Cherie and I just got back from what really was just an amazing week long trip with friends, family, and those people that seem to blur the line between the two. We flew into Indianapolis Tuesday night, to be picked up by Justin, and were taken down to stay at their house until after the wedding on Saturday.
Just gonna brag here a little bit, but Kathryn and Justin met a few years ago after I suggested to Kathryn that she should buy a Jeep to make friends, and maybe meet someone special, in her new home of Indiana. Shortly afterwards she met Justin, and she bought her first Jeep, and the adventure hasn’t slowed down since. Cherie and I even got to be a part of their engagement which, thanks to Justin’s great taste, happened on an off roading trip to Windrock Park in Tennessee last spring.
Fast forward to this week in July and Cherie and I were excited to head into town a few days before the big event to participate in celebratory activities throughout the week as well as help with all the last minute prep that inevitably needs to get done. They even set us up in what is functionally a 1 bedroom apartment in their massive garage, complete with our own full bath and kitchen. Kathryn and Justin, you couldn’t be better hosts!
Wednesday
Wednesday morning we woke up early to hit the road. Cherie and Kathryn would spend the day running errands like buying 3 shopping carts of drinks at Sam’s for the reception, doing a small dump run and run to Goodwill, and of course grabbing lunch out together. Justin and I were headed to Badlands Off Road Park in Attica, IN. As if that wasn’t enough I got my own F-350 and trailered Jeep for the day (Kathryn and Justin’s LJ) while Justin and their friend Tim, who rode shotgun, lead in their friend Craig’s F-350 and trailered JK on brand spanking new 37’s.
After arriving at the park, paying admission, getting a t-shirt (I had to!), unloading and airing down Jeeps, and a whole string of introductions, we were off. I didn’t get stuck for about 3 minutes… My only major hangup came shortly after we left the parking lot. The Jeep, which obviously isn’t mine and so I was still feeling it out, did not handle a deep hole in the middle of the trail as I had anticipated it would. I got the Jeep into a position where any forward or reverse movement was likely to flop it on its side… Oops! Oh, did I mention the bride and groom-to-be wanted to have this Jeep in driving condition for their celebrations on Saturday?! Luckily after a few photos to capture the moment some of the gang hopped on the back bumper shifting my net center of gravity enough to let me back out of the hole, with a liberal application of throttle, all on my own.
The park was really a neat off roading playground. Lots of the trails snaked through the trees with the majority of the obstacles being earthen and dirt in nature. The trails were very tight, I was glad I didn’t have my Xterra. But I was surprised that we did find some big rocks at various points throughout the day, as well as what are basically sand dunes, in the middle of Indiana! The large sandy areas were a big shock to me, but we had fun in them just like any other obstacle we came upon. Justin also led us down a trail where you basically are driving up a stream, and eventually through some drainage pipes big enough to fit a Jeep, and then even under a bridge at the end. That was a trail that was pretty cool!
For a late lunch we opted to head into Attica and went to Robie’s Restaurant & Bar which was great, and clearly recently renovated. Since it was such a late lunch we only got a little more wheeling in after lunch before having to call it a day. The highlight of the after lunch trail rides for me was the trails where they had clearly just backed a concrete truck up to a hill and emptied the truck. This created a very high traction fake “rock” hill that was very amorphous, and fun to drive on! Badlands is alright!
Thanks Aaron, Jordan and Jackie for putting up with me for the day and showing me Badlands Park! I was happy to return the Jeep and truck in working and driving condition as we got back to the house Wednesday night. Whew! We all went to bed a little earlier Wednesday.
Our Route
Profile
Thursday
Thursday was Bachelorette Party Day! Cherie had taken charge of planning and organizing a Bachelorette Party for Kathryn, with guests meeting the group in Indiana for the day, and even including a few guys in the activities as well. The group consisted of Kathryn and Justin, Cherie and I, Jon (from Maryland), and Ashley and Michael (from Nevada). Our first stop, together as a group, was lunch and wine tasting at Tastings, a tapas and wine tasting experience. They had tons of wines and you could try or get a full glass with a little debt card they gave you. The food wasn’t bad either.
After wine and tapas the group split up. Girls went to Penn & Beech Candle Co. to make their own custom candles with scents of their choosing. The guys went to play a round of Duck Pin bowling at one of the few places in the US that still offers this unique form of bowling from back in the day.
Next we came back together as a group for a 2 hour session at Bad Axe Throwing. We had a whole room to ourselves which included 2 lanes, an instructor, and a bunch of sharp throwing implements. Max, our instructor and bartender, taught us all how to throw the hatches and once we all had it down we played a game like 21. Apparently Michael used to do this competitively in college which was news to his wife…. Anyways, then we learned an underhand throw, and played another game. Finally we learned how to throw two at the same time, and a third game to round out the day. Since we still had some time on the clock most of us also tried throwing a full sized axe which as you can imagine was more difficult. The only person to be injured was the groom-to-be, but he survived, although with less blood, but he limped on.
Our last stop for the evening would be Fogo de Chãu, a brazilian steakhouse. All I’ll say is that anytime you can go to a place where they walk around with swords of meat for you to enjoy it’s hard to have a bad time. Jackie joined us for dinner and the whole group had a great time. I even got 2 desserts.
We returned to the house late to find that Kathryn’s parents, Linda and Allen, had made it in, as well as their future daughter-in-law Karly. We all went to bed late because, you know, we couldn’t stop talking and catching up!
Friday
Our last day of prep. I have to say, Kathryn is so organized, and had sent everyone an itinerary a week earlier telling them what they were responsible for or were to be attending, complete with addresses and which car they should use, for the whole week. This really came into play Friday as we all went different directions to handle various aspects of the prep. Jon brought Cameron up from the airport in Louisville and Cindy made her first appearance. The wedding party was all there! There was setting up at the venue, a rehearsal at the church, and a great rehearsal dinner professionally prepared back at the house that evening. The highlight for me was when Jon, Karly, and I dutifully retrieved the wedding cake and cupcakes from a nearby vendor and successfully got them to the reception venue without too much incident! Kathryn was a very organized bride-to-be and the day went very smoothly.
Saturday
Showtime! The bridal party headed out early to get their nails and hair did. Allen, Cameron, Karly, and myself headed out just before lunch, grabbed pizza on the way, and headed to the reception venue for last minute prep. After pizza Allen and Cameron headed out and Karly and I setup the wedding cakes. Whew, success. After another quick errand we made it to the church without incident! I delivered the rings and marriage certificate, my 2nd major task for the day complete!
Fast forward to the ceremony. It went great and was really special to see these two tie the knot. After a short service (maybe still too long for the young ring bearer) we were off to the reception. The reception was great, with a pile of Jeeps present, and the best photos I suspect will be the ones with Kathryn and Justin on the hood of their Jeep. The reception was perfect for these two, with all the dancing Kathryn wanted and the great family and friends from all over. For anyone that hasn’t seen it yet, Cherie can and will dance, I have the proof!
Sunday
Sunday morning, which came way too quickly, they opened their doors to family and friends before they headed back home. My folks, who had come in for the wedding, swung by for a bit to visit. My dad took the time to sneak some aerial pics and videos for Kathryn and Justin, and would give it to them along with shots he’d captured at the church and reception venue the day before. Eventually it was time to go though and so they took us to the airport for our flight home. My parents stayed in the area for another night before heading off on another road trip. At the airport Cherie and I stopped at Harry & Izzy’s for lunch, which if you’re in the airport you should try, and got what turned out to be a spectacular appetizer of spicy meatballs! The main highlight of my trip! (j/k)
It was great seeing everyone that we haven’t seen in a while, great meeting new friends, and more than anything, it was so special to see Kathryn and Justin tie the knot. Cherie and I couldn’t be happier for you two. Congratulations!!
Thanks to the following folks for helping to take pics and video featured in this write-up! Jon Hopkins, Cherie Taylor, Kathryn Taylor, Ashley Laca, Aaron Snoeberger, Karly Lawler, Bob Taylor, and Meier Photography.
