This is a typical Indianna meal that was served to us when we visited different homes - pulled pork with or with out sauce (often bbq sauce) usually served on a hamburger bun. Home made baked beans (below). This meal was usaully served with coleslaw and potato salad.

Being made to feel welcome on Pre-Derby night in Jeffersonville/New Albany

Hatted up, but not frocked up - all ready to attend the Kentucky Derby

Our 'patch' at the Derby - 165,000 people attended. This small area in the background was the only peice of racetrack we could see. It was on the 3rd turn - luckily we also had quite a good view of a large TV monitor!! This was the most awesome experience.

Final team photo - as we all set off  in different directions. This most amazing GSE adventure may have come to an end -  what we gained from it will remain with us forever.

Yet another 'typical' American sized meal - this time a pancake breakfast at Dennys.

Jan met this therapy dog on a vocaqtional visit- he attends school every day - in a class of 3 year old pre-school children with special needs!!

Travelling to a vocational visit in style for Jan - a 1937 Ford!

The beautiful Indiana University Campus at Bloomington

One of 25 'Brain' works of art situated all over Bloomington - organisations and individuals couls purchase a Brain and create their own theme.

Lying around on the IU Football stadium

IU Football stadium would rival most of our major football venues in Australia yet it is for collegiate (University) football competition only and this is a small one by American standards.

Vincennes from 30 metres up - we are on the fire ladder !!

 CitiRecieving Honorary Citizenship fromm the Mayor of Vincennes.

Rotary Point - on a busy intersection in Vincennes - Rotarians risked their lives to get this photo!!

In and Outbound Teams after giving their Presentations at the District Conference at French Lick Resort - the District Governor announced at  Dinner that night that we "knocked the socks off them!!" So I guess they liked it.

The lobby at the French Lick Resort - venue of the District Conference - very very opulent surroundings.

We are now in Vincennes - a pretty little historic town on the banks of the Wabash River. We were made Honorary Citizens by the Mayor!!!

The Mayor was the Fire Chief before taking on office - so here we are at the fire station about to go up on the ladder tower.

Yep - that's us about 30 metres up! We got a Birdseye view of Vincennes and could see the water Tower of a town in Illinois about 30 kilometers away!! The rest of our team were having fun in Evansville while we were doing this!!!

 The Best Chocolate Brownie Sundae I have ever tasted. Just a little snack for afternoon tea in Columbus!

We spent some time in Henryville who was recently affected by a devastating Tornado. So sad to see the damage done to schools, homes, woods and vehicles. Some homes had only the basement in the ground exposed and semi trailers were squished to nothing like paper. Our thoughts go out to them.

Let's get em girls! An afternoon of fun in the sun. Recreational activities always a hit to break from the hectic schedule. The weather on this day was superb.

Nothing like tree hopping around the woods for the afternoon. Awesome fun and scary at times.

End of another week as we bid farewell. Another great family dinner with many laughs.

Wow, we have reached the halfway mark of our truly amazing Adventure!! As we move on today to another stage of our trip, a huge thanks to the Host Families and those Rotarians who made our week very memorable. We have all accomplished so much personally and professionally. We have met some great people and seen some amazing countryside. Indiana sure is a beautiful place.

Dinner on Roger and Lisa's deck on the banks of the Ohio - beautiful isn't it and the gumbo and corn bread was yummy!!

Check out the Mayor of Jeffersonville's office - the basket ball hoop helps him think things out!!!

Lousiville, Kentucky acroos the river from Jeffersonville.

Beautiful Nashville with it's art galleries and craft shops - we had a lovely day here - thanks to the Rotarians of the Brown County Rotary Club

Getting redy to zip line - Nashville, Indianna

Here we are at the end of our second week - we have had a wonderful, busy week. Once again it will be sad to say goodbye to our host families who have cared for us so well. Thankyou also to Rotary members from Columbus, Jeffersonville, New Albany and Nashville for transporting us to where we needed to be, showing us around your towns and just being so very kind. We are looking forward to catching up again with those of you who are coming to the conference. 

We are in Columbus, Indiana - a beautiful city known world wide for it's fine architecture. This church was bult in the1940's.

The Cummins Engine Plant is huge- amazing assembly belt using people, and robots - engine blocks are passed from station to station on platforms carried by an over head rail system- no lifting is done - majority of people in Columbus would have work related to this organisation. Engines go in Chrysler Pick-Up trucks and dual cabs.  

Our Team outside the Cummins Headquarters in Columbus.

Check this out for a playground - this is out The Commons, Columbus - open for all members of the community to use. The tool structure has a mesh netting around it and is designed so that if a child stumbles they will only go to the next platform. So many playgrounds and gross motor play areas are indoors here.

These are actually bike racks!!

Now I know what it feels like to be flushed down the loo!! This happened at Kidscommons - a centre where children can learn how things work while playing - very hands on - wonderful!!! This is a slide accompanied by toilet flush noise!

Now that's what I call a bubble - at Kidscommon

And to finish off  - icecream sundaes and sodas at a traditional Icecream Parlour with soda streams, barrel organs, marble counters!! Lots of fun.

Arrival at Indianapolis one whole week ago! 

 Presentation of banners at Franklin Rotary Club

Greenwood White River Rotary proudly claim they are the earliest starting Rotary Club - 6.30am!!! And it was a frosty morning!!!





Today is our last day before moving onto Columbus - it has been the most amazing week - we have been treated with kindness and generosity by everyone we have met. Thankyou to all in Area 2 and 6. A special thanks to Greg, Ken and Dennis for such a wonderful program and for getting us to where we needed to be. And to our host families - thankyou so much for making us feel part of your family this week. We have had the very best start imaginable to our exchange experience. 

Love the American Shake! Great pic girlies.

Is that Fries with Bacon and Cheese....Yummo!!

Our very cool Aussie display table with Matilda the Kangaroo and Petey the Platypus!

Oh My... what is this coming up from Underground!! ☺

What an amazing week! We are having the time of our lives. A little overwhelming for all at first, but settling into our groove now in the great USA! Host Families have been a delight and Rotary Clubs of Greenwood, Franklin and Greenwood/White River have been super awesome. Thanks guys for all your support upon our arrival and for providing us with a fantastic week! We will miss you.
Tanya

12/04/12

 Today we visited the State Capitol  - very beautiful building - here we are in the Senate

Check out the $4.95 burger and shake deal from Steak and Shake - this included 2 sides!!!

The team at the Lucas Oil Football Stadium - this is huge. Superbowl was played here this year.

Weather has been beautiful and sunny - just a little cooler than what we are used to  with frosts and minus 2 the last 2 mornings and highs of 14! Is getting warmer tomorrow.

At the Indy 500 Museum. Today we got to ride round the Indy track - even if it was at only  30 miles  per hour - amazing race track - it's huge - must be awesome when it has a capacity audience to watch.But I can honestly say I know what it's like to go through the 4th corner (Ok - it was only at 30 miles per hour - you do the conversion)