Local Tourists

After being "good," and reorganizing our house after Christmas, we decided to play the tourist and take a trek to Columbus, Indiana, just about an hour south of us, to visit the cute and quaint Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor, which is decked out for Christmas every year. The kids ordered their homemade "green river" soda pop. We also refer to it as alien blood. 

Zaharakos has several antique player organs which were belting out joyous Christmas music while we ate. 

Visiting their soda fountain is like taking a step back in time.

Sundaes were a treat and very messy.

 

I loved this "Don't Care" flavor.  Nowadays we have Starbucks; at the turn of the century they had soda fountains.  It was fun to think about this part of long-ago culture.

Across from Zaharakos is an indoor playground (city park).  I think it's brilliant for a city with freezing temps every winter to offer such an amazing and expansive indoor park.  More cities here in the midwest should do this!

We decided to swing by the visitor's center and buy a map to take the architectural tour in Columbus.  Apparently this little town (less than 45,000 population) is number six in the nation for famous architecture.

The first stop was the Irwin-Miller mansion. 

 

Apparently, according to local legend, this is where corn flakes were invented.  Kevin thinks I'm crazy for buying into all this stuff hook, line, and sinker. :)

After our little jaunt to Columbus, we meet Kevin's parents for Christmas at the Zoo.  It was decent weather so half the city was there.  But we love it.  The lights are amazing. 

We enjoyed being tourists for a day!