Speaking Volumes

Elkhart, IN is home to beautiful farmland, a large Amish and Mennonite population and is the RV Capital of the World. Many brands of RV are manufactured and also sold in Elkhart. We had hopes that we would be able to visit some plants, see the RV's made, with possible purchase in mind for the future. The best laid plans...The major RV dealer, Keystone, had planned a dealer only trade show for the week of our visit. Many of the tours were suspended. Though dealers were invited for the show, there was no indication of this event on any of the RV websites prior to our trip. This also made lodging a premium as dealers from all over the country were converging on Elkhart. Fortunately two smaller dealers did hold tours. Believe it or not it is fascinating to see an RV built from trailer bed up. We also visited The National RV Hall of Fame which I didn't know existed until we decided to visit Elkhart. Even if you've never camped or considered a trailer or RV, this museum is worth the trip The senior ticket price of $6 is minimal to view this excellent display of trailers and RV's dating back to the early 1900's. Each trailer is presented in a natural setting and props are appropriate to the season; in this case, autumn. You can walk through most units and it really is a superior display. The museum also houses an excellent library and current showcase of new RV's. The second floor consists of pictures honoring the inductees to the Hall of Fame which is described as such"

"Shortly after the RV/MH Heritage Foundation was formed in March 1972, the Foundation honored the inaugural class of inductees into the RV/MH Hall of Fame. Since that time 322 industry pioneers and leaders have joined the elite group."

Elkhart and surrounding towns were also participating in a Quilt Garden Tour. This seasonal tour includes 17 large-scale living quilts gardens consisting of flowers that make up the quilt patterns and also 17 quilt murals. These have been on display since Memorial Day running through October 1st. The ones we saw were absolutely stunning. For instance the one at Das Dutchman Essenhaus Inn And Conference Center, Middlebury planted The Weathervane Garden Quilt which was 40'x60'. an area of 2,400 sq. feet. It contained over 8,688 flowers, Safari Mix Marigolds, Silver Lace Dusty Miller, Hawaii Blue Ageratum, Hot Line Red Salvia and Yellow Boy Marigolds. Das Dutchman's Mural was a Double Wedding Ring pattern and was 14'x14 and took 25 hours to create.


The Amish and Mennonite Community was very welcoming and much less commercial than Lancaster, PA. We did enjoy a traditional Amish meal at Das Dutchman and went to the Shipshewana Amish Flea Market in the town with the same name. The flea market is held every Tuesday and Wednesday and has a nice blend of farmer's market, antique and new goods. I bought the best sourdough bread and triple berry jam which made my lunch that day. We bought excellent gala apples and a peach pie for munching on the road; very reasonable and very good. We stopped at a bulk Amish Market adjacent to the flea market. I couldn't believe the great deals here. It was neat to park besides the horse and buggies and fun to shop side by side with the Amish residents. This market is family owned and is heralded as "Trader Joe's for the Amish". We must have spent over an hour going up and down the aisles.

Eventually we made it to French Lick, Indiana, home of Pluto Water. Two grand resorts are located here, The French Lick Springs Resort: America's Grand Dame, and West Baden Hotel. In their heyday they were the place to go for many of the railroad barons. The wealthy and their families came to French Lick for rest and relaxation and the benefits of their mineral springs which turned out to have more of a laxative effect than a relaxing one. Pluto Water was like liquid gold. Both resorts have seen major renovations in part due to the Historic Landmarks Foundation and are quite stunning and opulent. It was Pumpkin Festival Time in French Lick and we had some of the best chili at The American Legion Hall which was a bargain at $2.00 but cost my husband the shirt off his back (he left his heavy outer shirt draped over a chair here).

This covers about one week of our two week vacation. Suffice it to say the balance of the 4400 miles was as entertaining. We visited The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and the Wild Turkey Bourbon Distillery, where each person on tour got two small samples of bourbon. All I can say is I'm not a bourbon connoisseur and gladly drank the lemonade instead. We also hit the reopening, after flooding last May, of The Grand Ole' Opry,. In celebration tours were free that day.

One highlight and delight of the trip for me was getting my America the Beautiful Senior Park Pass. I figure if you have to turn 62, then you might as well get the pass which costs $10 and is good for a lifetime, providing free entrance to National Parks and a 50% dscount on many amenities in the Parks.

You need to get the pass in person, so we stopped at Mammoth Caves National Park, Kentucky for me to sign up. Interestingly, this is the only National Park that does not charge an entry fee, part of an agreement made when the land was turned over to the park system. Tours have been conducted since 1816. Our tour was led by Jerry R. Bransford, a fifth generation guide and National Park Ranger. Jerry is the first free man in his family to do tours of the cave and is quite proud to be both guide and ranger.. He was excellent providing both history and stories throughout our tour. At the end he invited any who wanted to see pictures of his family just to ask. I was the only one who did. He brought me to the book store to proudly show me a book that outlines the history of his family and the other men who were slaves at Mammoth Cave. I bought the book, Making Their Mark: The Signature of Slavery at Mammoth Cave and had a nice chat with Mr. Bransford.

We traveled all the way south to Fairhope, AL, a town I have seen mentioned as a great retirement place several times. It surely seems to be with its proximity to Mobile, with artsy shops, lots of senior activities, a beautiful waterfront pier on the bay, a newly expanded Fairhope Public Library, plans for a new convention center, reasonable housing, and its tax friendly structure. Any town that boasts four books stores, including the excellent independent, Page and Palette, Inc., has my vote.

Last stop was Virginia Beach, one of my favorite spots to be. I love sitting on our waterfront balcony watching the dolphins and pelicans glide by or taking a walk or bike ride on the boardwalk. It's a great place any time of year!

There's much to see in our Untied States. Can't wait for the next adventure!

Plan you own adventure with these books:

Go Go America-Dan Yaccarino

The great American attraction : two Brits discover the rollicking world of American festivals-Rich Smith 

1,000 places to see in the U.S.A. & canada before you die-Patricia Schultz