Small Amish-Mennonite community of Grabill, Indiana

We are in NE Indiana. That means we can explore some Amish areas in northern Indiana or as we found, some that aren't far from Fort Wayne. This was one beautiful day in July in Grabill (Gray-bill). I found the Country Shops of Grabill. Three floors and multiple buildings interwoven of wonderful treasures.  Old, not too old and new. Just wish we had room in the RV to hold some.

How many Flea Markets do you know that have not one, but two hand-hewn canoes?

Minor Upgrades to the Suite

We've found making upgrades is a process. We have the Suite almost just the way we want it. This time we ordered an RV Stained Glass window. Kathy Magarelli, from RVStainedGlass.com did an outstanding job. She made it quickly and shipped it safely to us. We ordered the extra plexi to protect it from the elements.

As soon as we could, I had hubby install it on our door at the Campground. When the sun shines in through the window, the red lights up our kitchen. Very pretty.

 

Then we added new step covers in blue to match.

 

 

 

Next we did some things in the Interior. Additional shelves in cabinets are always a necessity. I also needed some in the walk-in closet.


New curtains to keep the sun and heat out. Also helps in the Winter when the cold wind is blowing. Still have two large windows to redo. The insulated ones from Wal-mart just don't match the interior. But when you are in a hurry, you have to use what you can get locally.  

 

While in Indiana, we found we wanted a sofa instead of just one recliner in the rear of the RV. Looked up in Shipshewana at Amish Furniture stores, but couldn't find what we wanted. So after we moved to a new RV Park south of Fort Wayne (Bluffton), we stopped into Ossian Furniture and found a beautiful jean blue Palliser's sofa. I measured and re-measured to make sure it would fit when the slides come in. Had it delivered and it looks great with our Americana décor.  So comfortable, that I think we'll be looking at their Loveseat to match once the Lazyboy recliners wear out.

 

Retirement Home

This time last year, we were still finalizing some custom changes on our new retirement home. Getting closer to SS age, made us realize that it was now or never to order a new 2014 Suite.

So working with Alicia @Rolling Retreats in Elk City, OK, we settled on a new floorplan and then reconsidered all the options we had on our 2009 and made as many upgrades as our budget could afford. As it was being built, they would send up photos of our unit. Did it make it easier or tougher, am not really sure. But it was a long wait, since they seemed to get very busy last Fall and were trying to keep up with the demand. Took at least a month longer than our previous Suite to take possession.

Unfortunately, the delays meant we were getting into Winter weather. So when we picked up our unit the week before Thanksgiving. Left Dodge City on a sunny day. Then the wind started. By the time we arrived at the dealership, we encountered strong frigid cold wind that made the process of transferring our items from one Suite to the other a big headache. By the next morning, the rain had turned to Ice, then Snow on top of the Ice the following day. So we were trapped on the dealer's lot living in our new RV.

Finally, after 3 days of Winter, the sun came out and melted everything enough to leave.

 

Get the Heck out of Dodge City, KS

After finishing up a short project near St Louis, MO, we thought we were going to head south for the Winter. But as usual, the Employer had other plans. Two days before we were scheduled to leave MO and head to TN, they needed to shift around their Superintendents. So, we were sent to Dodge City, KS.

We arrived on Thursday after a one night stay in Junction City, KS. Apparently, they had a snowstorm earlier in the month, but we missed it, but it was still fairly cold on Saturday for a visit to the Boot Hill Museum.

But we learned a little history from the Long Branch Saloon keeper. Boot Hill Cemetery was not where anyone famous was buried. In fact, it was closed in 1879 and most of the remains were moved to a new cemetery not too far away. It was full of buffalo hunters, drifters and others with no family in the area. One sign said, Here lies..., she died of a scalp infection from a laceration received in a barroom brawl. The last remains found was probably 30 years ago when they did some digging for a new ramp up to a new section of the Museum.

Sunday, we relaxed and winterized with a new Electric hose, 100# Propane bottle and watched the Ice Cream Truck drive by behind us as temps reached 82deg.

It will definitely work in our favor coming to Kansas. We should be able to drive the 2009 Suite down to OK and pick up our new 2014 sometime next month. A day's drive is much better than 2-4 days.

Entrance

Here Lies...

Made in New Haven, CT

Bank

Old Town buildings, part of museum

Long Branch Saloon, we didn't order any sarsaparilla.

Old blacksmith shop - from 1800's 

New RV - Downsizing (?)

We were recently up in Bloomington, MN working. Yes, it's the home of the Mall of America, but we didn't really have time to go see it with busy work schedule. But we did have time to go to quite a few RV Dealers on the weekend to see some 2013-14 RV's we hadn't seen before.

We started by driving to Anoka/Ramsey to look at Tiffin 36-38' Motorhomes. Nice, but not us. While there, we also looked at shiny new Airstream TT's and a Class B. They all had high price tags and we weren't looking at downsizing that small just yet.

While there, we knew just down the road was a dealer that carried Triple E Class C's. Known for their 4-season insulation, we had to stop in. One feature we really liked was the MB- Murphy Bed Option. One had just arrived 2 days before. Living space by day, sleeping by night, very tempting. But again, it would mean some space sacrifices.

Then another free Saturday weekend, decided to check out Truck Campers. So it was off to Ham Lake to see a Lance 1172. Very nice, but not in place of our beloved Suite. But while we were that far north, we stopped at an Arctic Fox dealer to see what they had for TC's. Better prices, but not the same Wow Factor with some of the features and finishes.

Finally, I was looking at DRV Luxury Suite dealers in the area. The one in Ramsey didn't have a new Mobile Suite Estates, so I extended my range and found a dealer in Elk Mound, WI that had a 2014 Mobile Suite Estates in the same floor plan we already own. So the next cool Saturday, it was off for a Road Trip on the Laura Ingles Wilder Memorial Hwy.

Even without power, we could tell that this new 2014 features were a big improvement over our 2009. They also carry another high end line called Lifestyle. So we got to compare them side by side. Then we took a brochure, talked about trading and set up an appointment for them to come to MN to evaluate our unit.

Then as we always do on the long drive home, we talked about what we did and didn't like. Hate this window, hate the countertop, don't like the furniture, don't need an electric step and on and on. So I composed an email to the WI dealer and another in OK and asked for quotes. WI dealer couldn't guarantee us that it would be finished by early November, so we decided to work with one in OK.

So on the very last day of July, after getting approved for a loan, we put in our order. Not downsizing but upgrading. We tweaked the order a few times, added and subtracted. But finally, in 2 days, our 2014 (1/2) 38RSB3 will go on the production line.  We are so excited, because we ordered right before some of the new changes will be added. While we thought we might miss out, we are just in time to get a few of them added to our unit. Yippee!

Once again, it will truly be custom and it will have the best of the best features. At least the ones we will get the most use out of...
Pictures to follow.

My bad. I can see where I have neglected my Blog for well over a year.

Hmmm, let me think, what have we been up to. Probably adding photos to Facebook, rather than on this blog. But we haven't stopped traveling or building Chick-fil-A's.

Here's a list of the 4 David has done since 2010.

*Pasadena, MD - stayed at Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD until early April 2011

*OFallon, MO - stayed at Sundermier RV Park in St Charles, MO until mid Sept. 2011

*Wentzville, MO - stayed at Sunrise RV Park in Moscow Mills until early Feb. 2012

*San Antonio, TX - staying at Traveler's World RV Resort until late July

That makes in the last 85 mos of fulltiming: 15- CFA's, 2- Love's Travel Centers, 2- Longhorn Steakhouses.

So what sights have we seen? Will leave that for other posts with photos. But here's where we are right now. Right on the San Antonio River. This is a photo of the progress on the trails that are an extension of River Walk.

Updates on our Suite

In September, on our side trip to Indiana, we had some repairs (new awnings over the slides) and upgrades done at Indiana Interstate Enterprises in Howe, IN. We now have the 2011 Buffet/Dinette table. It fits perfectly next to our LazyBoy recliner loveseat.

Paul Cross had the cabinet maker for DRV make it up. It is a perfect match. It was installed at Paul's shop. Adds wonderful new storage and helps keep me organized.

After seeing the 2011 Suites with a larger LCD in the bedroom, we removed our 19" Sansui and added a 26" VIZIO LED-LCD.  David attached with an articulating arm to the sidewall of the interior of the cabinet. It sits on the outside of the opening, but is movable so I can access the upper cabinet. He also added foam bumpers on sides of the TV for traveling. A bungee cord holds in place- Just in Case.

Thanksgiving is now over and time for our Tree to go up. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to ALL.

Side trip to Indiana

We took a side trip to Indiana to get some upgrades and repairs done to the 5th wheel. Overall, very pleased with the work. Was also a nice mini-vacation exploring Amish and RV country in Howe, Elkhart and Shipshewana, IN. We had been there just over 2 years ago and had taken the DRV Suite Factory Tour. But as always, we learned a few new things and saw the upgrades that are being added to new Suites.

Finished products: Select, Mobile and Elite Suites

Installing slide-out

We ate at the Blue Gate Restaurant 2 days in a row. Very good both days. And it's always fun to share a meal and so we basically had 4 different ones between the 2 of us. We also had time to visit the Shipshewana Flea Market. Gave us plenty of walking to work off the calories.

The RV Hall of Fame had a few different displays this visit. Always love looking at the really old RV's thinking how lucky we are to have all the comforts of home. Especially when this is Amish country and Amish buggies and bicycles are a common mode of transportation.

An early Truck Camper

Sites around Erie, PA and Conneaut, OH

Before we left NE Ohio, we made sure we saw a few more sites. Ashtabula County in Ohio has many covered bridges in various states of use and repair. We picked up a brochure and went on one that went right by the jobsite. We had a perfect day for weather and kept meeting up with other's following the same route.

Conneaut, OH also has a small RR Museum. So we stopped in after the Bridge Tour, since they have limited hours. Was free, but donations are appreciated.

Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH

We took a day trip on a hot Saturday to the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. We had driven past it on our route from the RV Park in NC to PA. So knew we had to go at least once while we were in the area. We had been to Akron to the Camping World Store before. But the first time it had snowed on us and then we did a last minute Rush trip for a new clothes dryer. So we planned to go a day when we could spend as much time as needed.

Front Entrance

It was fairly crowded, but we went early enough that we saw everything without spending too much at the NFL Store. Then we drove a few Exits north for a nice lunch. The displays were extensive and David had plenty of opportunities to relive Football history. The Museum is divided in sections. Am not sure which part I enjoyed most, Early Football memorabillia, Helmet displays or the entire roomful of Bronze Busts. Many of the busts looked lifesize. Others looked much smaller than normal.

making of a bust

Joe Namath's knee brace.

David in front of the Lombardi Trophy.

The case full of Superbowl rings was massive. Some quite gaudy and some quite attractive. Sure were lots of diamonds.

Just one of the hundreds of rings.