks out at the Indianapolis International Airport did a grand job of designing a generously sized area to accommodate a smooth and expeditious trip through the security area and deliver you into a gate concourse full of surprises.

While I was getting ready to go through the X-ray equipment, a young lady behind me commented on the bright red Ducati Corse sweatshirt I was wearing. Wow, there are Ducati fans everywhere you go!

Now I’m past security and walking into the B concourse toward my departure gate and what do I see? I find myself standing right in front of a South Bend Chocolate Company store with the siren lure of chocolate delights whiffing out into the concourse. Not only am I a lightweight, I also have no willpower when it comes to chocolate, so I am obliged to check out this new establishment that is a kin to one of our favorite places to stop in downtown Indianapolis for treats.

Guess who I see behind the counter at the Chocolate Café but none other than the young lady who complimented me on my bright red Ducati Corse sweatshirt at the TSA security screening area. Liz proceeded to make me the most decadent cup of white chocolate hot chocolate I have ever experienced. Wow, what a delightful experience chatting with Liz and indulging in a steaming hot cup of chocolate ecstasy!

So all you fans who plan to visit Indianapolis next year and attend the 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 30, 2009, be sure to stop by the Chocolate Café if you are arriving at the new Weir Cook Terminal at the Indianapolis International Airport.

Anyway, I need to sign off for now, but I’ll see you all in a couple weeks at www.redbullindianapolisgp.com.

Greg