Reaching the top!!!

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Reaching the top!!

Yesterday was a busy day.  My son and I spent the day with my grandsons and their friend.  Two of the boys are 10 and the other one is 5.  

We went downtown in Indianapolis on a "field trip" as my 5 year old grandson called it. 

We started out today at the Indiana State Museum.  We went to the new "Star Wars" exhibit.  The boys were excited about going to see the exhibit.  

Next we saw the "Lincoln" exhibit.  After that we went to a couple of regular exhibits.

It was about one o'clock and I had a few starving boys.  We looked at the menu for "The Farmer's Market" restaurant inside the museum.  The boys didn't think they liked the food on the menu.  We decided to walk to the TGI Fridays that was across the street from the museum.  We had some burgers there.

I had a cheeseburger, no bun and instead of a regular side, I asked for a small salad.  They said, "No problem!"  Most restaurants are very willing to make whatever you want.  Waiters and waitresses just want you to be happy.  It means more tip for them.



After lunch, we decided we wanted to go to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.  It is a 284ft 6in tall monument located on Monument Circle in the center of Indianpolis.  It was completed in 1901.  

We began walking down the street to the monument.  We passed the State Office Buildings and I decided to stop at the Indiana Firefighters and Law Enforcement Memorial which is on the lawn beside the state offices.  My oldest son works in the building so we called him and he came down and spent a few minutes with us.  We took some pictures at the monument.  My first husband's name is engraved on the wall.  

We took a few minutes to talk about it being the 34th anniversary of his death.  My son that works in the building is now 38.  He was 4 when his dad died.

We walked through the Rotunda at the State Capitol Building.  Then on to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

In the lower level of the monument is a Civil War Museum.  It is free and there are several exhibits.  We spent some time going through the museum and looking at all of the Civil War memorabilia.  

At the Promenade level of the monument are the steps to take you to the top of the monument.  It is free to walk up the steps.  The elevator costs $2.00.  There are 331 steps to the top of the monument.  The monument is 21 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty.  We decided to walk up to the top.  Then stairs are very narrow.  It is a long way to the top.  

Well, actually, I wouldn't know.  I didn't quite make it to the top.  The boys all got way ahead of me.  When I got most of the way to the top they were coming back down.  I was about 20 steps from the top.  In the crowded stairwell, it gets narrower as you get closer to the top, they were coming down and so were other people.  I just turned around and went back down with them.  They said the view from the top was really good.  

I'm not getting to upset about not getting up there.  I saw Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower.  I'm sure Indianapolis from the top of the monument couldn't quite measure up.  I have seen Indianapolis from the top of the tallest buildings in the city.  It really is a beautiful city.

After the trip to the top of the monument, we walked back to the car.  The boys were thirsty, I promised them a milkshake on the way back to their house.  The day must have been very tiring, because they all fell asleep not long after we left downtown.  I still owe them milkshakes.  The 5 year old won't let me forget that.

When we got back to my daughter's house, she wanted us to go to dinner with her before we went home.  We went to a new barbecue place.  I just had baked chicken and green beans.  I am still staying pretty good with my diet.

Well, let me tell you, today I can feel everyone of those 300 odd steps I took up to the top of the monument!  My legs are the sorest they have been in a long time.  The thighs and the calves are so sore I can hardly stand up.  Great exercise!  Maybe I should climb like that every day.