Thumbs up: Indianapolis.

Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station on a Saturday night, the usual bustle gone. The World War I memorial. RL Fifield.

Thumbs down: US Airways (I should have known better). The airplane from Indianapolis operated by Air Wisconsin was probably refurbished last in 1983 (the flight attendant was old school and friendly though). Three hour layover in Philadelphia coming home. Kudos to Philadelphia Airport being well connected to train service. I ditched my connection, took SEPTA to 30th Street Station, and caught an Amtrak train. I was home an hour earlier. Just another indication of the faltering ability of airlines to move us about the country. I’d rather take the train.

I’m sure it’s a different story in the winter, but Indianapolis in May was pleasant. Sure, the local department store went under and now the building is occupied by TJ Maxx. A large Mall structure snakes through the downtown, sucking people off the streets. No matter, street life was prevalent. I had dinner with Ms. I at Cerulean in the Alexander Hotel. Ms. T joined us and we sat in their lovely bar on an outside elevated deck in the summer evening breeze.

A few very random shots from Indy. I did spend most of my time in my conference.

Old Trails Building. Indianapolis. 2013. RL Fifield.

Creepy pope head in an Italian restaurant at the end of the night. Indianapolis. Photo: RL Fifield.

A gorgeous evening and having a balcony all to myself at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, during the American Institute for Conservation’s Annual Meeting opening reception. It’s good to have a little space to break up the being “on.” RL Fifield.

I can’t help but think of historic site signs standing in front of parking garages as apologies. “Whoops, we goofed. Here’s another parking garage.” Indianapolis. RL Fifield.