An Amazing Find in Indianapolis

 

After a splendid day in Grand Haven, we left Lake Michigan behind and headed south to Indianapolis to visit George’s cousin Joe. Our campground was on the south side, so we stopped at a Walmart to meet and visit with Joe on the way in.

         

To our surprise we discovered that Indianapolis has an “urban state park” called White River State Park. It is located on the White River in the heart of downtown and has a zoo, two museums, and a military park. Possibly the most unusual and pleasing aspect of the park is the Indiana Central Canal. Work on the canal started in 1836 during the country’s canal building craze. It was intended to go all the way to Evansville where it would connect to the Ohio river, but the panic of 1837 caused it to go bust. Nonetheless, Indianapolis has done a wonderful job of incorporating it into an amazing urban landscape and state park. We had a fabulous day there riding the trails and visiting a museum.

We parked at the zoo and rode across the White River bridge.

        

We get our first look at the Indiana Central Canal. We will ride the trail along the river first, and then ride the canal.

         

From the zoo we rode about three miles to 16th street. Below we crossed Fall Creek in order to continue north along the White River.

                             

         

         

         

Here is the marvelous Indiana Central Canal that we will ride next.

         

We had lunch at the café in the Indiana History Center which is right on the canal.

         

After lunch we rode north along the canal to its terminus near the Indiana University School of Medicine.

         

         

         

         

On our return we were intrigued by this steam clock, one of a very few around the world. This one was built by Canadian horologist Raymond Saunders. It was quite loud when it sounded on the hour.

         

         

We hopped off our bikes at the Eiteljorg Museum that specializes in Native American and western art.

         

Nearly done for the day, we discovered that back on the other side of the White River there is a very nice trail with a good view of the city.

         

Here we see the huge Marriott hotel downtown.

         

A great day in amazing Indianapolis!