ALTON CONTINUED

This first night, we dined at Gentelin's on Broadway owned and operated by Sarah and Ryan Gentelin (the chef). This restaurant is a fine dining genre with a beautiful view of the Clark Bridge, which is lit up at night to define the multitude of cables.

So what did we sample from their eclectic menu? An appetizer described the Toasted Wild Mushroom Ravioli as, "House made ravioli stuffed with wild mushrooms, wilted spinach and boursin cheese. Served crisp with a drizzle of white truffle oil, parmesan cheese and fresh herbs." Had to taste this one! I love wild mushrooms and didn't expect two large ravioli's...I guess you have to make them bigger than the usual to put that amount of "stuff".

The soup of the day was one with smoked pork and veggies. You won't find soup listed on their online menu as they make two soups each day; one meat and one vegetable.

I would have had a regular salad until I saw this one. "Goat Cheese – Panko breadcrumb and herb encrusted goat cheese tokens served with mixed greens tossed with spiced walnuts, poached pears, and dried cranberries in white balsamic vinaigrette. Garnished with cracked pepper and sea-salt crackers" on the bill of fare. What a great combo and quite tasty, too.

Entree choice was the half roasted duck, slightly smoked with a savoy cabbage and bacon potato puree in a light natural jus with fresh asparagus. Umm Umm good!

One of my group had the Black Bean Cakes served over a southwestern cilantro and roasted red pepper sauce with house made guacamole, fire roasted corn relish, drizzled with chipoltle sour cream and garnished with tempura fried avocados and crisp tortilla strips. I tasted. Pretty good for no meat.

We left room for dessert. It's off the present menu but...give me chocolate. Chocolate and Chambord mousse in a chocolate cup and a brownie topped with vanilla bean ice cream.

The next morning we were out for a Segway Tour for a view of the river starting at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. This particular operation comes out of St. Louis' Science Center where an equipped truck is hauled to the segway site. It's mostly bicycle path. I would have taken the entire tour but it is difficult for me to stand for such a long period of time. I'm getting out of shape the more I age. Besides, the tour also goes into downtown Alton and I had already took in the area.

Having experienced the Lewis & Clark Trial tour a few years ago, it was the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower that hadn't been built. The structure allows you to see the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers from platforms at 50, 100 and 150 feet. Between a tour guide and signs you can learn about the history of nearby Hartford, the Industrial Revolution, Lewis & Clark and the scenic byway. Yes, they have an elevator.

INDY DAY2, PART 1 IT'S A LONG DAY

How best to tour White Water State Park than with Executive Director Bob Whitt and on segway. The Segway Hut is located just near the parking, along side of the Dr. Frank P. Lloyd, Sr. Visitors Center...how convenient. Although the park is 250 acres of urban greenspace we did not tour all.

The most prominent are the cluster of museums and abutting Indy Zoo, which I later visited all. There are also two outdoor entertainment spaces. One is called the Celebration Plaza and Amphitheater. The other is The Governor's Lawn where major concerts are held. No events were scheduled during my visit. I guess I'll have to return to Indy. I absolutely loved the segway and it becomes easier each time I ride one. You can get lots of info on the park by going to www.inwhiteriver.wrsp.in.gov.

One of the attractions is the Indiana State Museum, where the IMAX theatre is located. I saw one of the best movies called Born To Be Wild and in 3D to boot! It is about orphaned baby elephants and orangutans being brought to areas to grow up and go back into the wild.

Time for lunch and just right there at the Tea Room. Had to indulge in the Velvet Chicken Soup, a salad and tea, of course as we spoke with Kathy Moore. Aside from Indianapolis tourism there is one devoted to downtown Indy as well.

I took a quick tour of the museum to see one entranceway exhibit of women from the Indy 500 and the facade of a public school that was formerly on this location.

VIRGINIA BEACH: SEGWAY TOUR

I think we're all hooked on Segway tours. This time we met Mark Landers of Segway of Hampton Roads, located at First Landing Visitors Center. Nancy, Barb and I got to ride the X2 vehicles which go to 12 m.p.h. The tour took us through First Landing State Park, a 2,888-acre park that fronts the Chesapeake Bay, featuring 1.25 miles of beach front and more than 19 miles of hiking trails through protected salt marsh habitat, freshwater ponds, beach, dunes, forest, tidal marsh and cypress swamp. Mark said that it is the most visited state park in Virginia. The road that we used is shared by bikers.