#271: East Race Rafting

The clouds have cleared, and once again, it feels like summer here in the Bend.  Good thing, because we're on the cusp of the start of a new school year.  Next week, students from IUSB, Notre Dame, Saint Mary's, etc will return.  Enjoy your last weekend of congestion-free Grape Road, and celebrate with a popular summer activity distinctive to South Bend: rafting on the East Race waterway.

Part of the South Bend Parks system, the East Race opened in 1984 after two years of construction, and more than 200,000 have enjoyed its almost 2000 ft stretch of whitewater.  While you can find expert paddlers testing their skills on the East Race any day of the week, on the weekend the Parks Department opens it to the larger public with basic equipment for rent.  For $5 a 'ride', you receive an inflatable kayak or raft, paddle, helmet and life jacket to brave the rapids.  If you have no experience on whitewater, don't worry -- the rapids are only class 2, enough to provide a bit of thrill but not strong to toss anyone out of the raft.

This is the last weekend that the rentals are available -- don't let another year go by without experiencing one of South Bend's greatest attractions!

When: Saturday, 12-5pm; Sunday, 1-5pm
Where: Park and buy your tickets in the parking lot opposite Seitz Park, between The Emporium and AM General Building
Cost: $5/ride.  Rides generally take about 5 minutes.
Website: http://sbpark.org/parks/east-race-waterway/ 

TIPS:  Cash only.  You must wear close-toed shoes (no flip-flops), and although no one actually goes into the river, you will get soaked.  Dress appropriately.

Kids are welcome -- the first ride might be intimidating, but they'll be hooked after it! -- but must be at least 4'6".

There's an ice cream truck and sometimes a climbing wall on site, but Corby's and the Emporium are probably your best bets to dry off and cool down afterward.

#270: A South Bend RV Trip

The RV industry is very important to the economy of northern Indiana.  Ever wonder what the region looks like from the perspective of "recreational vehicle"?  Check out today's guest post featuring  someone who knows a thing or two about RVs, Joe Laing, Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals.  He also contributes to Monty's Musings RV Travel Blog.


Take an RV trip to South Bend, Indiana for a vacation filled with outdoor fun. You will discover so many activities for the whole family to make it a getaway worth remembering. This will be an appealing trip, especially in an RV. You will have your "home" right along with you so in between adventures you can relax surrounded by the familiar and comfortable things you love.

If coming from Chicago, enter Indiana on Interstate 80 heading east. Follow I-80 and after passing Gary, Indiana, you can take a short side-trip on the Dunes Highway. This will take you to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. An amazing and enchanting time awaits you here, with a sandy beach, miles and miles of trails to hike and wetlands and forests to explore. The visitor center is open from 8 am to 6 pm in the summer and from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm in winter months.  Be sure to visit the West Beach with only a fee of $6 per car per day.

Further on, you will find a great golf course so you can perfect your game. At Michigan City Golf Course you'll discover a lovely 18-hole course in a beautiful wooded setting. Any level of skill is welcome. Browse the pro shop for a full choice of equipment. If you don't play golf, now is surely the time to take it up as a thrilling hobby.

Cut back over to Interstate 80 and on your route to South Bend, stop at Hudson Lake. Get out on the lake on your personal watercraft, and go fishing. You'll catch some largemouth bass or bluegill or both. You can also make this spot your home base for your trip to South Bend. Find RV camping at Lakeside RV Resort. Here you will find a boat launch, horseshoe pits, a swimming pool and much more. You're right on the lake with great views.

Next stop is South Bend, Indiana, your actual destination on this RV vacation. Tour the downtown area by enjoying a horse drawn carriage ride. Catch a ride any Friday evening from 7 to 10 pm. Another popular stop is the East Race Waterway, an artificial whitewater course. Here on the east side of the St. Joseph River, you can ride the rapids. If you are visiting South Bend anytime between 9 June and 12 August, don't miss this special adventure. It is open on weekends only from 12 to 5 pm on Saturdays and 1 to 5 pm on Sundays.

Throughout South Bend you'll find many parks where you can get out into the sunshine. Go to Wheelock Park or Merrifield Park in town. This latter one has a number of sports fields and an Olympic size swimming pool with water slide. If kids are with you (or even if there aren't children on this trip), you will love this park.

Thirty minutes to the west, you will find Bendix Woods County Park. Here is a popular place to go to see wildflowers in bloom during the springtime. Hike the trails and stretch your legs. Enjoy the historic sites available to visit too, such as the original clubhouse and the famous Studebaker pine tree sign. If there in March, stop by the Sugar Camp Days Festival (see 365-SB post #150). Hours vary for this park so call when planning your trip. The number is 574-654-3155.

Other places of interest are the Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve in South Bend and Potato Creek State Park about twenty-minute drive to the southwest. But you can't neglect the many festivals that are held in and around South Bend all year round. Events in and around South Bend can fill in the times when you need a little change from all that physical activity. In June there are two favorites, Notre Dame's Cleveland Shakespeare Festival and the South Bend Blues & Ribs Festival (see 365-SB post #202).

If coming to South Bend in August, you simply must include the South Bend Reggae Festival on your itinerary. Held annually at the Saint Joe County Fairgrounds, this fest is the best for live entertainment and great food. Gates usually open around 2 pm, and kids under 12 are free.

A South Bend, Indiana RV trip will prove to be quite an entertaining excursion, with all the outdoor recreation you can imagine as well as some history and festivals thrown in. The time will be memorable and you are sure to have experiences that you will share with future generations.

#257: Adventure Racing

Looking to challenge yourself this summer?  Get 'off the beaten track' and train for one of the adventure races happening around the area.

These competitions generally have unusual obstacles, ranging from belly-crawling through mud to stacking kegs -- not your typical 5k.  They have been mainstays in areas where extreme sports are more popular, but the local area has plenty of opportunities to demonstrate how hardcore you are.  Here are some of our suggestions.  Make sure to pay attention to whether you need any special gear (eg. mountain bike and helmet), early registration dates to avoid price hikes, and whether it's team or individual.

• June 9 - Wild Goose Chase, Warsaw: Features hiking, biking, and orienteering; part of the Northern Indiana Lakes Festival so you can keep on celebrating all day.  http://www.metzgeroutdoors.com/WildGoosechase.php
• June 16/17 - Tough Mudder, Badlands Offroad Park (Western Indiana): The course has a collaborative spirit and the goal is to finish the grueling 10-12 miles of obstacles.  Benefits Wounded Warrior Project. http://www.warriordash.com/register2012_indiana.php
• July 21 - Mudathlon, : Their tagline is "Mud - Obstacles - Beer."  Seems like that about sums it up?  http://www.mudathlon.com/  There is also an Indianapolis race on June 30.
• July 28 - Urban Adventure Games, South Bend: A competitive two-person race that takes all over the South Bend area.  Featured last year by 365 South Bend: http://365southbend.blogspot.com/2011/08/211-urban-adventure-games.html. Avoid high fees by registering now for 2012: http://urbanadventuregames.com/
• August 11 - Warrior Dash, Crawfordsville (Central Indiana): Three miles of running over walls, under ropes, and amongst obstacles...in other words, for those looking to prove they have cojones.  http://www.warriordash.com/register2012_indiana.php

Looks like fun, right?

#251: South Bend Studebreakers

Last year, we made a few (tongue-in-cheek) suggestions for blind/first date ideas.  One suggestion was a South Bend roller derby event, and we haven't elaborated on this great group since.  Since it's rolling round to Cupid's special day, appropriately, perhaps it is timely to highlight "Heartbreaks and Beatdowns," this Saturday's match-up between the South Bend Studebreakers and Naptown Roller Girls Third Alarm.

The movie "Whip It" might be have brought roller derby into semi-mainstream culture, but it's really something you must see (experience?) for yourself.  From Afro Disiac to Twiggy Tormentor, the skaters will impress with their skills, hilarious names, and of course, bad ass-ery.

The group also hosts fundraisers for the community with regular frequency.  They're not all about dealing and taking hits -- a motto of theirs is: Northern Indiana has a taken a beating and we want to give everyone something to be excited about!  (Aww.  But don't let their kind motives fool you into false expectations about their ferocity.)  If you're not a girl, or a skater, you can still get involved by attending events like these.


Although they were accepted into the Women's Flat Track Derby Association just six month ago (July '11), the South Bend Roller Girls have a huge following, and previous events have sold out.  You can buy tickets for tomorrow match-up online here, but online sales stop at noon, FYI. (Tickets available at USA Skate Center and Orbit Music as well.)

When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 8:30 PM (doors at 8:00 PM)
Where: USA Skate Center, 3909 N. Main St., Mishawaka
Cost: $10/advance, $12/door
Event Website: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/222314 or https://www.facebook.com/events/211652435594456/


Tip: Can't make it Saturday?  They host free public scrimmages the first Thursday of every month at USA Skate Center.

#244: Niles Frigid 5K

If you want to get going on your New Year's Resolution to work out more, here is the thing to do for you this weekend: the Niles Frigid 5K.  Finishing a race, especially one with such a hardcore name, gives you such a feeling of accomplishment, no matter what place you finish.  (Eg. See the excellent guest post recap of the Sunburst races.)  Age group awards, a forgiving start time (9 AM) and the appeal of hot chili afterward make this race an even better way to start an exercise regimen. 

It's rare to have a race mid-winter and rarer that we don't have significant snow cover, so take advantage of this opportunity, and you will have of being on your way to meet your fitness goals.

And you're waiting until the Chinese New Year to make your resolution, come to pique your appetite for the Hunter Ice Festival, which we featured last year (#105).

Where: Niles Amphitheater, Niles, MI
When: Saturday, Jan. 14, 9:00 start time
Cost: $20 w/o shirt; $25 with shirt (quantities limited)
Register at the website http://www.nilesf5k.com/ or on the day of.

#242: Get some Moves / Tres Reyes

"New Moves" is the theme of this month's First Friday celebration.  There are various events happening in Downtown South Bend tonight related to this theme, including a dancing lessons at the Woodward.  Whether you want to try out swing, latin dance, or salsa, there is an opportunity to learn from the masters.  If neither learning some new movers nor losing your inhibitions are on your new year's resolution list, then come (perhaps after a drink at Fiddler's or Oyster Bar) for the people-watching.  There's a reason "So You Think You Can Dance" averages over 5 million viewers on television.

If dancing really isn't your thing, you can check out yoga, either at Dhanwantari or at the South Bend Chocolate Company.   Or "Zero Balancing Therapy," a type of mind-body massage, at the DTSB office.

Why are dancing costumes always so ridiculous?

When: Tonight, 5-9 PM
Where: Downtown South Bend
Check DTSB's website for directions, parking, and details here!

If you are pining for the eating, singing, and festivizing of the holidays, get back into the Christmas spirit at the Tres Reyes celebration at the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka.  This important Mexican celebration marks the Epiphany, the arrival of the three wise me to Jesus.  Come for tradition treats like horchata and rosca de reyes (cake).  There was also a celebration last night on the west side -- Jesus, sorry I'm late!

#224: "Fight Like A Champion"

Many college graduates in the area have left the town and returned, with many accomplishments to their name.  Notre Dame alum Mike Lee is returning this weekend, but he comes back not to boast, but to further his list of success.  After winning Notre Dame's amateur boxing event, Bengal Bouts, for three years in a row, this finance major has made a career of professional boxing.

Tomorrow, in an event titled "Fight Like A Champion", the undefeated Lee will take on Jacob Stiers of Kansas at the Purcell Pavilion on Notre Dame's campus.  This is the first ever professional boxing event held on campus.  All proceeds go to charity, either the Ara Parseghian Foundation or the Robinson Community Learning Center.

Where: Purcell Pavilion (in the Joyce Athletic Convocation Center), Notre Dame
When: 8:00 pm, first bell at 9:00 pm
Tickets: $50, $30 and $15 General Admission for students.  $150 floor seating. Can be purchased  through the Notre Dame Athletics Ticket Office by calling 574-631-7356 or www.und.com/tickets.

#211: Urban Adventure Games

While this is a retroactive post for this event, the Urban Adventure Games a) are too fun, b) support our mission to "have appreciation for where you are" too closely, and c) draw too much of the community for us not to highlight them.

The last weekend of July, when South Bend is often at its hottest and muggiest, teams gather together to race around the city, attempting to complete a set of challenges in 3.5 hours.   These tasks range from ziplining across the St. Joe to making paper airplanes on Notre Dame's campus to counting the number of doorposts in the new Kroc Center.  Biking and foot are the only transportation permitted.

Sound crazy?  It is.

The Urban Adventure games are unlike any other "race" in South Bend.  Part strategy, part teamwork, all good.  It's like a South Bend version of Nickelodean's "Wild n Crazy Kids".  Visit the website to learn more about the four different divisions of races and the rules for the event.  There's no faster way to see all parts of the city, as well as meet as many volunteers at all the stations, than through this event.

At the Cove, teams strategize during the 30 minute planning period before the start of the physical race.

The date for the 2012 Urban Adventure Games has already been scheduled for July 28, so mark your calendars and start training now!

http://urbanadventuregames.com/

A Reflection on Sunburst

We are lucky enough to feature a poetic reflection on yesterday's Sunburst races and festivities, written by none other than the winner of the 10K race!  Congrats, Craig!!  Perhaps his post will serve as motivation for those of us (...myself included) who didn't take part in the races this year.  Also - a BIG congrats to my fellow 365-blogger who ran the half marathon (and finished well below her targeted time).  Way to go, TJ!!

The Sunburst races have a reputation in South Bend for ushering in the intense heat of summer and corralling the ambitions of thousands who wish to test their strength against the heat; runners travel from places as foreign as California to run in one of the handful of races that the Sunburst offers, though most come from states and cities only a short drive from Michiana. This year, the 28th running of the Sunburst, stylishly played its traditional role -- and that's a good thing.

As the sun crested the College Football Hall of Fame and smacked the top of the tallest building in town, the Holiday Inn, music pumped from an impromptu stage set up on a sidewalk at the crossway of Michigan and Washington, a carnival out of place among coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques. Invisible, the heat crept up on the scene like a curious horse stalking a stableman who toils away in a tack room. Its strength intensified as more runners jogged, ambled and strode to the starting line and huddled in a gigantic school like fish in a river -- they paced anxiously, swayed from one leg to the other, and jumped around, letting time pass ever so slowly until the sharp *ping* of the starting gun signaled the start of the 5K race. It was only 7:15 a.m., but the conditions already resembled those of a late July afternoon. The romantics who signed up for the marathon got a head start to try to best the ineluctable pace of the sun's rise to the center of the sky. At this time, Ryan Greutman, the lead runner and eventual champion, had not yet passed the halfway mark, one hour and twenty-two minutes left to run until he crossed the finish line in Notre Dame Stadium. Any thoughts of him, or the hundreds of other marathoners trudging away somewhere along the course, slipped from the atmosphere as the runners heard, "Ready! Set!" and then fired a blank bullet into the early June air. The 5k had begun.

Typically the race with the most participants, the 5k saw over 4,000 runners toe its course. They rushed by onlookers, family members and those waiting to race the half marathon or the 10k. Ten minutes after all of the 5k runners had cleared from the bustling city center, the half marathoners took off. From Michigan Ave., they strode south until they intersected and turned right onto Western Ave. for a brief stretch before they turned right again onto Lafayette St. and began to weave their way through the course on riverside paths and sleepy neighborhood drives. Undulating hills dot the course -- a few of which rise steep and sharp, shocks to already tired bodies -- to create an overall challenging experience.

Back at the start line, a thinner pool of participants stirred in place before the 10k kicked off with another shot from the starting gun. At the front of the line, I wondered when last year's champion would join me in the 5-minute mile group. With only one minute to pass until the start of the race, I realized that he would not show up, that I was the de facto favorite to win the race, a precarious situation that often riles up anxiety from my core that tenses my muscles, dilates my pupils and weighs on the cadence of my breathing. From the crack of the gun, I ran alone, only twenty seconds separating second place from me for most of the race, until the gap grew in the final two miles of the race. After three miles, the heat bore down on us, whipping and snarling and sapping strength from our muscles. Despite how tired I felt, I smiled as I passed supporters that lined up outside their homes or worked at water stops. Some were especially creative. "No more hills the rest of the way!" one man cheerfully shouted at me as I climbed the steepest hill on the course, and I shot him a chuckle through a smile in return. Passing by casual participants -- those who walked and jogged in intervals or ran to support a cause, like Team In Training -- I heard "great job" and "keep pushing" sung to me. On the Irish green turf of the stadium, exhausted high-fives and sweaty hugs linked finishers like they were playing a big game of Red Rover. We had endured, all of us. And in straining our bodies for miles running under a leaden blanket of heat, we remembered why we had signed up for the race, why we had started running in the first place -- fellowship.

When we look back on the 2011 Sunburst races, many will recall heavy heat and high participation. I will remember the theme song to Rocky blasting from a home stereo, a handshake from a runner in a royal purple shirt and congratulations from fans sitting in the stands of the stadium. Most of all, I will remember running; running with thousands of people, not in front, not behind, all at once.

#196: The Sunburst

Need a reason to spend some time outside this weekend?  Head downtown, and you'll find the monthly bustle of activity for First Fridays.  Make sure you check out the big white tents around town -- one for the Meet Me on the Island event (look for a post in July highlighting this show series), the other for the Sunburst Races. 

"The Sunburst" is not one particular race; rather, it's a total of six events that range from a family fun walk tonight to a full marathon.  It has the largest draw of all area races, and the timing always matches up with the Notre Dame Alumni Reunion weekend.  For a sense of scale, event organizers are rallying to get 10,000 participants. 

The course starts downtown at the College Football Hall of Fame, which is a hub of activity tonight.  Pre-registered runners can pick up their packets; those still contemplating can be bold and register for any race up until 8:00 pm.  There is an expo with various running-related vendors, and four-time winner of both the NYC and Boston Marathon Bill Rodgers is speaking at 4:30 pm. 


Even if the majority of your runs are to the store for cigarettes, booze, or ice cream, you can still participate in the palpable race-day excitement.  Because the courses criss-cross much of South Bend and many streets around town are closed in the morning, take a lazy morning and come outside to cheer the runners.  (If you're still in your bathrobe, no worries -- trust me, that'll be the last thing on runners' minds.)  All events--except tonight's family fun walk, which traverses downtown and the East Race-- finish in the Notre Dame football stadium...aka the perfect venue for finishers and spectators alike.  Nothing compares to the feeling of running out of that revered tunnel.

Last year's race, at the famous finish line.

And while the official theme for tonight is "Race to Downtown", it appears that DTSB is embracing all forms of transportation: this month's celebration features a classic car show and BMX stunt show on either end of Michigan.


Read more about tonight's various First Friday events here, and the Sunburst website--www.sunburstraces.org--offers course maps and answers a multitude of frequently asked questions about the event.

#189: (Continuing to) Bike the Bend

Sunday was the official "Bike the Bend" event, and you may noticed the signs and cones dotting the streets all around town.  However, events promoting biking the town continue all week, and South Bend is rolling out the red carpet for its cyclists and giving you little room to make excuses.

And speaking of red carpet, tomorrow morning, Tuesday, you will find a pancake breakfast outside of LaSalle Grill from 7:00 -9:00 am -- free for anyone who rides up on a bike.  They will have a special are roped off on Colfax Ave. for this event.   The VIP appeal of receiving a free (organic) breakfast from LaSalle is incentive enough to show up to work a bit sweaty.

If you work downtown, that concern doesn't need to be an issue -- Memorial Health Center is offering free access to its showers for the week. 

Biking to work can be intimidating -- when driving, I'm not 100% comfortable passing cyclists on the road and I wonder how they safe they feel -- so on Wednesday, South Bend and Notre Dame police have partnered together for a bike safety presentation.  They'll give tips on general bike afety and free maps of bike lanes in the area.  This event will occur at the ND Downtown office at 217 N. Michigan St.  from 6:00-7:00 pm.

Get your competitive juices flowing by participating in the corporate challenge.  It's a free contest between area organizations, and anyone can set up a team to compete for these bragging rights.  Check the website for further details about how to join/register a team and log your miles.

Even your kids can get in on the movement.  Several schools are hosting special events on Thursday, and there will be safety presentations (and helmet giveaways) at five different local elementary schools.

Learn more on their website: http://www.michianabiketowork.org/.  On there, you can even calculate the gas you'll save by biking!

#181: Kate's Garden and the Mishawaka Riverwalk

Some things are too nice not to share. Today was one of them. The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming, it was the first day of May, I'd just eaten brunch (really my favorite meal) at Allie's Cafe (post to come later!), and a friend (and, yes, fellow blogger) and I spontaneously decided to spend the early part of the afternoon exploring this small park on Lincolnway as it heads into Mishawaka.

It's tulip season!

It really was the perfect way to spend an afternoon in South Bend (or I suppose, the greater Michiana area), and I'll let some pictures do most of the rest of the talking. I want to quickly, though, note the history of the park. It was named after Catherine "Kate" Kosanovich, a well-known and well-loved Mishawaka community leader, and it contains an "Educators" sculpture by Tuck Langland, a local artist in residence, coincidentally, at Fire Arts. The park connects to the Mishawaka Riverwalk system which meanders pleasantly alongside the currently-overflowing St. Joe River. There were a variety of families, dogs, joggers, runners, strollers, children, parents, and others taking advantage of both the walk and the park. And on a day like today, I can only hope that you joined them.

Blogger cameo!

The "Educators" Sculpture

One of the many flowering trees

A section of the Riverwalk

For more info about the garden and the Riverwalk system go here.

#169: Check out the renovations at the Cove

One of our first posts was on the Silverhawks and all that Covaleski Cove has to offer, and I'd like to reiterate what a great experience baseball in South Bend is.  The stadium, walking distance from downtown, is celebrating its 25th year with $7.1 million facelift.  A new entrance will ease the transition between the stadium and downtown, making it all the easier to stroll down for happy hour at the Cove.   Fans are rewarded with improved picnic area and instant replay scoreboard, and for the players, an artificial turf has replaced the old field.

The first official home game of the season was last night -- a disappointing loss against the Lansing Lugnuts after leading until the 9th inning -- and the Silverhawks play at 6:30 each night through Saturday (and a 2:00 pm game on Sunday).  While you may be a little late in celebrating Opening Day, from now 'til September, grab takeout from Cambodian Thai or El Paraiso and enjoy America's Favorite Past Time, new and improved in South Bend.

Where: 501 West South Street
When: check here for the schedule.

#167: The Riverside Trail

I leave for a week, and what happens in South Bend but spring!  Today's delightful weather may not be quite warm enough for a picnic, but it's perfect for a nice jog or bike ride.  Spring also heralds the beginning of racing season here, so whether you're participating in this weekend's Run Panther Run 5k or training for the Sunburst marathon, this path will get you moving.

I set out on this path this afternoon, and I'll let my cell phone camera (so please excuse the poor quality) say the thousand words I would otherwise say about my favorite place for a long run....

The southern end of the trail starts at Angela, near the old railway tracks.

While the path hugs Riverside, it is far enough from the road to make you feel like you're following the river.

Convenient 1/2 mile markers help you track your progress

For the adventurous, a short dirt trail veers off at the hill near Keller Park

In 2009, this trail was extended by the city, and now extends 3.2 miles with beautiful fencing, benches, and even the occasional water fountain (crucial.)

Where: The trail follows Riverside from Angela Ave. (near St. Joseph High/Notre Dame) to Darden Road (near the big footbridge), past the water treatment plant and Cleveland, and even continues on Darden for about a mile.

Check out a more detailed description here. 

Check out the press release by the mayor's office about the recent extension here.

#152: Downtown Yoga at Dhanwantari Center

aaauuummmm (inhale) aaauuummmmm (inhale) aaauuummmmm.

Although I have taken yoga classes in a half dozen studios, I have to confess that never before had I actually articulated that core chant of this exercise...until I went to Dhanwantari Center in South Bend.

This studio is named after the Father of Ayurvedi Surgery and true its name, the mission of the center advocates the healing power that yoga can have.   Dhanwantari offers special classes for women over 50, Yin/Yang Yoga, and Yoga Nidra, in addition to Vinyasa and introductory courses.  (See class descriptions here.)  The 'om' mantra repeated at the beginning and end of each class is no gimmick; rather, it is oriented to the union  of the mind, body and spirit.

Dhanvantari

The Center is located two blocks from downtown, in the basement of historic Remedy building.  The room is very small -- with only five students in my Vinyasa class, we filled the space -- but cozy.  Even in the first class there, I felt very comfortable, and the low teacher-student also added to its welcoming feel.

The Remedy Building, Dhanwantari's home since summer 2010

Where: 402 W. Washington St.  (Enter through the front door and follow the signs to class.)
When: Check here for the Spring 2011 class schedule.
Call: 574.360.4090
Tip: Their introductory pass (3 classes at $7 each) is a great way to get feel for the studio, but they are currently offering spring specials on other classes.
Also cool:  They do Candlelight Yoga on Friday nights, and for April's First Friday, they will be have a didgeridoo player playing for a special candlelit 10 pm class.  To shake up your typical Friday night.

#127: Battel Park

 

You have to understand... I'm not one of those wimpy its-below-freezing boo-hoo type of people.  I don't get scared of three inches of snow on the road or two months straight of below-freezing temperatures.  I love winter.  I love snow.  Heck, I love wearing coats and scarfs and mittens - the whole thang.  I can handle cold, wind, snow, and basically any unholy combination of it (which we affectionately called "wintry mix").  And I like to think that we, Midwesterners, are tough and hardy people because of our winter....but jeeze, it's really really cold right now.

So this is for you, chilly reader, wearing glittens as you type on your laptop - and for me, looking forward to spring for the first time this winter.

Sometime in the middle of last fall, on an especially leisurely Saturday afternoon, I wandered around Mishawaka's oldest park, Battell Park.  In just a couple hours strolling around, I felt like I had walked through decades of Mishawaka history.  This 11 acre piece of land has had many faces since 1880, when it was first established as a city park.  Four years after its park designation, a 32-foot tall Soldier's Memorial featuring a 8-foot tall bronze Civil War solider was added to the original elements of the park, which included a wooden fence, rustic bridge, and a handful of planted trees. 

The real transformation of this land on the north bank of the St. Joe River occurred during the 1920s and 30s.  In 1927, the impressive Neoclassical bandshell complete with ornate cooper roof and griffins was constructed.  Hopefully, we'll be able to post about some of the summer concerts and performances that take place here.

Then later during the early 1930s, the Works Progress Administration built the mind-blowingly awesome 5-tiered rock garden that leads from the green space of the park down to the river. The various elements of this rock garden were finished just a couple years later in 1937, but it will take you ages to wander around the calm pools of water and wonder at the stone waterfall.

Since the Depression-era, a number of new elements have been added, changed, or rebuilt in the park.  Tennis courts, a play ground, a basketball court, and a fun-looking water works "splashpad" thing added a sports and recreation feel to the park.  The Shiorjiri Garden, on the other hand, offers a Japanese zen haven right in the middle of the park.  In recent history, Battel Park has also been linked up to the Riverwalk trails that connect almost all of the area's river front.

Location: 301 West Mishawaka Avenue, north side of the River north to Mishawaka Avenue, Forest Avenue on the west and at the end of Ann Street on the east

Tip: Bring a camera.  This park will make anyone feel like an amateur photographer.

Hopefully, these images of a 67 degree day in late September will warm you up even for just a moment and remind you that not even a windchill of -25 degrees can keep spring away forever.

#120: Tubing and Skiing at St. Patrick's Park

I don't think anyone will wonder whether or not the groundhog saw his shadow today.  Here in South Bend, we have several weeks of winter left to enjoy.  When the roads become passable again, take advantage of what our mamma (nature) gave us.  Go tubing at St. Patrick's Park.

This county park, just off Auten Road north of the city, does not close down after picnic weather is over; rather, it offers several reasons to get outside in the cold.  First, the inner-tubing hill.  It's open on weekends from 11am-5pm, and for $3, you can rent a tube for the afternoon.  (Sleds aren't permitted -- head south of town to Marion's hill for that.)  If hurtling yourself downhill doesn't appeal to you, take advantage of northern Indiana's topography for some cross-country skiing on St. Pat's many (flat) trails.  You can rent ski equipment for $10, and a trail fee applies.

For more information on inner-tubing, click here.
For more information on xc skiing, click here.
Check conditions at http://www.sjcparks.org/ -- there's even a webcam!

For readers residing a bit more on the Mishawaka side, Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park also offers inner-tubing, and snowshoeing.  Check here for details.

#100: Enjoy the snow

For those who have responsibilities that make transportation a necessity, our best wishes are with you, and please be safe.

Healthworks may have been open or not.

If you are lucky enough to have some free time (and some hot cocoa or tea waiting inside) go out and enjoy the huge snowfall. Channel your inner child and build a snowman, or just take a walk around the neighborhood to marvel at the largest one day snowfall that South Bend has ever seen. Pay it forward by shoveling off a neighbor's sidewalk or car; give the man standing in the doorway some money to buy himself a hot meal.

If you're feeling a little cooped after even after your explorations outside, these are a few restaurants/bars that are open today--and this list is nowhere near comprehensive, just a few places that had their lights on when I was walking around--

Pedro's
The View
Saigon Market
Madison Oyster Bar

the view of The View

To those looking for coffee downtown, good luck--Main Street, Chicory Cafe, even the South Bend Chocolate Company are all closed today.

#96: Metro Run and Walk

With the start of a new year, two truths are often brought to light: 1) I ate a LOT over the holidays, and 2) I should make this year better than the last.  Together, these personal epiphanies produce the motivation to make the New Year's resolution to exercise [more].

Well, check in with such a goal-setter several months/weeks/days later, and you'll encounter a red face and several excuses more often than a chiseled six-pack and a heart rate to rival Lance Armstrong's.  If only there was a place for the exercise-minded, where just by going there, your motivation is renewed and you encounter a community supportive of all athletic abilities.

My friends in fitness: trek over to Metro Run and Walk on Grape Road.

They stock workout apparel, shoes, and gear.  Good shoes are essential--I cannot stress this enough--to keep a fitness regime.  You will avoid much pain and injury if you invest in a pair of shoes that match your body type, and the salesmen at this store are happy to assist you in finding the right kind, often done through a quick and free gait analysis (a.k.a. a jaunt around the store).  While the price may seem high for some casual kicks, think of the money you'll save on Advil and doctor's visits.  Besides, when you're a runner or walker, the only truly necessary gear is a good pair of shoes.  (The store does offer tons of merchandise, but you don't need that Gu pack belt...at least not right away.)

What's more, beyond the gear is the community that you'll find there.  Training teams, running groups, race organizing committees, it's all there.  Pick up a flyer for an upcoming charity race, and register to motivate you to live up your exercise goals.  Join the Michiana Runners Association, which is sponsored by Metro Run & Walk,  for only $10 to receive a discount on shoes and races.  Get some shoes, get outside while there's still no snow on the ground, and get going.

Where: 3522 N. Grape Road in Mishawaka
When: M-F, 10:00am-7:00pm; Sat, 10:00am-6:00pm; Sun, 12:00-5:00pm
Website: http://michianarunning.com/index.html
Check out here for our running list of places to exercise.

#44: St. Pat's Park

One of the many trails

As I write this, the area is under a pretty severe weather warning. That notwithstanding, one of my favorite things to do in the previously nice fall weather, has been to take a hike at St. Patrick’s County Park (affectionately called St. Pat’s). It’s one of the many parks in the St. Joseph County Park System, and with its location just off of 933 past Roseland, it’s easily accessible for anyone in the area. 

An almost tree-house

The 398 acres of trails, playgrounds, ponds, and river frontage are beautiful in the fall. Plan a picnic or take a spontaneous hike. There’s even a disc-golf course if you’re interested. They also occasionally host concerts (at the Fischgrund Center for the Performing Arts) and events, one of them being the canoe races mentioned on here earlier.

The big red barn at the entrance to the park

Check out the website here.

And a map of the hiking trails here.

Tip: It does cost $3.00 (in-county) or $4.00 (out-of-county) to park.

Fun fact: You might not realize it but you’ll probably cross into Michigan on your hike.