The Elkhart area is known for its hardworking Amish, and for being the capital of the RV manufacturing world. In good times, thousands of campers, trailers, motorhomes and fifth wheels (house trailers connected to pickups by latching to a "fifth wheel" in the bed of the pickup, similar to how big rigs connect the trailer to the tractor) are produced annually. All the towns in the area either manufacture, or provide product to the manufacturers. Dairy and crop farming coexist on nearly flat land with ample water. Winters can be severe and summers can be hot & humid, while spring can spin an occasional tornado (YIKES!). Regardless, people are friendly and most helpful to transients like us.
Friendly? None beat Karen & Tony. This morning, they picked us up to tour the area. First stop was the RV Hall of Fame & Library. What a treat that I believe non-RVers would also enjoy. From the early 1900s to present day, well restored (or even untouched after being found in barns and dusted off) examples of a comprehensive variety of traveling "homes" are displayed. And if you've lived more than a decade, you'll be reminded of the progression toward the present state-of-the-art tents to million dollar RVs even during these past ten years. What fun to wander through the exhibits, artfully arranged.
Of course, we had to have lunch, consumed in an Amish themed restaurant, family style. How we ate all that food, I can only assume it's because we've been expertly practicing so much during this trip.
The locals also have other methods of extracting visitors' cash. Nearby Shipshewana (say that 5 times while attempting to learn why anyone would name a town Shipshewana), is home to one of the largest Amish communities. Reconnoitering the county roads while avoiding the Amish horse-drawn carriages, we found ourselves in the middle of the soybean and corn fields ... except the beans and corn had disappeared! In their place was the largest outdoor flea market we've seen, and we've seen many in our travels. Acres and acres of vendors vending on a dusty lot. Many football fields of STUFF. Not just T-shirts and deep fried bacon, but somewhere in this largest outdoor flea market in the Midwest, one could actually find something useful. If one had patience and didn't mind the strong wind and dust. Whew! What an experience, sometimes complimented by the fragrance of the adjacent Shipshewana Cattle Auction. Trust me, there are times when the word "Organic" does not conjure up healthy dining.
Don't let my description detract from describing the fun we had. A special day touring Indiana with the natives is one of the best so far. In the middle of all this, we run into Jerry & Carol, new acquaintances made in Rapid City, SD. Also fun people, they're heading to New England to see the foliage. RV parking being at a premium during leaf peeping time, we're doing our best to steer them instead towards the Florida foliage so that we don't have to park in someone's barnyard to see the leaves change color in Vermont. I'm not sure, but they may be seeing the value of changing their itinerary.
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| Karen, Tony & Doris supporting Shipshewana's Flea Market |
