I have always been a sleeper of legendary talent. I would go to bed, place my head upon the pillow, fall asleep moments later, and sleep until I would awaken eight or nine or ten hours later, more out of guilt than wakefulness. I have often said that I wouldn't mind dying if there could be a clock somewhere on the inside of my coffin that I could check periodically with the welcome thought, "I don't have to get up yet!"
This has changed since I moved to Indiana. For the first time in my life, I am having trouble sleeping. I wake in the middle of the night, obsessed with Indiana, all the Indiana places I want to see, all the Indiana adventures that yet await me. I have several guidebooks that I read before going to sleep at night, which doesn't help: My Indiana: 101 Places to See (I want to see them all!) - Scenic Driving Indiana (I want to drive all of it!). My friend Keith loaned me an Indiana guidebook published in the 1940s, written by FDR's Public Works Administration: delicious!
I was relieved two weekends ago to visit New Harmony and Lincoln's boyhood home with my sister: I could cross off that corner of southern Indiana. But then my friend Linda told me that I hadn't yet seen the West Baden Springs Hotel, dubbed the ninth wonder of the world. How could I have missed it? Now I need to go back to southern Indiana again. And there is so much of the rest of Indiana left to see!
For this weekend, I'm frantically planning outings for both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday: a drive with Nicki to the farmers' market in Bloomington, and then on to scenic Brown County and the historic home of Hoosier Impressionist T.C. Steele. Then on a future trip I'll have to return to that part of the state to visit the town of Columbus, Indiana, ranked the sixth most architecturally significant city in the United States because its public buildings have all been designed by famous architects. Sunday: the world-class Children's Museum in Indianapolis with colleague Rachel.
I need to work today, I really do, but I can't stop peeking in my guidebooks to plan my route for Saturday so I don't miss any other wonders of the world along the way. And I have a feeling that tonight may find me awake at 3 a.m., thinking: artists' colonies in Brown County? Brown County State Park? Little shops in Nashville, Indiana?
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If you are going to be in Indianapolis on a Sunday, I recommend worship at Broadway United Methodist Church at 8:30 or 10:45. I listen to their podcast sermons every week. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!
ReplyDeleteThis post made me laugh. I can't imagine being so obsessed with all things Indiana as to lose sleep over it … but this seems to be a good and happy kind of sleeplessness and restlessness. You will end up knowing Indiana far better than any of the natives!
ReplyDeleteThe Children's Museum is a great place to go. When I was little it was always a big treat to get to go there. I would be so excited about it that I would not be able to sleep the night before. I have so many wonderful memories in that place.
ReplyDeleteScott, I will try to go to that church one Sunday during my time in Indiana. Maggie, I love that you have had Indiana Insomnia, too. Mitzi, you are always so kind to comment on my posts. :)
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