Carmel, Indiana
November 2006

The Mayor of Carmel

My Hosts Are: Chuck, Miyuki, Eric & Gunnar S.

Next: Gnome Sweet Hawaii

Ft. Wayne isn't too far from Carmel, Indiana. Carmel is a suburb of Indianapolis.

When we arrived, we were given the key to the city of Carmel, followed by a brief speech by Carmel's current and youngest mayor ever, Gunnar.

When I asked him how it was he had become the youngest mayor ever of Carmel his expression became glazed over with a sort of "You look tasty" expression. Perhaps he ate his competition.

Before I new what was happening, Mayor Gunnar was chewing on my hat. Tiki Jr., unable to protect me, screamed for the mayor's mommy, who promptly came and rescued me.

Fortunately for us, Mayor Gunnar was wisked off to his Gymboree class and our meeting ended. Nice kid as long as he has had a nap.

Mayor Gunnar's pop (not the fellow in the picture above) is a Sgt. Major in the Marine Corps. He took us down to the recruiting office where, in a moment of patriotism, I decided to enlist.

After discussing the many benefits of military life with the recruiter above, he took out a ruler and measured my height. Upon reviewing the enlistment standards he pointed at the guidelines and said, "Sorry Bud, the minimum height for a marine is 12 inches. You have missed it by half an inch."

My delusions of grandeur came to a crashing halt. My dream of holding a sign saying "Welcome to the Marines" was crushed.

In an effort to forget the rejection by the Marine Corp, my chauffer Eric, Tiki Jr. and I went out cruising the strip in Carmel looking for some good ole midwest comfort food.

After getting our fill of meatloaf, mash potatoes and corn we continued our sightseeing around Carmel.

We were fairly confident that the mayor was still at Gymboree and decided it would be safe, for the moment, to visit city hall.

We just made it over to the Monon Greenway while there was still light.

This greenway is 5.2 miles and offers area residents activities such as walking, running, biking, in-line skating, and cross-country skiing.

An excerpt form parks & recreation website states:

In 1853, the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Railroad opened 300 miles of line from Lake Michigan to the Ohio River. a map of the two main lines formed an "X" over the state of Indiana and crossed at the line's namesake city of Monon, Indiana. The word Monon was derived from the Potowatomi Indian word monong, meaning "swift running."

"The Hoosier Line," as it became known, carried troops, ammunition, food, fuel and medicine to Union forces during the Civil War. Throughout its history, the Monon provided continuous service to the Indiana limestone industry. The former Carmel depot on the Monon line is now home to the Carmel Clay Historical Society and Museum.

As we were heading to the car we heard some dogs barking not far away. As the barking got closer we decided it might be safer to get up on higher ground just in case the dogs weren't friendly.

As it turns out they were quite friendly and we all enjoyed a quick game of Fetch the Tiki. Tiki Jr. quite enjoyed this and laughed histerically as if he were being tickled.

After a restful nights sleep we got up and headed over for a quick bath at the local man-made geiser.

After we had bathed we noticed the no swimming no wading sign.

Thanks for a fun visit to your fine city Mayor Gunnar, Sgt. Major Pops, Mommy and my chauffeur Eric S.

Bud & Tiki Jr.

(Photos: Eric S., Miyuki S., Chuck S./ Dialogue: Tony V. & Miyuki S.)