 |
| Countryside of Shipshewana, IN |
A bonus for adventurous travelers is to discover a special place you weren't aware even existed. We are fortunate enough to spend an unusually interesting month in Shipshewana, Indiana, a heavily populated Amish community located east of South Bend.
 |
| Shipshewana South Campground Beautiful rural countryside |
Our campground's central location made it easy for us to visit outlying areas and at the same time enjoy seeing the beauty of the countryside and a simple way of life carried on by the Amish of Indiana.
 |
| Amish Traffic - Shipshewana, Indiana |
 |
| Amish traffic Shipshewana, Indiana |
 |
| Farms are productive and carry on years of traditional farming methods. |
 |
| Horse and Buggy is the Amish mode of transportation |
 |
| Not unusual to see draft horses ploughing the farmlands or traveling on the roads |
Our visit to Shipshewana brought unexpected surprises every day. We've been here long enough so we're not surprised to hear the clicketty-clop of hooves as a black buggy and horse pass by our campground, or whenever we see 4 draft horses and a farmer ploughing a large plot of land. We've been here long enough to admire the Amish simplicity of life and love of family.
The communities we visited were stitched together and welcomed us with their uniqueness. The unhurried rural Amish life is woven together with urban distinctive downtowns filled with craft breweries and great restaurants, fascinating museums and historic places, eclectic shops and live entertainment.
Part of our exploration of Northern Indiana included historical and unique cities like South Bend, Nappanee, Middlebury, Topeka, LaGrange, Elkhart, Mikawasa, Wakamusa and Goshen, all within driving distance of our home base campground.
 |
| Entegra Coach Manufacturing Middlebury, Indiana |
 |
| Coachmen Industries Elkhart, Indiana |
While we explored the RV Capital of the World, Elkhart, Indiana, we found the huge manufacturing facilities of Entegra Motorhomes and Jayco Industries in Middlebury, IN. A trip to northern Indiana wouldn't be complete without a visit to the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana.
 |
| RV/MH Hall of Fame Elkhart, Indiana |
We arrived at the beginning of the planting of the Quilt Gardens and Mural Sites along the Elkhart County Heritage Trail. We could only imagine what a couple of weeks will do to the carefully planned 18 Quilt - inspired Gardens and the 21 hand painted, quilt themed, supersized murals.
 |
| Nappanee Quilt Garden Coppes Commons |
The beautiful historic town of Middlebury appears to be the ideal community and reminds you of small town America and also offers the Quilt Garden at the Krider World's Fair Garden.
 |
| Krider World's Fair Garden Quilt Garden |
 |
| Middlebury, Indiana Main Street |
Our month long stay seemed to pass by so fast. We felt so fortunate to spend time and slow down to another pace of living. We move into Michigan for a few days and plan on visiting the spectacular 90 acre Gilmore Car Museum, near Kalamazoo, MI. This is north America's largest car museum and Michigan's #1 attraction!
