I picked out a few photos that I felt were representative of our trip last week. It was a wonderful trip, despite forgetting our suitcase. We took a few wrong turns and drove backroads and countryside the whole way up.  The town we stopped in for lunch was so little that we had to try three places until we found one that would accept credit cards. Normally, I fall asleep as soon as we hit the highway (when Thomas is driving), but this time, I was awake the whole time, as we listened to podcasts and reminisced about living in Bloomington. I loved the greens and yellows and purples along the road.

The first night in town, we met up with one of my old classmates, Meow Kiat. She greeted us with open arms and we headed to Shanti for dinner. It’sthe only place I’ve been able to find Indian Butter Chicken - yum, it is so delicious. Afterward, we made a quick trip to the mall for some new clothes, and then headed back to Meow Kiat’s place where we sat around and caught up on each other’s lives.

The next day, we visited Thomas’ old coworkers and wandered Kirkwood Street - Indiana University’s main drag. I visited the county library where my only geocache is hidden. It still seems to be going strong and it was great to read the messages in the log book.  The code is GCM140 for those geocachers out there that want to give it a try.

It was pouring cats and dogs, but Thomas’ coworkers joined us at Kilroys, for pizza sticks, which Thomas has been craving for two years. They’re like breadsticks but with sauce and pepperoni wrapped inside, and you dip them in melted cheese.  We then ran a few errands and the stopped by Chow Bar for bubble tea. Trips to Bloomington just seem to become food tours of the things we miss.  I haven’t been able to find this juice style down in Atlanta.

Friday evening and most of Saturday was taken up by Dave and Marcia’s Rehearsal Dinner and Wedding.  Those nights, we stayed with Mel, and got a few hours to catch up. Saturday morning, we went out to breakfast together at the Scholar’s Inn Bakehouse and Saturday evening, we made a late night walk to McDonalds for a snack before settleing down to watch Saturday Night Live. I miss doing things like that with Mel - just hanging out, going out impromptu, and walking places.

Sunday morning we got up early to stop at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge to do some birding on the way home. We still have to go through those photos.  We spent a couple of hours there, until Ike headed in and trees started falling over. We had a rough ride home through the storm, but we made it. It was a great trip, and I agree with Thomas’ old boss - we’ll be back there someday. I’m sure it won’t be until much later in life, but we we still love that little town.