The Indy 500 is back on . . . not 100% - but good enough for us to head back to the track after a year’s pandemic hiatus. The seating capacity will be operating at 40%, the infield will not be open on those important days leading up to the race, and the events are being scaled back a bit. There is a bit of a question of what to do about the attendance record – 47 years for Tom if you count him watching from the sofa last year! Wednesday, May 26 The morning was a downpour of rain and we gladly delayed leaving for Indianapolis until it stopped at noon. This first night is nothing more than a strategy to lay over at the Indiana State Fairgrounds to be in position for an early arrival at our parking lot on Thursday morning. The lot opens at 7:00 a.m., and the Fairgrounds is just 10 miles from the track. The early bird gets the . . . prime parking/camping spots! The fairgrounds was a busy place when we arrived at 3:00 with graduates lining up outside one of the large arenas for a commencement ceremony. This did not interfere at all with our claiming a camping site, and settling down to wait out our early morning liftoff. We did not bother to unhook! Supper on this first night was a crab dip with chips and pretzel bites, and apples with a caramel dip . . . all while watching the classic movie “The Searchers” on GRIT TV! Enjoying the trip along with us -- Pippa Joy and Charlie Button. Thursday, May 27 Aside from being set for 6:00 in the morning – Tom’s alarm has an exceptionally annoying blast! But it did the job of getting us up to drive the last 10 miles into the track, arriving by 6:45, as the sun was just rising above the stands. We are guessing that there will not be as many campers as in past years, and the electricians are not setting up as many electrical spots. We are situated beside long-time parking-lot-friends Mike and Karen, who are in a new Tiffin motorhome this year. It always takes a while to get squared away in the parking lot and to access the electricity. Usually we have friends who park with their camping trailer facing us so that we have a large and open social space to spread out in. This year we are by ourselves and our front “patio” abruptly ends on the backside of the large motorhome beside us! We took a trip to downtown, Main Street Speedway (2 miles away) for lunch. The restaurants were just starting to come alive, and we quickly chose Dawson’s for the outdoor seating area. Tom had the meatloaf sandwich, and I had the BBQ Pork – both delicious. The day warmed up and we shut the windows and turned on the AC. Our only afternoon agenda consisted of meeting and greeting our camping comrades as they trickled into the parking lot. The day remained overcast with a light breeze . . . and a threat of thunderstorms in the evening. As we cooked steaks on the grill, we put away most of our outdoor stuff in preparation of the rain. Friday, May 28 Predictions for the overnight storms did not happen. There was a light rain this morning as we waited for our crew to arrive. The big question was if there would be the Carb Day practice session at 10:00. Caleb and Halie arrived at 9:45 – drizzling with a not so favorable forecast for the next few hours. Regardless, they suited up in Frog Toggs and headed for the track. (On a positive note, once this rain passed, the weekend was looking great!) It was 67 degrees when we woke up this morning, and by 1:00 it was down to 59! The track dried out and the cars came out and they were able to get in a full two-hour practice. This is what Tom, Halie and Caleb had gone over to see, and from the looks of the pictures they sent me they were enjoying the experience. Micah arrived at 2:15, but decided not to go over for what was left of the practice. After the crew got back from the track, it was cold and raining again and we all crawled back in the Airstream to warm up and make a plan for dinner. We searched out a City BBQ and that fit the bill just fine. When we passed a Microtel Motel, on a whim I called and asked if they had any rooms available. . . YES! We booked Caleb and Halie a room knowing they would enjoy the warmth, a shower, and a comfortable bed for the overnight. In addition, we would not have to set up the tent that fits on the back of the minivan until tomorrow! A hotel 3 minutes from the speedway is a first . . . one of a long lists of "firsts" in our Indy experience! Saturday, March 29 We woke to a coolish morning at 45 degrees – but blue sky and no sign of rain! From this point on it just got better and better. Caleb and Halie had enjoyed their little reprieve from parking lot camping in the back of a mini-van and Micah, Tom and I busted out of the camper expecting a great day. Micah put in his usual lengthy morning walk and Tom and I enjoyed sitting outside in the sun and drinking coffee. It has become painfully obvious that Tom is ready to have his right hip replaced. For quite a while it has been an off and on bother – it has suddenly become a constant pain. We might have to make some adjustment to our summer schedule to get it taken care of. Having had the left one done years ago (1-17-'17), Tom knows what great results he can get. Micah, Tom and I left the parking lot at 10:00 to drive by Camp Bremmer. Pat and Jennifer graciously open their front yard to camping -- over 10 years in a row. They live just a short walk from the track, and the whole area is very festive and race-oriented. We took Micah to Dawson’s restaurant, but opted to eat inside. We did have a table up by the large windows and had a good view of a little parade featuring a drive-by with the drivers! Tom hustled outside to grab a video. The meal was again wonderful, as these pictures show! Caleb and Halie arrived back at the parking lot at 1:00 with a mind to head into the track for whatever action might be out and about. Tom gave the hip a rest in preparation for race day, and Micah hung out with us and helped to set up the Minivan with the tent. Caleb and Halie were back by 4:00, and we all enjoyed a happy hour and chose our drivers for the race: Tom, Rinus Veekey; Ella, TK; Micah, Scott Dixon; Caleb, Helio Castronevas; Halie, Colton Herta. And, because Grandma Brown was always an Ed Carpenter fan and he is looking good this year, we bequeathed Ed to Eve! It was a bit chilly in the shade, but the sun was very warming as we cooked and ate hamburgers at the parking lot. As soon as that sun went down, it was decidedly chilly. Caleb and Halie gamely entered their sleeping quarters – with a portable heater it was not too bad. Tom, Micah and I settled in the Silvermine, and we all were anxious for that 6:00 AM cannon blast! Sunday, May 30 It was not just a single shot of the cannon at 6:00 – it was a rousing volley of cannon shots. We didn’t hear it so much in the Silvermine – but it blasted Caleb and Halie wide awake! The sky was clear and by 7:30, the sun was out, and the day was to warm up to 68 degrees! It is a lengthy process to prepare to leave for the race. Caleb and Halie had to pack up their little Taj mahal; the tent, sleeping bags, bedding, blow-up bed, heater, porta-pot, gear bags and other paraphernalia had to be stashed away. Most of our outdoor camping equipment was also packed away for an easier after-race getaway. Breakfast had to be eaten, along with a last-minute panic to locate tickets and pack lunch and everything else needed for the race. Caleb and Halie were off at 8:30 and Tom and Micah followed at 8:48. I got parting shots. I arranged everything inside the Silvermine just the way I wanted it, walked the dogs, and then settled in for my private race-day agenda. This year, for the first time, the race was being broadcast locally, and I was able to watch it on TV! The green flag waved at 12:45 and the race was on. I absolutely loved my seat in the Silvermine – windows open to hear the roaring track noise across the street, and TV tuned in to follow the cars as the race played out! It was a great race with a wonderful and surprising ending. As I caught on to the history that was being made, I took pictures and a video of the end of the race. May the FOURTH be with you, Helio! In the video, you can see Helio flashing 4 white-gloved fingers and then slapping his helmeted head after he crossed the finish line. He climbed the fence and then ran down the track in front of his fans! What a win, and what a celebration! Having chosen Helio as his driver-to-win, Caleb’s camera was on him the entire race – here are some great pictures from his seat up in the penthouse. Within 20 minutes of the race’s end Tom and Micah made it back to the parking lot with Caleb and Halie arriving 20 minutes later. We were mostly packed up and just had a few hitching chores to finish before saying our last goodbyes. It was the shortest race in history . . . and we set a new record arriving back home!
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May 13, Thursday We’ve had another cold spell, but there is every reason to believe that it will be the last one. The prediction is for 4 days of sunshine and temps in the high 60’s in Anderson, IN where we will be camping at Mounds State Park. Caleb and Halie will be joining us tomorrow and the boys will trek to the track on Saturday for the Indianapolis Grand Prix while Halie and I search some local stores for bargains! It just doesn’t get much better than that! I had a little dental detailing to take care of in the morning, but we were still out of the driveway by 9:30 . . . under a blue sky. We were not in any particular hurry. We did have a shop-stop to make at the Meijer’s store, and a quick KFC lunch, but we set up in our campsite by 1:00. Following was a wonderful afternoon of encampment with sunshine, warm temps, books, music, walks, etc. Dinner was hamburgers with grilled onions, bacon, and pepper-jack cheese. Following was a walk around the campground loop. Books were decidedly good in the evening, and we didn’t bother to see what channels we could tease out on the TV! The campground was about 30% full. May 14, Friday We ran a couple errands into Anderson this morning, and then back to our campsite. I did a little taste-test survey: What is the perfect temperature to sit outside under full sun with no breeze? Answer: 62 degrees! That is with short sleeves and capri-length pants on! Good to know for future reference! That is how we spent time up until lunch! Lunch was a first – Skyline Chili Spaghetti . . . in a pouch. We could tell no difference from restaurant or home prepared! Next time we are at Jungle Jim’s I think we will stock up! The afternoon was devoted to waiting for Caleb and Halie to join us. They arrived promptly at 2:00 and settled into the campsite. We are camped in the handicap site next to the bath house, and they will be staying with us in the Silvermine for two nights. The real reason for this trip was the Indianapolis Grand Prix. The action started today at 4:30 as qualifications were broadcast live from the track, and we listened to the combat on the radio. When the front side of the Silvermine began receiving full sun despite the awning . . . we moved to the back side and sat in the comfort of the shade. When Caleb picked Pippa up and held her to the sky – it took me a moment to see what he was doing! When he started singing “Wim-o-weh o-wim-o-weh o-wim-o-weh o-wim-o-weh” I caught on! Dinner was a big deal: lobster tails, ribeye steaks, and twice-baked potatoes . . . and picture-perfect weather! Mounds has some beautiful hiking trails and after supper we took the paved trail back to the big mound! Later the four of us settled inside the Silvermine in preparation of an early morning send-off to the track. May 15, Saturday The early send-off happened all around Halie and me while we stayed hunkered down in our beds. By 7:00 Tom and Caleb were gone, and Halie and I savored another hour. I walked the whole campground with the dogs while Halie followed her morning routine. Then we sat outside to eat our scrambled egg cups and coffee. By 10:00 we were off for a little shopping trip in Noblesville at a charming little outdoor mall. I can’t believe I didn’t score something at Duluth Trading Post, but we both were successful at another store. Following a Qdoba lunch where we sat outside enjoying the perfect weather, we headed back to the campsite for our version of the race – lawn chairs with a radio under the awning! We had to turn sideways and scoot next to the Silvermine for a little slice of shade. Just as a sliver of sun reached us, clouds moved in accompanied by a little cold front and a good breeze; saved us from moving to the shade at the back of the trailer! On the radio we heard it was spitting rain at the racetrack, and Tom sent me a message that I might want to prepare the campsite for rain. That never materialized, but the temperature did drop by 6 degrees! The boys fed us pictures and news from their seats at the track. . . . I preferred my seat at the campground! It has been a couple years, but Micah was still able to perform the “amazing feat of strength” --- carrying Caleb up to the seats, and back down! They were in their seats by 9:00, and had a great view of the track! Micah had packed brisket sandwiches and snacks for everyone! Here is a video Tom made of the first lap! Halie and I met the boys at a Mexican Restaurant for dinner, and then Caleb and Halie took off for home. Tom and I walked the dogs and enjoyed talking to neighbors during the evening.
Our next planned camping trip is the Indianapolis 500! |
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |