"My" weekend getaway to Madison, Indiana

Wow! I had reached the point that I needed to get away, have some "Dave" time, but I've never done that before. Oh sure, I travel and most of the time I travel alone, but to just take off for a weekend, nope, had never done that.

I decided that my destination was going to be Madison, Indiana. I've been to Madison, but each time it was for only a short stay. I'm not sure what the attraction was, but when thinking about getting away, Madison was the first place that came to mind.

Okay, I knew my destination, that was easy, now where to stay, ahh ha! a bed and breakfast would be nice and Madison has several. I was fortunate and found a room at Windy Hill B&B. Windy Hill offered everything I was looking for, peace and quiet and a nice view, and oh my what a view of the Ohio River.

I spent part of Saturday morning and most of Saturday afternoon walking around Madison, exploring the many antique stores, had lunch at Roger's, a cool little restaruant with a counter and soda fountain. I was having a good time, but I really didn't know if I was doing this whole, "traveling alone" thing the right way. Then I realized, there isn't a right way to travel alone, there is only "my" way, and from that point on, I had an absolute ball. From my time walking along the Ohio River, to visiting Thomas Family Winery, it was just what I needed.

Back at Windy Hill, I sat on the front porch in a rocker and read and enjoyed the view. And traveling alone, I didn't have to ask anyone if I could take a nap, I just took one.

For dinner I decided on the Historic Broadway Hotel (salmon, baked potato, two glasses of wine). After dinner, I was ready to go back to Windy Hill and a quiet night of reading.

I woke up early on Sunday, made a pot of coffee, showered and sat on the front porch reading and listening to the birds sing. Kathy, the owner of Windy Hill, fixed breakfast and we sat and talked until about 10:30 a.m. when I decided it was time for me to head out. I took Kathy's suggestion and before leaving Madison I walked the Heritage Trail (more about it in another post).

It was a really good weekend getaway. And the best part, I did it "alone."

Welcome to the "hood"

This whole thing about living in the "hood" came about when talking with Kate Flock, one of the nicest ladies you will meet in Indianapolis, asked me what part of the hood I lived in. By the way, Kate and her husband Kurt own Flock Realty.

I talk about the hood with friends and mention it most days on Twitter. I thought it might be nice to show you around, "my hood," better known as "The Old Northside."

One of the first things you'll notice are the beautiful old homes, many restored I'm sure to their natural beauty.

Located a softball throw away from where I live is the Morris-Butler House Museum. I hate to admit it, but I've never been there. I'll put that on my "things to do" list.

A walk around the "hood" you'll also see beautiful gardens.

One of my favorite places is this garden located on Park Street, literally in the middle of the neighborhood. It's where I go for lunch to read, in the evenings it's a great place to sit and unwind.

Sites from within the park.

Something I have always loved, wrought iron fences, and walking around the hood, you'll see all types and styles.

I'll end this little glimpse of the "hood" with what may be the most unique site you'll see, the hitching post and carriage step is located on Broadway Street. Each time I walk by, I can picture a beautiful lady being helped from the carriage.

The next time you're in Indianapols, take some time and come visit the "hood."

Not at all like I remember

As I was walking around the Jennings County fair the other night, a John Deere 4020 caught my eye. It was a beaut, just like the one I grew up on as a 13 year old kid in Ohio. It was like a magnet, drawing me in, oh sure, there were other tractors sitting there too, an Allis Chalmers 190XT, an International 806, even a Farmall Super C like my brother had, but it was that shiny 1965 JD 4020 with the chrome exhaust that called me.

But as I walked up to it, something was wrong, the John Deere 4020 I grew up driving was a BIG tractor, the biggest on the farm. But this one, well it wasn't all that big. Oh it was just like the one I grew up driving alright, but after 43 years it was not at all like I remembered.

AM Radio

Call me old fashioned, maybe even sentimental, but a recent early morning drive to Bloomington, Illinois reminded me why I still love AM radio. The atmospheric conditions allowed me to listen to AM 750-WSB/Atalnta, GA; AM 820-WBAP/Dallas-Ft.Worth, TX; AM 850-KOA/Denver, CO; AM-830 WCCO/Minneapolis, MN; AM 1040-WHO/Des Moines, IA.

Growing up in rural Ohio, I spent a lot of hours listening to Cincinnati Reds baseball on AM 700-WLW/Cincinnati, using a small transitor AM radio at night and then during the day while driving tractor cultivating corn in the summer or chopping corn stalks in the fall, that fender mounted AM radio was constantly blaring music from AM 800-CKLW/Detroit-Windsor.

It was that AM radio influence that eventually led me to a career in radio. Oh, and my first radio job, AM 1390-WTOO/Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Back stage at the Vanity Theater

While I would pace and nervously go over my lines before going on stage, the kids, well, they play games backstage.

Megan napping

Looking back through some photos, I found this one. No wonder Megan and Seth get a long so well.

Maybe I should be concerned.

Best friends

Kim and Jeff are two of my very best and dearest friends.

The kind of friend that will want to know "how" I'm really doing or "what" I'm really feeling, that kind of friend.