Last Call

April 17, 2018 Weather in Indianapolis is sunny, high of 53 and low of 35.    We are stopped for the night just to stage ourselves to travel north to Mishiwaka for an 11:30 am coach appointment.  Our camp for tonight is the KOA East Indianapolis, it is a large park so we did not bother calling ahead to reserve.  It is cold spring weather in the northern states. 

Indianapolis East KOA

April 18 & 19, 2018  Weather is still cool to cold high 48 or 50 and low of 30.    We left an hour ahead of the normal travel time to get to Mishawaka from Indianapolis.  Good thing we did.  Traffic was a parking lot on I465 bypass.  We had 12 miles and it took us almost 1 hour!!!!  Ughhh.  Tip:  next time we will go up to Elkhart area and camp.  It took us almost 4 hours to get there all because of the bottleneck in Indianapolis at work rush hour.  
Cummins Crosspoint is an Engine Service Depot only, nothing else on the coach.  Billy feels they are very well trained and competent so we wanted to stop on our way home.  After we stopped about 45 minutes away in lovely Shipshewana South Campground.  This time we did call ahead, not because we were worried about getting a site..... but that they would be open.  They open April 15 and it is weather permitting.  Once again we got lucky and they were just open and the water is on.

Walking over to the Mennonite Event Center

We are staying a couple of nights just to give Ontario one more day to warm up, pretty please!  Last night in Shipshewana it actually snowed at some point, when the sun came out this morning it melted away - Really Mother Nature, give it up..... please.

Shipshewana South Campground

Shipshewana South Campground is so convenient, nice long sites and big and quiet.  We have been here many times before and we can walk to everything, groceries, shops, restaurants and more in town.

Signs to caution you for the Horse and Buggy

This Amish town is so sweet and lovely.   Food is wonderful, and almost all the RV`s are built in the factories around here. 

Horse and buggy and Trailer on the main street

You will see horse and buggies or trailers on the roads everywhere.  It is a great spot to call our last call.

What to do at a Mtce Rally?

May 4 -10/17  Weather  has recovered but the temperatures are about 10 to 15 degrees F below normal.  Days are just into the 50's and we had 2 nights of frost but it is only 40ish at night for the next few days.  Is it because the winter was so mild in the north the spring is begrudgingly here? 

entering the Elkart Fairgrounds, beautiful spring flowering tree by their emblem

Vendor building and new coach display

there we are - 1st one on the right in the long row

The Elkhart 4H Fairgrounds are a great place for a Rally.  Facilities can accommodate huge numbers, I think they said there were about 350 coaches here this year.  Below will be a few pics of the camping.  It is very organized and everyone has full hookups, just no cable TV.   The week cost $245 and they feed you breakfast daily, lunch at least 5 times, 2 dinners and an ice cream social.  Everything you want serviced on your coach happens right at your campsite.  It is so convenient.  The REV Group that owns Monaco, Holiday Rambler, American Coach, Fleetwood and Beaver will service 2 items on your motorhome for free labour, you pay the parts.  We had a new swing arm on the door and a new step motor installed.   Billy had the parts waiting.  2 technicians were on it for 1 hour so at $100 an hour there is $200 we recovered.  Then we had another fix on our topper awnings, springs put in last year were readjusted for free by the service shop.  Another 1 hour with 2 guys at $200.  We will also have our generator serviced by Cummins Crosspoint and a new heating element put in our hot water heater.  In the days there are seminars from 9 am to 4 pm on all kinds of topics.  Billy went to a TV tips and tricks and info while I went off to a Convection/Microwave cooking class.  Most functioning equipment on the coach is covered in a seminar.  Fire Safety, Aqua hot, furnaces, hot water heaters, TV, roofs, toppers and awnings, electricity.  and much more.  This year we tried to take in the ones we didn't get to last year.   It might take a few more years to really cover all the topics. 

more camping inside the horsetrack (we were there last year)

driver training for co-pilots, the teacher and driver wear microphones to talk to each other

sign in one of the motorhomes - priceless!!!

Smells like Texas Pecans in here

April 10/17  Warm, hazy day.  Storm front coming in by end of day.  We traveled to Indiana and stopped at Indianapolis today and hooked up at 3 pm before the rain came in about 5:30.  We also jumped ahead 1 hour; 2 pm was actually 3 pm, now back on Ontario time.  On the east side of Indy is a nice park, Indianapolis East KOA.  There is a MickeyD's right across the street so we can pop over for a ice cream cone.  Tonight while getting my morning coffee ready I noticed that I only have one Texas Pecan Coffee Beans bag left!!!!!   Oh no!   Spirit Wind Java in Ingram, Texas has the best coffee in the whole world.  There are pecans roasted with the coffee.   When you grind the coffee the whole motorhome smells heavenly....  then the next morning the coffee brewing smells even better.  It is my favourite treat in Hill Country.  Good thing they ship globally.  I'm never going to be able wait a whole year for Texas PecanCoffee.

One bag left

Time Capsule for RV's

Oct 18/16  Weather 74, low 51.  Showers threatened but never materialized. 
Lucky for us as we went out for a ride to a museum we had read about in many of the camping magazines.  The RV/Motorhome Hall of Fame and Museum. 

RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart, Indiana

Northern Indiana is a mecca for RV assembly plants and spin off suppliers so it is  fitting that there is a museum nearby to show the history.   There are about 60 units housed here from 1913 - 20's, 30's, 50's, 60's, 70's.  It is a walk back in time. Interesting to see some innovations still being used in flashy new RV's today .

The neat thing is that you are welcome to go inside almost every displayed camper or motorhome.  All in their original or restored state.

Before we get back we stopped for a bit of lunch and it turned out to be an all day breakfast place that made incredible stuffed french toast - Billy's favorite. 

stuffed french toast, and lots of whip cream

Do you know what is missing in the photo below,,,, of our coach parked in our campsite?  I will tell you - the slides are all in.   The pine needles are coming down like a snow storm, so instead of trying to clean out all the toppers we are not opening them.  Pretty site, the pine trees are super tall.

really tall pines surround us - look at the ground, it is a carpet of pine needles

Our campground for these couple of days is KOA Southbend/Elkhart.  We have a day off  in between appointments between Elkhart Sales & Service and Cummins Crosspoint. 

Plain might be Better

October 14-16/2016.  Weather - it has been a warm fall in Ontario.  A couple of nights we had close to frost and then last night it was a hard ground covering frost!  Oh boy; that means it's time to hitch up and go.  Remember we are in the 2- 30 club.   We either go 230 miles or are off the road at 2:30 pm.  Today was just a tick under.   Crossed the Ambassador Bridge at Windsor/Detroit and checked in at Shipshewana South Campground about 2:30.   I know we are so comfy with that!  

The Amish farms are so clean and neat. 

Not in a buggy but on their bicycles - The Amish are very Eco Friendly

Last spring we were in Northern Indiana area but were unable to ride the motorcycle as it rained on and off the whole week.  We just had to come back.

Amish farmers at work

It is such a "plainly" beautiful area.  Plain as in a peaceful, simpler way of life.  Saturday in Ontario is a bustling hectic day.  Those that work all week are out shopping and doing their errands.   Not here.    Most merchants we visited today were closed by Saturday noon and will be Sunday as well; in fact we it took us a while to find a place to stop and have a bite to eat this afternoon.  Small town America, we love it!  Northern Indiana knows how to enjoy a weekend.  I think we could learn something from this???

Pumpkin Tree on the Main Street in Wakarusa .  Sign says "No Roundabout"

We found a tourist book that highlighted the "Heritage Trail".   It meanders through the countryside following this route: Shipshewana, Bristol, Middlebury, Elkhart, Wakarusa, Nappanee, Goshen and back to Shipshe, about 90 miles.  You can see the Amish in daily life, explore the markets, view the Quilt Gardens, and step back in time.   Plain might not only be beautiful but actually be better:)

Flowers planted in the pattern of a Quilt.  There are about 30 gardens on the Heritage Trail.

Diesel Pushers Mtce Rally - Holiday Rambler 419 Club

April 28 to May 5/16   Weather was pretty much the worst we have had in 5 years of being on the road.  6 out of 7 days were cold, rainy, damp, cloudy, wet, muddy, not fit for a duck actually.  1 day sunny and lovely.  The Elkhart 4H Fairgrounds is a perfect spot for this Rally due to the location.  It is central to all the RV vendors and manufactures.

BUT; and that's a big but, the inclement weather really didn't matter.  We spent hours at technical seminars that were full of excellent information.  Cummins Diesel Engines, Allison Transmissions, Atwood Furnace and Hot Water Heaters, Norcold Refrigerator, Stone Vos Toppers and Awnings, Convection/Microwave Oven, Coach Exterior,  and we sat in on similar to us Coaches Roundtable Discussions.   To make it even better we had 3 maintenance procedures/parts performed right at our campsite by competent RV industry vendors.  For example Cummins came right to our campsite to complete an Oil Change and filters.   How convenient is that?

There were 224 coaches at the Holiday Rambler 419 Mtce Rally of which 64 were sister coaches.  A sister coach is Monaco, Fleetwood, Beaver, American Coach, and Safari.  All brand names of their own at one time and in the tough times each were bought out by a succession of companies.  The current parent company is REV RV Group in Decatur, Indiana.  

Everyday breakfast and lunch was provided, a couple of night socials with appetizers, an ice cream social and a closing dinner.  All sponsored by The REV RV or vendors.  There were also new and used coaches for viewing and for sale.  Some local manufacturing plant tours were also available of which we took a free bus ride to REV to see the 2017 Motorhomes being built.  

We met some reputable vendors that we will be able to use in the future for all maintenance.  This will be beneficial to us as it's not easy to find competent and experienced RV shops that are logistically within a day's drive for us.

Best of all the Holiday Rambler Club was so friendly.  Everyone went out of their way to make us feel included.  We were so impressed.  Our 2017 registration is already filled out and ready to send off.  Until next year........  Thankyou HR Club. 

Rally On

April 28/16  Weather 55, rainy, cool at night 43.  Seems the weather is going to be like this right thru the weekend.   We moved 17 miles today; oh yes it was a really big day!

checkin at the Rally

Registration day starts at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds for the  Holiday Rambler 419 Chapter Diesel Pusher Maintenance Rally.  The fairgrounds are in Goshen, Indiana which happens to be in the heartland of the RV factories and suppliers.   Holiday Rambler and Monaco are in the same company umbrella so we were able to come to the Rally as a sistership member.  Billy reads a Monaco Forum Group daily where the members ask and answer questions related to our motorhome.   A technical question we had was answered not long ago by a gentlemen who suggested we attend this Rally since the theme is "maintenance".

We are being escorted to our site in the Racetrack infield

 There are about 250 coaches in attendance and we are escorted to the racetrack camping area where we have water/sewer/power.  Unfortunately or maybe fortunately when we plugged in the power we had a technical situation.   Well if we have to have a problem this is the right time and the right place.   Everyone was so helpful from the moment we tried to setup.

All kinds of guys trying to help us out

The HR fellows never left Billy.   They went and got technical help immediately from one of the Vendors.  Our power at the surge protector had to be bypassed for the night while the part was ordered and being expedited in.  
The thing about RVing is that you meet the nicest people in the world.  Tonight at   the social hour we found friends we had made at a previous rally in Nevada.   It was so good to see them, just like yesterday:)  That's what makes our life so great.

Rally friends

Ship She

April 27/2016  Weather cool, sunny high of 55, storm coming tonight, low of 42

Billy pulling our cargo trailer around the farm

We have had a busy 10 days at the farm.   Our chores are caught up and the gardens are in good shape now for Mom to start her season.    This spring Billy has been very interested in heading to Indiana for a Holiday Rambler 419 Diesel Motorhome Maintenance Rally; so away we go for the week.  It's suppose to rain all day Thursday so we decided to leave a day early and drive while the weather is nice.

Happy Tulips blooming along the street in Shipshewana

Just a half hour before our final destination is Shipshewana so we thought that would be a perfect spot to stay over; then tomorrow we just have a short jump to the Rally.   Shipshewana South Campground is a great location to walk around town and explore the beautiful crafty Amish community.

Be cautious for the Horse and Buggy Travellers

The horse and buggy is so beautiful and peaceful

After hooking up the coach we walked down the street to enjoy a home cooked meal.  It's really nice to walk from your campground to activities.  This town has what they call "Retail Therapy".   In the morning after coffee I'm going to make a quick walk to two quilt shops!!!   Oh yes, this is my kind of town!! Then scoot back and we will head off to the Elkhart County Fairgrounds in Goshen. 

Barn quilts, outdoor chairs and Stars for sale

Now that's a Dollhouse, wouldn't our granddaughter love that? 

It is Green

April 14 & 15/2015  Weather should be above freezing at night from now on????  Safe to head north.  It is spring right:)   Our journey east and north has begun in earnest now, we have medical insurance till April 20 but we don't want to wait till the last day.   Tuesday we traveled from Branson, Missouri to St. Louis, Missouri via I44.  We stopped short of the city at the KOA St. Louis West .   It was a good location to stop before everyone gets off work for the day - in the morning we will take the bypass south of the city.    The temperature was about 67 today a bit overcast and low of  54.   We can handle that.  

Crossing the Mississippi

Barges are busy on the river

The Arch in St. Louis as seen from the bypass I255 east side

From St. Louis we took I70 to Indianapolis.   Changing states as we go across -  Missouri, Illinois, Indiana.   I70 in Illinois has a lot of construction zones.  Many down to 1 lane but no stopped traffic, it kept moving at 45 mph. 
What time is it?  What zone are we in?  And the last time change back!   When we cross into Indiana we will gain an hour.  Arrival at 2:30 will be 3:30.   Once again time to stop before all that work traffic is on the highway.   Tonight we are on the east side of town, at another KOA.... Indianapolis East.    It can be a bit unimaginative to pull into the KOA's on our way across but we feel it is a lot like McDonalds.  You know what your going to get.  The park is always close to the freeway.  The site will be easy in and out.  50 amp - long pull thru.  No trees to contend with.  Back on the road the next day.   Every KOA stay gives you points and we used $25.00 worth against our one night.    Tomorrow we head to Ohio.  It sure is "green" here.   We laugh at that since it is such a change from being in the desert for the last 3 months!