2015 Ferdinand, Indiana

This year was Jay's turn to pick. Now the last time Jay picked it was an utter disaster. (Click here to relive it) In a nutshell he went with a Christmas themed pick, and we were all sold a wrong bill of goods. Not to be dismayed, Jay stuck to his guns and chose another Christmas themed trip. We're going to the "10th Ranked Festival in the State." We're going to the Christkindlmarkt in Ferdinand, Indiana. Now I don't know shit about Ferdinand only that it's in southern Indiana. This is going to be an adventure.

The boys met on the north side of Indianapolis and came down to pick me up at my house. Already, this is my favorite trip. We travel south of Bloomington and past Jasper into Ferdinand. If you haven't traveled through the heart of southern Indiana, I highly recommend it. It's beautiful countryside. OK, back to the trip. As we pull into town we start seeing signs celebrating the event but we really don't see signs pointing us in any direction. We a see a giant monastery high on the hill, and I say, "Let's go see what that's all about."

We blindly drive our way to the monastery until we find a parking spot right next to it. Now unbeknownst to us, we have found a perfect parking spot in the heart of the event. This place is packed, and they're busing people in from other parking lots further out!

Now getting into the monastery is not easy. We stumble around looking for a way in to no success until we find what appears to be a cafeteria worker dumping trash. She informs us we have to go all the way to the front. BTW, it's raining so I was ready to be inside. We come around to the front and the view is beautiful. There really is no other hill as high in the area. (see photos below) The name of the monastery is the Sisters of Benedict Convent and Monastery.

We learn there is a tour so we sign up to take it. What else are we gonna do? The tour begins and they show us the chapel, and then a room where the nuns hang out and watch TV. These poor nuns are still watching on a rear projection CRT TV. They are living a life of poverty! We then go into a room where there is a scale model of the monastery and the tour is over. My that was quick. This is a really large place with multiple buildings and we only see three rooms. Oh well. They mention there is a brewery down the hill. Let's go there.

We leave the monastery head down the hill to the brewery where they make their own beer. It's crowded down here and I decide to buy a growler. The growlers are only 32 ounces and they charge $12. This seems like a holy scam! Then my brothers remind me I'm supporting the nuns. Then I think that my over priced beer might someday get them a flatscreen TV for those poor ladies.

With beer in hand we move on to the gymnasium next door that has been overtaken by locals selling their wares. Rob gets lured to the spice booth and buys some rubs. Tom buys some of the local wines. Jay and I buy some local snacks. While Rob is distracted by a booth where they use old typewriter pads as cufflinks, Tom and I go into the official gift shop of the monastery. Tom and I both decide we are not little old ladies and therefore there is nothing here for us. On to the next stop.

We take a short walk over to Forest Park High School which is a couple of blocks from the monastery. OK, now I'm at my threshold. I can only walk by so many booths where people are selling  handmade bows, wood carvings, and baskets. You've seen one crafts fair you've seen them all. I'm now officially done, and so are my brothers. The only thing that's awesome about this stop is the gymnasium itself. It's old school cool.

We decide to call it a day and head out of town. On our way out Jay and Tom stop to buy candy from an Amish stand. I refuse to support the Amish and their pretentious ways. Oh sure they're too good for our modern technology and life's conveniences. Whatever! I consider the Amish to be the original hipsters. They're not getting a dime from me.

We declare this trip to be another bust for Jay, but hey it's the trip not the destination. We pile in the car and head for Jasper to dine at the renowned local German restaurant, Schnitzelbank. The food was wonderful and the highlight of my trip. They had spatzel and I love spatial.

After our meals, we get back into the car again and head home after the trip. It rained most of the day and Ferdinand was not quaint but disappointing, but we had a good time. I can't wait until next year. It's Tom's turn. Maybe he'll find a Thanksgiving festival? Or not.

2014 Louisville, Kentucky

Last year we loved going to Kentucky so much we decided to go back again. Well, we didn't decide. Rob decided because it was his turn to pick. Rob actually announced as we drove past Louisville last year that we would be back. Instead of just hitting one place, Rob wanted to hit Kentucky Derby Museum and the Louisville Slugger Museum in the same day.

The day began just like last year. Deja vu you say? No just a little redundancy. Anyway, Jay, Rob and Tom met in Indy and then they met me in Edinburgh, Indiana outlet malls. Good deals. I highly recommend it. Now, I am not a punctual fella by any means, but these guys were 30 minutes late. Just plain rude. I get in the car and off we go to Louisville...again.

We arrived at Churchill downs and much to my surprise there was horse racing that day even though it was November. We walk into the museum and let me tell you it is nicely done. Just look at the pictures below. It's gives you the history race, an understanding of what it takes to have a winning horse, and the splendor of the day. It's interactive and educational. But at the end of the day, you're either a horse person or you're not. I am not a horse person and was done with the museum in 30 minutes. My brother, Rob, is a horse person and ate up the whole experience. I believe Tom and Jay are in the middle.

We exited through the gift shop, I bought some mint julep syrup, and we were off to the Louisville Slugger Museum.

Louisville Slugger museum is located downtown two blocks from the river. Downtown Louisville is nice but the street plan is not very well laid out. Fortunately we accidentally fell into a parking spot across the street from the museum/factory. Rockstar Parking! You can't go into the museum without stopping for a picture with the giant 5 story hight bat outside. Honestly, I dare you!

The place is very nice. We buy our tickets and we go into the museum and wait for our factory tour. The museum was just a room. Just a bunch of bats and some mannequins of former players. Again, see pictures below. Then the tour was called and we got in line to begin.

The tour is actually interesting. You get to see how the bats were made in the very beginning and how they are made today. It's a small factory that fits into the small building. An interesting fact we learned is the workers as a part of their union agreement come in and perform their jobs, not actually do, on the weekends for the tour. I'm glad they do. The tour ended and our guide was very generous with his time. Everyone else was gone and we peppered him with questions for another 10 to 15 minutes. Again, we exited through the gift shop.

We left and went over to Bellerman University and visited Jay's daughter. She recommended we go to  Mark's Feed Store for BBQ. There are several and we went to the nearest one. The service was good and patient. Our waitress put up with our BS and the food was good. We all bought BBQ bottles, so that says something about their sauce.

After dinner, we piled into a car and headed back home. As always it was a good time. Looking forward to next year. It's Jay's turn to choose. We will keep you posted on the next choice. Stay tuned.