I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1988. I am a Hoosier through and through, but I’ve lived in Arizona for 20 years now. Indiana is “home” but as of mid 2019 it had been 10 years since I had visited. Needless to say, I was due for a trip back, so I decided June was the perfect time. Not only was I dying to go back home but I was also super stoked to take Wynston to see where I grew up. Our trip was incredible, and I already can’t wait to go back.
Our June 2019 Trip to Indianapolis, IN
We built my childhood home in the early 1990s. Our house was one of the first in the neighborhood, right behind the Garrison family. Chris and Laura Garrison, along with their three young boys, would end up being our lifelong friends. They have always been my second set of parents, and they helped make my childhood absolutely memorable. Whenever I visit Indiana I stay with Chris and Laura. They still live in the same house all these years later, so I get to stay in my backyard when I go home. It’s always a surreal experience.
It was important for me to take Wynston to my childhood home in Indiana because it was in that house where I had the most incredible upbringing. That house will always be near and dear to my heart. The fact that I get to enjoy the site of it when I stay with the Garrisons is so priceless.
I imagine bringing Wynston to my childhood home is similar to when human parents take their kids to do the same. Wynston peed on trees that I helped plant…but now they are 30 feet tall. It’s really freaking cool.
Wynston and I spent a majority of our trip outside. It rained half the time we were there, which we loved! The cooler temperatures and humidity were a welcome change from the miserable desert heat. All of the time we spent relaxing at the Garrison house was time spent on the screened-in patio. It was perfect. I even got to catch lightning bugs!
We spent one day exploring Downtown Indianapolis with Chris and Laura. It was a fairly toasty day, but I’m so glad we got to see how the downtown area has grown. I was happy to see all of the dog-friendly restaurants. We ate at Champs, where they gave Wynston his own seat with fresh water and a plate to share my French dip sandwich ๐ Talk about service!
I also got to spend time with my dear friend Christina. Christina and I met through the pet blogging community years ago, and she lives just miles from where I was staying in Indy. We went to lunch at my favorite restaurant of all time, Puccini’s, and got ice cream from Crave Ice Cream Social. They even had pup cups, which Wynston thoroughly appreciated. I was able to meet both of Christina’s dogs, Nike and Georgie, which was super exciting! Check out her blog The Everyday Dog Mom here!
Christina also took me to Geist Reservoir, which is the host of endless memories for me. We found a beautiful neighborhood, where we put on our adventure hats and made our way to someone’s private dock. You know me – I’m so rebellious ๐ We just wanted a couple of photos! They turned out cute, right?!
The last night we were in town, Chris and Laura took me for wine tasting at Cooper’s Hawk. That was my first wine tasting ever and it was so much fun! I devoured filet mignon for dinner, as I enjoyed a delicious prosecco. It was a wonderful way to end the trip.
I really could have used at least one more day in Indiana to relax and do nothing. I plan to go back with Wynston in the fall, so I’ll stay a little longer then. Our entire trip was super fantastic. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Even after being gone for 10 years it felt like I had never left.
Indiana, I love you. My son loved you. In fact, we love you so much that it’s on my list of potential places to move next year… ๐
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speedyrabbit says
Coming home is always a special time,thanks for sharing it with us,xx Speedy and Rachel