Indianapolis 500 awaits

Thanks to the enterprising N who spotted an ad and bargained for some tickets, W&N are now preparing to embrace yet another mid-western tradition, the Indianapolis 500. W's ears are already ringing in full anticipation of taking on action with a higher decibel level than the beloved nocturnal trundling of trains semi-hourly past his bedroom window, nightly lulling him to sleep with their gentle whistles and lurching radioactive cargo. The plan will be to wake up extremely early and drive for 4 hours to Indianapolis, while Grandpa Mark is left to watch the kids. Then R&M will awake to find themselves parentless, and will proceed to mow the lawn, do the laundry, and take out the trash all on their own.