Shipshewana, Indiana

Hello again, a week ago Saturday, August 29, we left Celina, Ohio and traveled to Shipshewana, Indiana, a stopping place on our way back to Charlotte, Michigan. Shipshewana had been recommended to us as a place where there is a large community of Amish and Mennonite people, plus shopping, Amish food and and a slower lifestyle. We arrived Saturday afternoon and by 3PM we ventured out to see what was around the area. When we stopped at the shops we were amazed that they were closing up!!! Yep, 3:30 is closing time on Saturdays for most shops and Sundays EVERYTHING is closed all day, including restaurants. Now, I've heard of rolling up the sidewalks when it gets dark, but 3:30??? We were able to find a small restaurant still open. Nice to see so many Amish and Mennonites eating with their families. Some families drove their buggies right up to the restaurant and others rode their bicycles.

Sunday we had planned on going to church but couldn't find a Church of Christ, but like so many times this summer, we listen to our home church on line, at least we get to see some good friends, their smiles, and then sing along with the congregation and listen to the message.

Monday we visited the Menno-Hof Amish-Mennonite Visitor Center, a place to learn more about the life of the Amish and Mennonite people. It took about a little over an hour to tour the place, some of it conducted by a tour guide and then parts of it was self-guided. Very interesting to learn of the hardships of these people from the time they first lived in Switzerland to when they made their way to America. Their first language is German

We stayed at a RV park right on the grounds of the flea market only opened on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Saturday it was like a ghost town in our rv park, but by Monday almost all the spots were taken so Tuesday before we pulled out we walked through the crowded market. We ended up buying home baked bread, cookies, baskets that were made by handicapped Amish people and Glenna found some Italian Charms to add to her bracelets.

Tuesday afternoon we were back in Charlotte, Michigan for more service work on Wednesday to help correct a overweight problem in the front portion of our coach. Wednesday afternoon we were back in Celina, Ohio to have new shades installed on Thursday and Friday we drove to Wilmington, Ohio for REST AND RELAXATION. No service, no early mornings to get out of the coach....we're free of traveling in circles. I must say I love my new shades.

That's it for now.