Unexpected finds

Chrysa and I had another really great weekend!

Sometimes it’s really hard to force yourself out of bed early on a Saturday morning. However, when you do it, it’s often worthwhile. This Saturday was proof of that. The alarm clock rang at around 7am and we managed to force ourselves out the door at about 7:45. The reason for getting up way too early on a hot Saturday morning was a date with the Wabash River Runners Club.

When we arrived at Panera we were greeted by very friendly faces. The gang explained the route and we were off. The run was hot, but the companionship kept the heat in the back of our minds. While I was running with the lead group, I got some excellent hints for places to eat, and things to do. These tips ended up coming in very handy for the rest of the weekend.

The Wabash River Runners are a great group of folks. They made us feel very welcome.  I’m amazed by how busy their guys are, they arrange local races weekly, as well as training runs. Chrysa and I missed running with a group, so it will be great to get back in the swing of things. In fact we are already signed up for the 8K race they are hosting this Wednesday.

After all that healthy running stuff it was time to find some food. While running I was told to check out DT Kirby’s. Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint. DT Kirby’s is proudly a dive bar (you have to check out the website here). We got there in time for a late lunch. The crowd was pretty big, because of the World Cup match, so Chrysa and I sat at the bar. We were greeted by the owner and then we placed our order. Both of us got local beer from Peoples Brewery and burgers. The beer was great and the burgers were out of this world. I got the Sweat It Out burger and it was awesome. It was loaded with hot peppers, pepper jack cheese and a spicy rub. Needless to say a second beer was needed. Chrysa got a BBQ bacon cheeseburger that had awesome BBQ sauce on it.

We needed to walk off lunch, so we hit the streets to do some exploring. While out and about we ducked in to a local candy shop called Kathy’s Kandies to pick up some snacks. We asked the server for some advice on events to see in town and he insisted that we check out the Indiana Fiddlers Gathering. This sort of thing isn’t usually our scene, but the guy was so enthusiastic and insistent, that we gave in and told him we would go.

The Indiana Fiddlers Gathering is an event that is held in the town of Battle Ground every year. Based on the crowd, it’s a really big deal. Chrysa and I got there between the afternoon session and the evening session. There was still plenty to see and do even though no bands were playing. Chrysa checked out the vendor booths and we both enjoyed watching people learn to square dance. I was having flash backs to the dance unit in gym class at Willow Ridge Elementary. I asked Chrysa to dance, but she said “no way!”

 

Click here to see the square dance.

The headliner of the show was an Irish band called Solas. They were absolutely amazing! The crowd was really into them. From what I understand the festival organizers have been trying to get them for years, and I can see why. Take a look at the attached video, you will love them too!

Solas Irish

We decided to take it a little easy on Sunday. Chrysa’s work friend recommended Chumley’s in downtown Lafayette. The bar was really nice and the food was good. I had a french dip and Chrysa got the chicken wings she had been craving. We had a nice time but I think we were a little spoiled by DT Kirby’s.

After eating we wandered over the bridge to West Lafayette to burn off lunch. Chrysa has been looking for “hippie clothes” and we figured that the college town would have what she was looking for. We were right, we stumbled upon Von’s. Von’s is a really weird store, and I can’t really describe it, but it had what Chrysa was looking for, and that’s all that mattered to me.

Shopping wears me out so we headed back home and cocooned in the apartment for a little movie watching. Sunday’s movie choice…Real Steel! If you want to see robots punching each other in the face then this is the choice for you.  The movie is basically Rocky, but with robots.  It’s horribly addicting.

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