Indianapolis, IN

The kind of traveling that we’ve done is fun, interesting, and … grueling. Today we decided to take it easy. And, since we are at Carlos’ we could easily do that. We slept in a little, ate breakfast, and didn’t get out of the house until close to noon. 

Carlos lives about 12 minutes from the Indianapolis Speedway - home of the Indy 500. We decided to go over and take a tour, which didn’t disappoint. They have two tour options, one which takes the tour mini bus on the actual track. Unfortunately, they had Indy Car Experience (one can pay to ride in an Indy-type car) cars on the track today, so we had just one option, but it was very good. And it’s only 15 bucks!





We took a short drive over to the start/finish line area of the track. 



Our guide, Mike, then led our small group through some of the areas like the media room, owners suite, and more. 


Looking down on the track from the owners suite. 




Start/Finish line. 


The flag person perch above the Start/Finish line — which is a replica of the crow’s nest of the USS Indianapolis. 


This is the actual platform — it’s on the second floor, there’s a elevator that moves them up to it — where the winning car and driver are parked for the famous drink of milk and award ceremony. 

Whether one is a racing fan or not it’s a fun and informative tour. Maybe next time we can do do the Indy Car Driving experience — it’s booked weeks in advance. Today they were running on the Grand Prix road course, which is mostly on the infield, but shares the straight-away of the regular oval track. The Grand Prix track goes clockwise — that’s why this car is going the opposite direction of the Indy 500 down the strait away in the video below. 



It was a great tour. Even Kristi was impressed after not being very thrilled about doing it before hand.  

We headed back to the house for a short rest and lunch before heading to the National FFA Center where Carlos works. It’s just four miles away from his house. 



Of course it’s the headquarters of the National FFA Organization. Carlos was still in a meeting when we arrived but their foyer has a nice display of FFA history and memorabilia. 









The National FFA Center moved from Virginia to Indianapolis Indiana in 1999. That’s when Jim was teaching at Reedley High school. Reedley FFA voted to make a small donation to the Center and received a donor brick. 



When Carlos got out of his meeting he gave us a full tour of the Center. 







He also introduced us to Corey Fourney, the Executive in Residence of Belonging and Engagement — he was also the first African American National FFA President back in 1994. 



After a nice day we had Thai take-out. 

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