Day 2: Gentlemen, start your engines!

We awoke early before most of the Wasil clan, rolled up our sleeping bags, and snuck out the back door to watch the fog settle over the lake/pond behind the house. After slipping upstairs and saying our goodbyes to the few who were stirring, we hopped in the truck and hit the road, bound for points west. We didn’t have a destination for the day, just to get through Indiana and Illinois, and at least get partially through Iowa.

Passing back through Bedford, IN, the town was still asleep and the streets were eerily quiet, a great time to hop out and take some photos. After a quick lap around the town hall and several more images on the memory card, we hopped back in the truck. Looking at the map early on, we couldn’t help but notice our proximity to Indianapolis, home of the Brickyard, and so we had our first detour.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway has quite a bit of history behind it. Dating back to 1911 or so, it has hosted races boasting some of the greatest names in motorsports history. We had attempted a visit on last years trip, but due to an event that was going on, didn’t get to go to the museum and had to settle for a photo outside the gate. This time, however, we would not be denied entry onto this hallowed ground.

Following the museum entrance signs you descend into a set of 4 tunnels taking you under turns 1 & 2 and coming up into the infield of the track. We opted to take the track tour, which came complete with a colorful old guide/bus driver, who apparently thought the pre-recorded CD was a bit inadequate. We even got to stop at the start/finish line where a sample of the original brick racing surface resides. Several tourists (as well as many of the racers) take a moment to “kiss the bricks.” The racers do it for luck, the tourists, well….

The museum itself, though not a large building, housed several pieces of racing history. From the hall of fame to previous winning cars to a sampling of early 20^th century cars and motorcycles, it was all displayed nicely (despite the cruddy fluorescent lighting that cast an ugly glare on any reflective surface…). We could’ve spent hours in there, but in the interest of time we decided to get back on the road.

The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. While in Indianapolis we got to see the newly built Lucas Stadium for the Colts, but as we left the city, we left virtually everything that may have been remotely worth looking at, for many hours to come. Entering Iowa we crossed the mighty Mississippi, and passed by the “Worlds Largest Truckstop” (though I don’t buy it….) on our way to our campsite in Des Moines.

-Carl (because some people don’t believe I actually write some of these entries….)