Road Trip Report: Part 1

I actually made it out of bed at 2AM on Wednesday, and got out of the house at 3AM. Much, much driving, during which I began compiling the imaginary soundtrack for my book... though due to my lack of musical range, this consists solely of songs by Reckless Kelly, Carbon Leaf, and (of course) Cross Canadian Ragweed. This started when I was listening to Carbon Leaf's "Life Less Ordinary" and realized it is totally Seth's song to Abby. Brilliance.

Eleven hours later I pulled into the parking lot at the Wayne branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. I worked for I-MCPL for 7 years, and two of my friends now work at that branch. I figured at least one of them was probably working, and I also wanted to check my email for the ticket confirmation number I had forgotten to bring.

I was in luck, because Jen and Angie were both working... and another friend, Willie, happened to be there with her granddaughter. I was so excited to see them again! It's been a few years since my last visit. I also got to show them the copy of my manuscript... as book people, they were sufficiently appreciative.

Turns out, I had two hours to kill at the library, because Tom's flight from Chicago had to turn back (landing gear issues), and it took a while to find them another plane on which all the gear was functional. We appreciate their diligence.

At long, long last, he got to the Indianapolis airport, and I picked him up. An hour and a half later we were checking in at the worlds most charming, funky, perfect little inn. New favorite place in the world: The Walnut Street Inn, in Bloomington, Indiana.

(The three windows to the left of the corner and the four to the right - second floor, of course - were our room.)

It has only a handful of rooms and is located above a vegetarian restaurant. We stayed in the Walnut Room (but it's listed as the Brick Room on the website), which is on the corner. From my bed, I could see the sidewalk outside the club where the band's bus would be parked.

Awesome.

I loved the exposed brick, the original old hardwood floors, the high ceilings... and the location.

Bloomington is a college town, very progressive and trendy. The street went pretty much like this: Inn, bar, restaurant, bar, tattoo shop, bar, nightclub, barber, bar, restaurant, bar, bar. I'm not usually much of a people-watcher, but watching the evening bar-crawl was fun.

We went to the Bluebird that night, to check it out before Thursday's concert. And what a great little club. It's deep and narrow, and clear in the back is the sunken area for shows, with the tiny stage tucked in the corner. I got my spot all picked out.

End of Part 1. Coming up next, Thursday's sightings and concert experience. There are injuries.