Keystone Fashion Mall- Indianapolis Indiana area

I just mention the cool Santa that I love at the Keystone Fashion Mall, I thought I should mention the mall itself.

This is just a cool, classy and clean mall.  This is the kind of mall my wife likes to shop at, and I don't mind going with her.  The stores are upscale (Coach, Crate and Barrel, Urban Outfitters, etc.) but the vibe is casual.  You might pay a little more for what you get here, but you will likely find some nicer things.

The place has one of the coolest artsy type movie theaters I know of, The Keystone Art Cinema.  This very cozy spot shows some of the popular movies, and some of the lesser known, more independent type films.

Another thing I like about the Keystone Mall, is that it is a great shopping local in general.  There are other nice stores around it.  For example, there is a HUGE Barnes and Nobles walking distance from the mall.  Not too far away, there is also a nice Half Price Books!

I don't want to go on and on about a mall, but I really love this one.  We usually do much of our Christmas shopping here each year.

Check it out!

Santa Claus at the Keystone Fashion Mall Indianapolis

I do have a favorite Mall Santa!  The Santa at the Keystone Fashion Mall in Indianapolis is my favorite!

This is one of those odd traditions that I really didn't even realize I had going until this year.  Almost every year since 2008, we have made a trip to the mall during the Christmas season.  Without thinking about it, I always took a moment to snap a quick photo of Santa while there, always from the same angle!

From top to bottom-Santa's area in 2008 (he had stepped away when I took the photo, and I forgot to get his photo later), 2009 (getting his photo taken with a young man), 2010, 2011 (standing and waving at me), 2012 (setting and waving), and 2014.  We did not stop by in 2013.

This is probably one of the classiest malls around, with a very cool and upscale vibe.  Their Santa is cool, and the mall is always decorated for Christmas.

Road to Indianapolis

This weekend we drove to Indianapolis for our annual "Before Christmas" trip. 

In the early 2000s we started going to Indy in November or December just for the heck of it.  Actually, I think there was a reason, but I don't remember it now.  Anyway, there was a year or two when we stopped going and then we remembered how festive the town is for Christmas, and decided that we had to go at some point each holiday season.

I have covered our winter trips to Indianapolis here, here, here, here, and probably a few other places.  So you can see that I really love this town, especially at Christmas.

This year we made it up for a very edited day trip instead of our usual weekend or longer stay.  That was OK, but we missed some of our favorite stops.

AND, there was a strange snow that affected road conditions!  We saw over half a dozen accidents between Louisville and Indianapolis.  It was a bit scary!  AND, Indianapolis had some other traffic issues that slowed things down!

Still, we were happy to be able to stop at a few places and enjoy what we could.

Oakwood Motor Court, Princeton, WV.

Oakwood Motor Court- This is an older one.  On the back it mentions that it was recommended by Duncan Hines.  Anyone know if it is still there?

New River Canyon from Grandview, West Virginia

This postcard was sent from Huntington in 1952.

The back note-

New River Canyon near Grandview showing a breath-taking view and a wonderful panorama of the rushing streams and wooded hills.  On Route US 19, 21 and W. Va. 3.

Random Photos around the Marshall University West Virginia Campus

Hillbilly Hotdogs- Huntington WV

I know, I have posted A LOT about Hillbilly Hot Dogs, like here, and here, but not too long ago, I was able to stop by the Huntington location.

For the longest time, I was calling the original location the Huntington location, but that one is actually the Lesage site.

Anyway, we stopped by the one right around the Marshall Campus.  We actually went past the original site, which had a HUGE line out the door.  I am glad to see that business is good for them though!


The food at the Huntington site was just as good as at the original.  The décor is not as crazy as at the original site, but it is still WAY over the top!

My partners in crime, Brent and El Roy accompanied me on this trip.  If you ever attended an Owensboro Rage game, you might remember Brent as their witty on field announcer.  Anyway, Brent ate a slightly modified version of the "HOMEWRECKER", which is their MASSIVE HUGE dog.  Since Brent modified it, he was not eligible to take the Homewrecker Challenge, but I am pretty sure he could do it if he wanted.  Check out the before and after photos!

I absolutely love Hillbilly Hot Dogs, and wished that would branch out more!  It is so much fun just checkout things out, PLUS the dogs are amazing!  These guys haven't compromised the quality of their food since becoming legendary.

Custer State Park, Black Hills, SD

Horse Shoe Curve on the Needles Highway, Custer State Park, Black Hills, SD

The House of the Seven Gables, Salem Mass.

This postcard is undated and unused.  The House of the Seven Gables is in one of my personal favorite towns, Salem.

Sunset on Kentucky Lake

This is another old, unused postcard with amazing colors, showing Kentucky Lake.