Wednesday 21 May 2025
The warm weather left St Louis overnight and we had a day cool enough for jeans and a hoodie. The changing weather on this trip is unlike anything else I can remember over here.
After breakfast, we left St Louis, but not before a stop at the iconic Gateway Arch on the banks of the Mississippi River, which is the border between Missouri and Illinois. Hard to believe this city was the third-busiest port in America between 1830 and 1850. The Civil War put an end do that. Though cool, conditions today were perfect for taking photos.
The drive between St Louis and Indianapolis was mostly on the on the same highway. The closer we got to Indy, the more clouds there were, and we were welcomed into the city by a bit of drizzly rain.
Weather – specifically for the weekend – is on everyone’s lips in this city, and depending on where you source your weather information, it’s either going to rain a bit on Sunday or be completely dry. One thing that everyone agrees on is that Sunday will be one of the coldest Indianapolis 500’s in history. Right now, the top temperature is supposed to be 21, but with gusty winds. Not quite what I am used to in Indianapolis. Even with last year’s tornado, the temperature has still always been mild and enjoyable. I’m on the hunt for a good, wind-proof jacket.
We had dinner with Ryan and Audrey tonight at El Jaripeo, an excellent Mexican restaurant near their house. Aside from the food, they also serve Mexican beer in giant – and I do mean giant – mugs. A fun night talking life and racing – Ryan is a pit reporter for IndyCar Radio (amongst other racing broadcasting gigs, too numerous to mention here) and will be interviewing the winner on Sunday, which is a big-time gig.
We’re staying with Ryan and Audrey tonight and tomorrow night, before meeting up with some friends for race weekend.
This week in Indianapolis sport is pretty huge, because the Pacers are in the NBA’s eastern conference finals and tonight was Game One, against the Knicks in New York City. It was a tight game for three quarters, but the Knicks took a 16-point lead midway through the last…only for the Pacers to come roaring back, mounting an epic comeback to tie the game in the last second of regulation, and win in overtime. Basketball at it’s best.
The only problem is that the game was so tense, I don’t feel like sleeping – and it’s late! Fun night, though. And it really feels like race week now that we’re in Indianapolis.
kitchtrips 