While we (I) certainly never anticipated spending 2 weeks in Indiana as winter approaches, our time here has been quite unique. Much is here to enjoy --- many of the towns are small, farming communities, sprinkled with businesses that create and support the RV industry, woodworking, kitchen cabinets, and the normal shops and stores. There is much history here --- and many of the towns have worked together to create what is called the quilt trail --- but not your fabric quilts.....this is a network of places that have painted quilts on their building and/or created quilt gardens --- huge flower gardens which are done in a quilt block.....unique and gorgeous. Also up in Goshen is the huge Goshen, Indiana Fairgrounds, with a wonderful campground -- we spent two nights there and enjoyed it.
The scenery -- so different from our mountains of NH --- vast cornfields as far as the eye can see....flat, flat, flat! I think the majority of farms are Amish --- huge Amish settlements here, horses and buggies ply the roadways and the highways, where they have actual "buggy lanes". The Amish who work out side the home --- go to work mostly by bicycle, and you see the lights from their bikes before 6 a.m. on the highways, heading to work! It's a bit scary the first time you see it.....you just hope you give them enough room! Some bike anywhere from 6 to 9 miles each way every day....rain, sleet or snow! Impressive! And not just the fellas --- a lot of the gals are doing it, too. More power to them! Their farms are well-kept and the vast acreage seems to be laid out in big grids, with roads going east to west, and north to south, numbered as CR 20 N, or CR 21E and so on. You could easily get lost unless you have some sort of bearing. There are double railroad tracks, and long trains go by about 2-3 times an hour.....bearing all sorts of goods and trailers --- something we don't see in the east. Glad to see it.....although Ali was scared the first time one came nearby where we were walking.
We have been to Amish markets where everything is in bulk --- so many spices, flavorings, tons of cheeses (one market has over 75 varieties!), meats, and best of all....lots of homemade baked goods. We have dined in a few wonderful Amish restaurants, where portion control seems to be unheard of --- Ken was in heaven!
And everyone we have met has been helpful and very friendly -- and good at what they do.
It's good to know that we have had people working on our motorhome who worked for the original company that made it....and know all the in's and out's of it.
We have seen lovely old houses in the towns, and lots of small lakes and rivers. We stayed in a really nice bed and breakfast called the Scottish Bed and Breakfast after the owners' prize Scotties....and where scrumptious breakfasts were prepared. And where we met and made friends with two other couples who have similar motorhomes and with whom we will stay in touch....one of whom we will see in Jan. as they have made reservations with a camground we told them about...and where we will be for the same week!
So, not so bad to be in Indiana -- it has unexpected pleasures. My Mom was born in the midwest and her Mom came from a long line of midwesterners --- I grew up hearing that those from the midwest were good, solid people.....and now I truly know it to be true.
We are anxious to hit the road and move further south, away from snow and ice and cold wind.....but we will remember the area with good thoughts and would not mind coming back. In warmer weather, of course!
And wow, this is my first blog entry! Not sure -- but I might just do one here or there....we shall see!
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