Thinking about HoosierLand.

I was born in Florida but moved to Indianapolis when I was just a few months old.  Grew up there, Grade Schools, High School, Colleges.  So many people from my past and I’m missing them.  Lots coming up this year in Indianapolis and many people want me to return for special events.  That’s Danny I’m sitting on.  I’ve recently been in touch with his daughter Dana… he and his three brothers are all still in Indianapolis.  His mom and my mom were best friends.  I’ve seen photos… they have grown to be real hulks.  Sure miss Dolly and Harry.

Yes, I’ve always been a tomboy.

I also have three strapping nephews in the Indianapolis area, two in building construction trades and one a manager at a Manards store.  We all had a great time visiting last fall.  Paul and I took an all day motorcycle ride to visit one of his other brothers, Rob. 

Rob and I had such a great time visiting that I had to return to visit more with him and his family.  It rained and he had to pull my van and the trailer out when it was time to leave, with this big farm tractor. 

Then I got to visit with Kris and his hulking tall teen son and Kris’ wife and daughter too.  Daughter was fascinated with my artistic talents and so I spent time with her teaching her a little about how to sketch.  I hadn’t spent any time with these fine men since they were mere boys.  It was neat to me how the family values are passed on down the line.  They didn’t want me to leave.  Even one of the dogs who never made up to me, seemed to be sad when I drove off.

One of the boys(?) and his wife are renewing there marital vows in September and want me to return to Indianapolis for that even.  If I ever ran into trouble in a dark alley, I’d want these boys standing beside me.  It’s nice to have them so concerned about me that they are following my adventures.
Then there is the high school gang… Arsenal Technical High School, class of 1962 (never said I was young).  We are having our 50 Reunion in June 2012.  

Third white gown is me.

Our class was over 570 students… 1/4 of whom are sadly deceased now.  I have been working on locationg all class members for the past five years.  It would be great to see everyone still living, especially all the handsome lettermen from the football and basketball teams (one was my first real crush). 

In my travels, I’ve been able to meet a number of them and we have had great visits.

And I have either corresponded or become Facebook friends with even more of my classmates.

		Classmates I’ve been in touch with. VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Indianapolis is going to be a popping busy place this year.  The SuperBowl is being held there next month,  Feb.5, 2012.  Major improvements have been make to our High School campus which will house the visiting team for practice.  The whole town has had a major facelift this last couple years in preparation.  A new facility has been built on our 76-acre campus… that will be exciting to see.  Just checked the events for SuperBowl 56… and Indy must be popping this week, even more so than for an Indy 500.  It will be a grand year for Indy. 
http://www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/_assets/051810-Grassroots-Grant-Release-WEB.pdf
http://www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/_assets/011212%20CNELC%20Preview%20Media%20Advisory.pdf
In August, there will be a reunion for all classes from the 1960s and also the year 1970… in celebration of the 100th year of the school.  I’m very excited about that event… as more is planned than for our 50th Class reunion in June.  Our class was the 49th class to graduate from the school.  Many of my relatives graduated in earlier classes.
So September will be the starting of the 50th class of the school… and many many big activities are planned on and off campus. 

http://www.athsalumniassociation.org/docs/pdf/TS%20Fall%202011%20Web.pdf
I could go on and on… and it is still up in the air if I will get to attend these events.  There are so many friends and relatives there who have been following my adventures and escapades these past few years who are begging me to come “Back Home Again in Indiana.”  Just saying (and thinking).
( I say I hate Indiana until I write about it… then I get all choked up.  Time to visit?)

Ghost Dancer arrived at the RTR today.

This morning I worked at the Rock Club as Foreman of the Lapidary Shop.  Had free breakfast and lunch at La Mesa RV, then returned to the Rock Club to play this afternoon.  Then headed up the hill to Dome Mountain where the Vandwellers are gathering.  And lo and behold, who shows up, but our very own "vandweller's founding father,” Ghost Dancer.  What a guy!  Folks were surprised and pleased.

Suanne made a wonderful stew for all of us.  The campfire was lovely until some decided to burn up a lot more wood than required.  That always ticks me off... as I think of how many meals I could make on the fuel burned up in one night.  So, I just leave so I don't have to sit around and be angry over the issue.

My friend Liz has folks helping her... by making her a bed for her van.  AstroBri is here.  VJ from VanIncidentals is here.  Lots of new people I haven't met before.  I don't know how many people are here, but I bet there are 30 or more vehicles.

The night is clear and not too cold.  I'll be able to leave my rear door open and watch the stars tonight.  I am hoping to spend more time with those who have come to the RTR, but my volunteer work for the Rock Club and helping to set up and tear down for the annual Pow Wow will have to come first.

One thing for sure that is making me feel great is all the folks that have rallied around me because of the slander a disgruntled vandweller (?) has been putting on the WWW, in spite of the fact I gave him a blanket when he was cold, camped with him the first two weeks he was here so he would not be alone, showed him all around town.  Shared my food with him and even let him sit in my van to eat when it was cold outside... in spite of the cigarette smoke saturating his clothing, and even polished his silver watch band which he almost seemed irritated at me that he had to walk to my van so I could hand it to him.  He didn't even look at it.  And because I told him I wasn't a one-woman welcoming committee for every vandweller who comes to town... he turned on me and began slandering me on the web.  BlogSpot won't do anything about it unless there is a lawsuit, he won't do anything about it though I asked politely four times, so I just have to live with it.   The folks who know me, know he is lying, and even those just meeting me have reassured me that the guy must have a mental problem.  So... trying to ignore it and move on. 

There is lots of fun to be had here and I'm going to just have me a bunch of it.  It doesn't get any better than this until tomorrow.

First Trip to Mexico

The American Flag flies over our border with Mexico. This is the line of people going back to the U.S.A. My first time to Mexico. Uneventful and very safe.

Was in line for maybe 1.5 hrs... and it only takes about 30 seconds to be checked by the guard at the check point in Los Algodones, Baja California, Mexico.

It was a pretty place to wait, shaded, landscaped and benching all along the way. Interesting to watch the little street vendors sneaking into and behind the crowd... so take one last chance to sell you something. Policeman comes, someone shouts a warning from across the street... and they scatter.

The line. Exhaust fumes from cars lined up next to us was really hard on me... and I hadn't thought to bring a mask. 

An interesting day, a $130 crown, and very good to be going "HOME" again.

Espresso Stand in a courtyard by dentists' offices.

The courtyard with fountains and birds flying in and out. Very nice.

Typical street scenes... more Americans and Canadians there then Mexicans. Actually, many of the Mexicans looked more like Columbians.

A lightening fast wire wrapper.... making people's names while they wait. Drew a big crowd.

These two benches were for "shoe shiners." And price "whatever you want to pay!"

An artistic trash can.

Finally got my tooth fixed and got in line to cross back in the good ol' U.S.A. The guard in the street is carrying a gun????

Looking back on the day, I can’t see now why I was so nervous about going to Mexico.  The most concerning thing was the dog packs running the streets (no collars or tags).