Today we start our route back home to Portland, beginning in Indianapolis. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were definitely more fun this year with baby Cole providing the entertainment. He was dressed in green-and-white stripped pajamas and a red Santa cap. When I got the pictures of my own granddaughter, Nora, she coincidentally was wearing the exact same outfit. They were celebrating down in Florida, while we all gathered around the 97-year old matron of my wife’s family and 7-month old Cole.

It’s been a memorable week back in Indianapolis, topped off by a visit with my “new” half-sisters down in rural Scipio (pronounced sip-e-oh). (See Post # 786). Yesterday, my wife and I went our separate ways, enjoying lunch dates with each of our group of friends. Then, it was back to my wife’s sister’s house for a pizza dinner and more wine. I could feel the tension of my fateful meeting with the Banisters washing away, replaced with a sense of relief and satisfaction in knowing that I was closer than ever to solving the mysteries of my adoption.

On our exit from Indianapolis this afternoon we’ll include a stop at Freddy’s Frozen Custard for lunch. Steak N’ Shake used to be our Indiana go-to-spot, but they have sadly changed their burger preparation to something less desirable. While we lived in Austin, Texas we discovered Freddy’s that does not yet have a location near our Portland, Oregon home. Freddy’s was particularly kind to our dogs, offering them a custard “pup-cup” that I’m certain they miss. We won’t tell Tinker and Tally where we stopped today. We’ll treat my mother-in-law instead.

The next stop will be Rochester, my wife’s home town as we continue to “Wander Indiana.” We’ll return mom to her assisted-living facility and take down the Christmas decorations that adorn her door. Once she’s comfortable, we’ll drive another hour north to Mishawaka and meet one of my old work friends for dinner at the Main Street Grill, before spending the night at a familiar Courtyard by Marriott. Tomorrow, we’ll visit with my sister and her family in nearby Elkhart, my home town.

My sister’s son and his family is in Disneyworld, near where my son lives. It would be nice to be down there with all of them, but we’ll already be exhausted after this adventure. My nephew’s son Bentley is playing in an All-Star little league game at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports facility. It’s quite an honor for the young fellow, who is apparently quite the pitcher. Thankfully, my niece Kara and her daughter Katie will at least join us for lunch. However, our late parents’ favorite dining spot Michael’s is closed until dinner, and we’ll need to return to Chicago’s O’Hare for our early morning flight home.

Once back at O’Hare’s Renaissance for the night, we’ll have gone full circle on our version of my wife’s Christmas Vacation. So far, everything has gone smoothly, including the mild weather we’ve experienced. Despite the many good memories we’ve created along the way, it’s good to be in the home stretch, looking forward to a Happy New Year!