Unexpected gems

8 August 2018

One of the great things about traveling in an RV is finding interesting places along the road you did not know existed.  As we continued to travel south in Indiana on US 31, we saw a sign for the Fulton County Historical Society Museum.  To be honest it did not look like much at first but there was a round barn and other buildings on the site, so we decided to stop and have a look.   The displays in the building consists of materials donated by people living in the county and the city of Rochester, IN.

As you walk thru the inside exhibits, you quickly become aware of the things that the residents felt was worth preserving for future generations.  In the various sections you can see what life was in the not so distant past. 

The out buildings including an original round barn provide an insight into rural life from the late 1800’s on. There are a number of festivals and reenactments during the year.

If you on in the area, it is well worth the visit.

Shipshewana, IN

6, 7 August 2018

Our next destination was Shipshewana, IN to visit the large flea market and enjoy some of the countryside scenery.    On the way there, we made a lunch stop at the Windmill restaurant in Holland, MI   The weather was rainy, but we did manage a quick walk around town.  It is home to the Tulip Festival in May.  One of the highlights is a Dutch style parade with wooden shoe dancers. We enjoyed the festival many years ago but still remember it fondly.  

The Shipshewana area is heavily populated by Amish farms and businesses.  It is also home to   Menno Hof Mennonite Amish visitor Center where you can learn a great deal about their history and culture.

Our first night we stayed at the Shipshewana South campground, where we have stayed several times before.  While there, we learned that the campground at the flea market has expanded and now includes an RV service center.  After checking it out, we decided to spend the second night there.  This allowed us to visit the flea market and return to the RV several times while we explored the flea market and adjacent Dutch market and small shopping mall.

The next morning, we drove through the country side taking in the rural scenery as we continued to head south.