~~ Elkhart, Indiana to Shipshewana, IN (HOC RALLY) ~~

~~  Elkhart, Indiana  to Shipshewana, IN (HOC RALLY) ~~

The weather has not changed much since we arrived in Elkhart, IN Sunday April 27th.

We took our rig in for warranty work at 8 am and then Herbie was along with us.  We went and did some errands and then we took a ride over to Shipshewana.  We went to the campground and went and visited with our friends Bernie and Judy and Herbie made himself right at home. Dan and I stopped at the Amish bulk food store and we had a wonderful ice cream come.. Hudsonville Ice cream.. Yummy!!!

It was nice driving the countryside and seeing the fresh born calves and baby horses.  The yards were so nicely green.  We got back to the Service Center only to find out our 5th wheel was not done.  We had to bring it back the next day and they had it all day long again.

Our friends Ralph and Barb drove over from Kouts, IN where they bought a new home.  We met for breakfast and then we went back to Shipshewana so they could do some shopping.  I just love the Amish Bulk food store.. I bought stuff to stock up on.. 

Got back to Elkhart to pick up 5th wheel, only to find out that is still wasn't done.. BELIEVE ME IT WAS NOT A GOOD SCENE!!  I had stayed out in the truck with Herbie for almost 2 hours before Dan came out and hook up the trailer.  It was cold and raining..  Got back to the RV park and Dan went to unhook and level up the trailer and the automatic levelers did not work.  

Friday morning I made breakfast and tried to relax for awhile..  I took Mr. Herbie out for his walk around the park.. He really likes the walk and knows the route.  We went and did some grocery shopping and then later we went out for dinner.. Still raining off and on..

The only good thing about this week is that we have cable and able to watch some of my programs I like..

Sat morning the sun started to come out and then it disappeared.. Cool, windy and grey skies.. Around 5 PM the sun came out..There still are alot of clouds moving around.
MAY 4TH Time to move to Shipshewana Campground for the HOC Rally.  We were the 2nd rig there.  Bernie and Judy were there already. So, we got set up and took a ride.  Hoyt and Mary were on their way and a few more came in on Sunday..

We went out for dinner at a Restaurant not far away.  On Sunday nothing is open in Shipshewana. 

On Monday we went over to E&S bulk foods and picked up a few items. Then we had an ice cream..

MAY 8TH OFFICIAL STARTING DAY OF RALLY

THURSDAY
There was a tour of ARI, which is a company that makes sleepers on Semi Trucks.  The guys were really liked the tour.

FRIDAY-- A breakfast was made for the group by the HOC men.  Bacon, Scrambled eggs, Aretha Frankenstein Pancakes, juice and coffee.. Yummy

There was a tour of the Heartland Plant and also a lunch sponsored by a RV dealer.

We all went to The Blue Gate for a Amish dinner.. Great place and good food.

SATURDAY--Chili cook-off for the Pot Luck


SUNDAY-----Getting things ready to leave for home.


MONDAY --- Left  for home at 6:45 am..  Nice ride, sunny and made it home around 4 PM.  It was nice to pull in our drive and see everything was OK..
Herbie was excited also.. He couldn't wait to get out of truck and run around.  

We have been home for over a week already and we have made alot of important decisions.  A long story short we decided that it was time to move on with our life.  We are putting our home up for sale and we are making plans to move to Tennessee.  Why Tennessee you ask. I have always liked Tennessee, and since we had been stopping in Tennessee to visit my mother on our way home, we have gotten familiar with the area and liked it. It is a very senior orientated area, lower property taxes, and Tennessee does not tax pensions.  The winters are about a month long. 
We don't want to worry about our home up here in the frozen tundra of the north anymore. Dan health isn't allowing him to dig rocks anymore or cutting down trees. (LOL)

So until the next time I send out an update,