The IRV2 Rally officially ended last Friday evening. There were 3 more breakfasts with coffee and donuts and one with fruit, and assorted muffins and pastries,. Daytime activities included many seminars, and tours of nearby RV plants, and there was plenty of time for daytime socialization and evening campfires.
Wednesday, we paired up with Sally and Ken. Our first stop was in Pigeon Creek, MI at Bontrager's RV Surplus to check out any parts that might tempt us, then it was on to Shipshewana to shop at the Flea Market. This event is held every Tuesday and Wednesday and it's huge! We only walked through a small part of it, but found a few bargains to bring home. We ate lunch at the 5&20 Country Kitchen, stopped at the Rise 'n Roll Bakery to enjoy samples and look longingly at the many temptations, and we explored some of the Amish farming areas as we returned to Elkhart. That evening, the rally provided an Elkhart County Cookout with burgers, brats, baked beans, potato salad, mac 'n cheese, chips, and cake. The evening's entertainment was bingo with cash prizes.
Thursday, there were corn hole and Gotcha (a board game) tournaments. We didn't participate in those. The rally organized a group dinner at the Das Duchman Essenhaus in nearby Middlebury. There was a Classic Car Drive-In on the premises as well as Amish shops to visit, followed by a family style dinner. The delicious meal included salad, bread and apple butter, fried chicken, roast beef, dressing, noodles, gravy, corn, drinks and pie.
Friday, we visited the RV/Mobile Home Hall of Fame nearby and spent two hours looking at the assortment of vehicles from times gone by up to the present. Friday evening, there was an an ice cream social and time for many to say farewell.
Saturday, there was a small breakfast gathering to finish up the leftover donuts and close out another great rally. Our Raleigh friends were staying until Sunday, so Saturday evening we all went to a Perkins Restaurant along with a few of the other rally attendees.
Most of this country's RV's are manufactured in this area, as well as many of the RV components. This week is the annual Elkhart Dealer Open House where dealers from all over can look at the new models and place their orders for next year. RV parking areas have sprung up all over the area as each manufacturer wines and dines the dealers in hope of getting their business. This event is not open to the general public, but it's interesting to see so many RV's in one city..
We'll be here at the Elkhart Campground until Sunday. We're getting chores done as well as visiting some of the surrounding towns for business and pleasure. The weather has been great except for one rainy day, and now daytime highs are in the mid-80's. Cooler weather is promised over the coming weekend.
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