RV Tour, Bed & Breakfast, Doggy Hotel & Laughter

Today was repair day for the RV.  The alarm went off at 6:30 a.m.  I did not want to get up and wanted to hit the clock.  We had an appointment to drop the camper of at Indiana Interstate Enterprises at 8:00 a.m. this morning.  We will be staying at a local bed and breakfast called Village View and Fred will be staying at a doggy hotel called It’s a Dogs World.

This is the sign at the entrance to the bed and breakfast.

Side view of the bed and breakfast from the parking lot.

This building has a ping pong table, dart boards and a sitting area. The small building sitting behind this one is the chicken house.  The horse shoe playing area is between these two buildings. 

This is the view of the bed and breakfast from the road.

A broader view of the house and buildings.

Rear entrance of the bed and breakfast and the old buggy parked out back.

This is Fred’s doggy hotel for the night.  I don’t think he was too happy when we left.

We are hopeful that the repairs will be completed by tomorrow.  If not we will have to stay another night at the Village View.

This morning, after dropping off the camper, we toured the DRV (Formerly Doubletree) plant where our camper was made.  Our tour guide said it takes eight days for the construction of a unit then it goes into the paint shop.  This was a very interesting tour.

The sign at the entrance of the DRV plant.

The road leading to the plant.

See the new campers in the back.

These are going to and coming from the paint shop.

For lunch John and I stopped in at a local diner called The Gathering Place.  We had been riding around for a while and as soon as I ordered I asked where the restroom was and was told it was out of order.  Not good when you really gotta go. LOL  John and I both ordered a hamburger and fires and split a cinnamon roll then ran off to Wal-Mart to use their restroom.

Later in the afternoon we checked in to the Village Inn and John took a long nap.  When he got up it was time for a dinner search.  We drove over to Sturgis, Michigan and decided to stop at a place called DaVinci’s Italian Restaurant.  John ordered veal scaloppini and I had the chicken picata.  We split a slice of berry cheese cake for dessert.  I still think John’s cheese cake he makes is much better.

The dining experience was entertaining because of the customers.  At a table in the rear of the restaurant was a table of three.  One of the men was a large man who had a very distinctive laugh.  The kind that makes you laugh whenever you hear it.  His speaking voice was so loud I could hear his entire conversation……with only one good ear.  I call his kind of laugh a guffaw. He talked about everything from having a heat rash to Christmas figurines.  The whole time we were eating we had to stop and laugh.  Then another group comes in and there was a lady in the bunch that also had a unique laugh.  I will call her cackler.  Mix all of these laughing sounds and funny conversations together and you really have something to laugh at. LOL

Remember to laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Signs, Skin So Soft & Fresh Vegetables

John is moving a little slower today.  His back is bothering him again.  He probably over did it yesterday cleaning out the basement of the RV. 

The plan for today is to go to the flea market in Shipshewana.  As we neared the flea market area the traffic was almost at a standstill.  Even though it was crowded we were able to get a parking place pretty close to one of the entrance gates.  As we walked along we found a booth that makes custom wooden signs.  We wanted one to hang outside the camper with our names on it and have been in search of it since we went fulltime.  Harold and Sandie loaned us a sign, made by their grandson Lester, until we could find a place to make us a custom one.  Now we will be able to return it to them in later this month when we see them. Thanks Harold and Sandie.

This is the sign we bought today.

After the sign purchase we saw an Avon booth.  I bought two large bottles of Skin So Soft.  This is supposed to be good for repelling mosquitoes. Several people swear by it.  I would rather use this than that smelly bug repellent spray.

It was very hot and since John’s back was sore and there really wasn’t much else that interested us at the flea market we left in search of lunch.  We ate a the Dutchmaid Diner just down the road from the flea market area.  It was very crowded but eventually we got seated.  John and I both chose the buffet. The food was delicious.  My personal favorite was the fried chicken.  I think John’s might have been the coconut cream pie.

Now that lunch was finished, we walked next door to the fresh produce market.  This was the best looking produce I have seen in a while.  I bought green beans, onions, yellow squash, tomatoes and a pineapple.  I guess you know what we will be having for dinner. LOL

As soon as we got back to the camper I snapped the green beans and started cooking them.  John took a nap and rested his back for a while.  When he woke up I had dinner almost ready.  Our dinner consisted of fresh green beans, squash with onions, slice garden tomatoes, left over roast and homemade cornbread.

  

 

Somehow its always about the food. LOL

Remember to laugh everyday.   Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Happy 4th of July.

Happy 4th of July to all our family and friends out there.  Happy Birthday Aunt Sylvia and Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Michael.

Today was a stay at home day.  John got up and made his blueberry pancakes for breakfast. They were delicious.

John starting the griddle for his blueberry pancakes.

Oh look….here is proof men do cook in the kitchen. LOL  He is so sweet.

Here is the finished product.  Very very tasty.

After breakfast John began the task of cleaning out the basement of the RV while I cleaned out the truck.   A little while later he took the gray boy out and dumped it. The rest of the day consisted of chilling out and talking to our neighbor campers.  Our neighbors on one side are from Canada and are on their return trip home.  Our neighbors on the other side are from Michigan and  had to leave early because of mechanical problems with their RV.   We have enjoyed sharing travel stories with them.

On my walks with Fred I have been on the look out for any kind of animal or wildlife so I can photograph it.  So far the closest thing I have come across is this crazy sock monkey on the post behind the camper. LOL  You just never know where he will turn up.  Don’t he look like he is thinking, “I am not moving from this post and you can’t make me.  LOL 

Oh well, I did that just to be funny.  Maybe I will come across some real animals or wildlife that I can photograph and share.

Remember to laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

RV Museum and Chicago Style Hot Dogs

Today our goal was to go to Elkhart, IN and tour the RV/MH Museum and to go by the Mobile Suites dealership and look at the new 5th wheels. On the way to Elkhart I spotted a little cafe that said, “Chicago Style Hot Dogs”. Now John loves him some Chicago Style Hot Dogs but I have never tasted one so……we had to stop. Ok, John was in hog heaven but me…..not so much. He loved all the slaw, relish and whatever else they put on that hotdog but to me it was just too much stuff. Well, at least I can say I tried it. Then it was off to Elkhart again. Upon reaching Elkhart we encountered several detours due to road construction. We finally made it to the museum and it was worth touring. It is so interesting to see how far RVs and motor homes have evolved. I brought the camera along and John snapped a few shots to share with everyone.

This is the sign at the entrance of the museum. We almost passed right by it.

This exhibit is right inside the museum as you enter. The bottom row of 1970 is a picture of a Winnebago Helicopter Motorhome. Winnebago made 2 of these.

Now this is a small camper. Looks like a toy.

Well, this looks like a hearse to me. Kind of creepy.

I like the way this it set up. Like you are traveling down a road.

Now I had to laugh because I can stand up without bumping my head in this one but tall people will definitely have a problem. This one kind of reminded me of a kids playhouse. Holiday Rambler has come a long way.

Oh look, an outside kitchen for Nathan “Dawg”

Now this is one ugly motor home. Made from an 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Chassis. They named this Star Streak II. It looks like something out of Star Trek to me. LOL I actually got in at sat behind the wheel. Not much room for the driver in it.

This is the Mae West Housecar. It reminded me of a trolley car because the back end has a door that opened up to a platform you could stand on.

Carriage looked good even in 1968 don't you think Speedy and Dee. This one was in great condition.

After completing the museum tour we finally made it to the Mobile Suites dealership…..and it was closed. Bummer. The internet said it was open until 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays but NOT!!! So we started making our way back to the campground with only one stop. An ice cream stop. We came across a little roadside ice cream shop in a campground with outside seating only. It was great. We sat outside and ate our ice cream while swinging on a swing.

Back at the campground everyone is getting ready for the live band and fireworks show. The weather has been in the low to mid 70’s all week. It warmed up to the low 80’s today. Still good weather for outside events. We will be able to sit in our chairs at the end of our campsite and watch the fireworks. I usually take a picture of the campground we stay at but I forgot this time. Below is the sign at the entrance.

Tonight the park put on a fireworks show. John was able to get a few pictures.

Remember to laugh everyday. Happy trails. Stay safe.

Sock Monkey

Up around 8:30 again today. We seem to be in a holding pattern with that. Today we ventured back out to Shipshewana to take John’s dulcimer to Simple Sounds, Inc. to have it tuned. Ms. Linda, the lady who waited on John yesterday, was working again today and was eager to help him. After looking at the strings on the dulcimer she asked John when he had replaced the strings last. He said, “Never have, not since I got it.” She looked at him amused and advised new strings then tuning.

Ok, you know what’s next…….lunchtime. We settled for hotdogs since we plan to cookout at the RV tonight. Before leaving Shipshewana we toured the Menno-Hof (Amish/Mennonite) Museum. The tour explains the Amish/Mennonite cultures and the history past and present. Very interesting tour and well put together.

On the way back to the campground we were in search of a meat market when we saw an Amish family selling fresh produce. Of course I had to have some. We bought, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, blueberries and a cantaloupe. The closest meat market that was still open was in Sturgis, MI.

John grilled some fine T-Bone steaks while I prepared tomato basil pasta with zucchini, peppers and onions. Afterward we sat outside and John attempted to teach me little on playing the banjo dulcimer. I need lots of practice. LOL

Yesterday John mentioned the little note I usually put a the bottom of the blog……Remember to laugh everyday. He asked me, “What if you forget to laugh?” I told him I can usually find something to laugh at…..even if it is at myself. Also you can put things around you at you find humorous such as the Sock Monkey.

I bought this sock monkey at Wal-Mart a few months back because it makes me laugh. When we sold the house and packed the camper John placed it on the light fixture above the door. For some unknown reason this stupid looking sock monkey just cracks me up when I look at it. Don’t he look like he is hanging on for dear life in that picture. LOL Too funny. I know I have a warped sense of humor. I am laughing just looking at this picture.

Remember to laugh every. Happy trails. Stay safe.

Tour of Shipshewana

Got up around 8:30….Fred too.   While John was surfing the web and reading blogs I made some cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  We have not had that in a while so I thought it would be a nice change.  I know I know …..this is not diet food. LOL

Our plan for today was to drive over to Shipshewana, IN and tour the Amish village.   On the way we saw numerous Amish people in transit with horse and buggies.  The first thing we did was take a 30 minute horse and buggy tour in an Amish buggy with an Amish tour guide.  His narration was interesting and the scenery was beautiful.  Our horse was so slow….we were passed by vehicles, people on bicycles and other horse and buggies.

This was Elliot.  He was the horse for the 7 minute tours.

Elliot waiting for people to load.

Barn with buggy parked inside.  We saw a  lot of these.

Buggy parked in driveway right next to a modern day basketball goal.  Seemed ironic to me. 

Most of the yards were landscaped like this one.  Beautiful flowers.

Area for buggy parking in the shopping village.

Hey look a miniature horse.  Now I might could ride that. LOL

After our horse and buggy tour we were off to find lunch.  Our choice was The Blue Gate Restaurant.  John ordered the Amish sampler plate.  It was loaded with fried chicken, pork roast, roast beef, potatoes and gravy, dressing, steamed carrots and a garden salad. Needless to say, that is a man’s meal.  I had the chicken pot pie lunch special with applesauce.  No room for dessert. We left the restaurant and walked through some of the shops in the village.  John found a lapboard for his dulcimer in the music shop.  The clerk was able to answer a lot of his questions regarding tuning and such.

The weather was still in the low 70’s today so we sat outside tonight.  John played the dulcimer for a little while and then we both sat outside and read until one of the neighbor campers came over.  We visited with him for a bit then came in before it got dark and bugs came out.

Remember to laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.