The shared electric scooters have arrived in the Ripple. Lime scooters are everywhere including on the sidewalks and on the Monon Trail.

I have only seen the Lime electric scooters. I spoke recently with Jason Wilde of Lime (and his communications consultant, Laura Beck). The scooters have been in the City for just two weeks.

To find a Lime scooter in the Ripple, open their app and look especially for the Lime hubs.

From their press release: "The Lime-S scooters cost $1 to unlock and 15 cents per minute of riding. Lime-S scooters already have rolled out earlier this year in San Diego, San Francisco, D.C., Denver, Honolulu, Austin, Miami, San Jose, Oakland, Charlotte, and most recently, Santa Monica and South Lake Tahoe. Forty percent of Lime rides across the country start or stop at public transit stations, showcasing how people are using Lime as their first and last-mile transportation option.

"Indianapolis will be the first market in the Midwest with Lime scooters because of the City's culture of innovation and connectivity," said Jason Wilde, Lime Regional General Manager.

Currently available in more than 70 markets, Lime is the leading U.S. micro-mobility company in the nation. Since first launching in June 2017, riders have logged more than 4 million trips on its electric scooters, electric-assist bikes, and classic manual pedal bikes.

All of Lime's bikes and scooters are GPS and 3G-enabled, making it simple for riders to find, unlock and pick up a nearby vehicle using their smartphone. When the ride is finished, riders simply end the ride with the Lime mobile app and responsibly park by the street curb, or at a bike rack.

Lime plans to share extensive data in route and usage patterns with the City and is committed to hiring locally. Lime also is the only company that produces rider education videos geared towards informing riders about safety and how/where to park responsibly.

Coming soon will be Lime Bikes, if all goes well. They are in talks with the City on the details, according to Wilde. Lime Bikes are like the Pacers Bike Share except there are no docking stations. Like the scooters, you leave them wherever.

However it is not legal to navigate motorized vehicles on sidewalks or the Monon trail.

As of press time, the other scooter company (Bird) had not responded.

Don't forget to show your support for the beleaguered Broad Ripple Park pool by swimming there before they close on August 5, 2018.

Several swimmers told me this might be the last summer.

Also join my Facebook page, Friends of Broad Ripple Park Pool. Most importantly, let IndyParks know you oppose closing the outdoor pool (currently part of the Broad Ripple Park Master Plan debate).

Philadelphia makes for a perfect long weekend. Steeped in American history, the city is very walkable.

I took American to PHL, the former US Airways hub. American has the most non-stops. Once at the airport, hop on the SEPTA regional rail to the Jefferson Station. It is just $8 and takes 20 minutes (and is free if you are coming from the Amtrak Station).

The Alexander Inn at 12th and Spruce is your affordable choice. It features free wifi with no password, breakfast served on weekends until noon, and is steps to everything you will want to go to. Book your room at www.alexanderinn.com.

First time visitors and American history buffs will want to make a bee line to the Independence National Historical Park, home of the Liberty Bell. You can also tour Independence Hall.

Nearby is the National Museum of American Jewish History (101 S. Independence Mall East) which has a new exhibit, "Leonard Bernstein-The Power of Music". It's a very informative tale of the famous New York composer. It is an absolute must and worth the $15 admission fee. You will find them at the corner of 5th and Market.

Also be sure and visit the iconic City Hall which features Ben Franklin himself on the roof. When nighttime falls, head over to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts or Walnut Street Theater to catch a show. Mama Mia was at Walnut Street when I visited. The Reading Market Terminal just 8 blocks north of the hotel has every kind of food you could want. It's like Chicago's French Market on steroids. Try the Philadelphia Cheesesteak sandwich. I went for healthy and had a fresh carrot juice.

Get your morning coffee and patisserie at J'Aime French Bakery, 212 S. 12th. The cafe americano is to die for. Mercato at 12th and Spruce features dining on the sidewalk. The Parc Bistro at Locust and 18th has great French food.

In short, you can't beat a long weekend in historic yet modern Philadelphia.