Again!

If memory serves me right, didn’t I just cover this a couple weeks ago? But now I’ve got good reason to revisit this topic since this week marks the first of three weeks of my annual summer VACATION! Yup, that’s right, three weeks away from the daily grind that almost nixed my blog last week!

You may have noticed I spend a fair amount of time traveling in my job, so the last thing I want to do during some time off is travel. My concept of an ideal vacation is to kick back with no specific plans, sleep in late, stay up late and spend a lot of time Wandering Indiana on a motorcycle. I might even try to knock off a couple items on my “need fixing” list that dates back almost 10 years now. Now, how’s that for procrastinating!

One of the local TV stations has been talking about one-tank getaways around Indiana for the past couple days. With the July 4^th Independence Day holiday just a couple days away, there are all kinds of local activities to participate in without breaking the bank. Local ABC affiliate, WTHR Indianapolis weather personality Chuck Lofton has a great Web site that links you to many Indiana attractions: Chuck Lofton’s One Tank Getaways

If you’re in the Central Indiana area, one of my favorite destination recommendations is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You can easily spend the better part of a day visiting the Hall of Fame Museum. The photo archives room on the second floor has an amazing collection of photography that Dave Hillberry will guide you through. After perusing what’s considered one of the most comprehensive collections of racing memorabilia in the world, you can add to your own collection from a vast array of memorabilia in the Museum’s gift shop. They even have a sale going on this week at their online store: IMS Online Store

Probably the best option available during your visit is the behind-the-scenes Grounds Tours. IMS Grounds Tour guests will visit the timing-and-scoring suite in the Pagoda, the Media Center, Victory Podium, Gasoline Alley garage area and the world-famous “Yard of Bricks” at the start/finish line in addition to a guided tour of the Hall of Fame Museum.  Here’s some more information from Eric Powell complete with a schedule: IMS Grounds Tours

Grounds Tour tickets and information are available by contacting Mary Geiss at the Hall of Fame Museum office at (317) 492-6747 or mgeiss@brickyard.com. Tickets also will be available for purchase at the Museum, but space is limited and tours often sold out.

Oh, I almost forgot! If you like wacking little white dimpled balls around big expanses of manicured green lawns, you can book a tee time at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course. Brickyard Crossing, designed by the legendary Pete Dye, is one of the top public courses in America. It also provides the unique experience of playing four holes inside the legendary oval of the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Book Tee Times Online

Well, I think I hear one of my two-wheeled friends calling me from the garage wanting some exercise on one of Indiana’s many twisty back roads, so I’ll see you all next week at www.redbullindianapolisgp.com.

Greg