Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Kurt's Bday Indy Trip--Trip Report and Pics

Normally, we fly someplace for Kurt’s bday, but with our recent near death experience, flying was NOT happening this year. We decided to pick a place we could drive to, and Indy it was!

Started out the trip by renting a car from Enterprise to drive to Indy. Got a Dodge Charger, which was a very comfy car to take with us. Got that, and headed off to Indy! The drive was very nice--no traffic at all, totally clear roads, took about 4 hours from Newport. Kurt and I both drove some. Got there around 730 PM or so, and checked into the Canterbury Hotel in downtown Indy. We were upgraded to a Parlour Suite by the concierge pre-trip, and our room was really nice. The hotel itself was 122 years old and everything was historical and gorgeous. Our room was an entryway, a living room with desk, couch, and chairs as well as a flat screen TV, a bedroom with sitting area and TV, and the bathroom. Relaxed in the room some, and then headed to Mccormick and Schmick‘s for dinner. We sat in the bar area and our waitress pointed out that late night happy hour started in like 15 minutes. So, we ordered drinks and some salad/soup, and then ordered SUPER cheap meals at 930 PM when happy hour started. Fish tacos, parmesean/garlic fries……..Yum. And each choice was only $1.95, which is a crazy good deal for a nice restaurant! Great service as well. Headed to the room after that for the night.

Friday, slept in. Yay. Rare we get to do that in the middle of the week. Anyway, we got up and it was a blizzard outside. Which was kinda funny, since at that time, we had gotten no snow in Newport yet. Stopped and ate lunch at Chammp’s. Their BBQ salmon salad is awesome……Headed next to the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum located in the basement of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The museum was very kewl. Lots of Civil War info and memorabilia. We also went to the top of the monument (kurt wussed out on me and took the elevator, refusing to take the stairs, haha) and we got to see some pretty nice views of the city (through the snow). Walked around the mall (Circle Centre Mall) attached to our hotel after that. Went and got a massage next at Spa in the City. Place was a hair salon with one room for massage, but they are expanding right now and will have an entire area for massage soon. Then, the Pistons game! We walked over to Conseco, and found our seats, which were awesome. 5 rows behind the Pistons bench. The Pistons lost BAD, but the game was a lot of fun and I loved sitting that close to the game. Conseco felt so small compared to the Palace, but I liked it because there really was not a bad seat in the there. After the game, walked to The Old Spaghetti Factory, where we sat in the bar area to watch the Bulls game while eating dinner, and we had the entire floor to ourselves. Food was really good, and service was perfect. Great prices there as well. Went back to the hotel and to bed.

Saturday, slept in again. Bliss. Got up and headed to Studio 2000 for another massage. Really nice place with awesome décor. Massage was incredible as well. My therapist really understood deep tissue, which is rare. I was in pain (in a good way). After that, went and had lunch at Chammp’s again, then headed to the Indy Art Museum. I was not expecting a lot, but the place was gorgeous and the art fabulous. Not an overwhelming place, but great stuff. After that, headed to the hotel room to relax and get ready for dinner with Charlene and Brent. They picked us up at 700 PM and took us to a hangout of theirs, Ale Emporium. We got to see a band, Living Proof, while there, that was the best local band I have ever seen. They were awesome. Dinner was really good, and it was nice to catch up with Char and meet Brent.

Sunday, got up and headed out to the War Memorial. The interior of this building was incredible, like all marble with gorgeous detail. We visited the museum there, which was great. Very interesting artifacts and information. After that, headed out of town and home.

Overall, great relaxing trip. We tried to NOT pack in as much as we do on weekend trips, and just planned a lot of time to relax and do nothing, which was nice. We loved Indy--very down to Earth, laid back people live there, and we felt very safe walking around the City and area.

Click here to see the pics from the trip.

Oh, I almost forgot. I felt so bad we could not take a flying trip someplace this year, that I bought him an actual gift, which I have not done in forever. He was surprised, and loved it! I got him a Fantasy Press Package to a Detroit Tigers game, which includes the following, for two people. We also had dinner on his actual birthday with a group of friends at Crave Lounge in Dearborn, which is Kurt's fav restaurant in MI. Click here to see pics from dinner.

Receive an autographed baseball signed by both the TV and Radio Announcers

Dinner in the press box

Spend two innings in the Tigers radio broadcast booth with Dan Dickerson and former Tiger Jim Price

Spend two innings in the Tigers TV broadcast booth with Mario Impemba and Rod Allen

Watch the remainder of the game in the press box with Tigers VP of Communications Ron Colangelo and a Tigers beat writer "TBD"


Happy Birthday, Kurty!

4 comments:

Mrs. Lukie said...

What a cool gift!! Glad you two had a fun time :)

Nicole said...

Great weekend! Glad you had such a nice time. Kurt's birthday gift sounds like a lot of fun!

Natalie said...

I've never been downtown Indy although been through there many times. The war memorial looks awesome! I heart Old Spaghetti Factory!!!!

COL said...

I love your trip recaps! Sounds like a great time!