Elkhart, Indiana has been one of the nicest surprises!!!! We came here because this is where the Monaco factory is, and we have been having trouble with our sattelite tv. (yes, another gadget).
I hated the idea of wasting time here, but it was right on the way, so we stopped. One thing about Monaco is that they have overnight parking and full hookups for all their customers while they are doing the coach repairs. We ended up staying here 4 nights, even though the rv was finished the first day. Monaco will let you stay as long as you want if there are open spaces...they even have free laudramats. Apparently this is the center of rv manufacturing, and it is interesting to see all the different motor coach companies right next to each other.
The first thing I found out was that this area has a very big Amish settlement nearby, with some really neat shops and restaurants. Vern and I are in the market for a new dining room set, so we set out to look at furniture. The first place we went after looking up the address looked just like someone's house in the middle of nowhere. We walked in and were blown away by some of the most beautiful Amish handmade furniture you can imagine. Rooms and rooms of it. Oak, Maple and Pennsylvania Cherry (there is a difference), all solid hardwoods and beautiful designs. There were many, many establishments like this one (Weaver hardwoods).
There was Yoder's meat and cheese store, a farmer's market...you can only guess what the cheese tasted like!!!! I also bought some pork chops that I am dying to cook...all natural, local meat. The quilt shops were plentiful, with every design you can think of and beautiful handiwork. Of course there was lots of tourist stuff, too.
But here is the best and most surprising thing. I have been wanting a small coffee table for the rv. I found one at the rally that was jut the ticket, and was told that it was made by the Amish in Indiana. For some reason I didn't buy it, and later was sorry. Guess what...the man who makes them is right here in a little town called Shipshewana. We went to find him and had a heck of a time, since he is out on a farm rd..but we did find him..."Focal Products". We walked right into his workshop as he was making them. What luck!!!!!!!
It was fun seeing all the horse and buggies on the road...also all the Amish riding their bikes. Their farms are so beautiful and well kept, it is such a pleasure to drive through the countryside.
Tomorrow is Sunday, and everything is closed around here, so we are going to drive to Kokomo. As I recall, when we lived there we gorged ourselves on corn and tomatoes, so maybe we will be lucky enough to do it again.
Mary
I hated the idea of wasting time here, but it was right on the way, so we stopped. One thing about Monaco is that they have overnight parking and full hookups for all their customers while they are doing the coach repairs. We ended up staying here 4 nights, even though the rv was finished the first day. Monaco will let you stay as long as you want if there are open spaces...they even have free laudramats. Apparently this is the center of rv manufacturing, and it is interesting to see all the different motor coach companies right next to each other.
The first thing I found out was that this area has a very big Amish settlement nearby, with some really neat shops and restaurants. Vern and I are in the market for a new dining room set, so we set out to look at furniture. The first place we went after looking up the address looked just like someone's house in the middle of nowhere. We walked in and were blown away by some of the most beautiful Amish handmade furniture you can imagine. Rooms and rooms of it. Oak, Maple and Pennsylvania Cherry (there is a difference), all solid hardwoods and beautiful designs. There were many, many establishments like this one (Weaver hardwoods).
There was Yoder's meat and cheese store, a farmer's market...you can only guess what the cheese tasted like!!!! I also bought some pork chops that I am dying to cook...all natural, local meat. The quilt shops were plentiful, with every design you can think of and beautiful handiwork. Of course there was lots of tourist stuff, too.
But here is the best and most surprising thing. I have been wanting a small coffee table for the rv. I found one at the rally that was jut the ticket, and was told that it was made by the Amish in Indiana. For some reason I didn't buy it, and later was sorry. Guess what...the man who makes them is right here in a little town called Shipshewana. We went to find him and had a heck of a time, since he is out on a farm rd..but we did find him..."Focal Products". We walked right into his workshop as he was making them. What luck!!!!!!!
It was fun seeing all the horse and buggies on the road...also all the Amish riding their bikes. Their farms are so beautiful and well kept, it is such a pleasure to drive through the countryside.
Tomorrow is Sunday, and everything is closed around here, so we are going to drive to Kokomo. As I recall, when we lived there we gorged ourselves on corn and tomatoes, so maybe we will be lucky enough to do it again.
Mary
2 comments:
I think I want to go to Indiana. What's the building that looks like a giant barn, Mary?
Terry
Terry,
That is Yoder's farmer's market, where you can buy the best cheese in the world. The meat is all home grown and hormone free..probably corn fed. I bought pork chops , but haven't cooked them yet. I'll let you know.
(Sorry, I haven't been able to figure out how to label the pictures from Adobe.)
Mary
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