The opening of the rally was Sunday evening so on Sunday morning we headed to worship at the First United Methodist Church. The service was rather traditional in nature complete with singing to the accompaniment of a Kimball pipe organ that began life nearly 100 years ago but was added to in the 1960s. There were approximately 120 in attendance with several you parents present as well as several teens. Later we learned that the pastor of this church was the husband of the pastor of another UMC congregation in Escanaba.
One of the first activities for the rally was a “hymn sing” which was attended by more than 150 registrants. Byron led the singing doing his typical job of throwing in historical information about the hymns selected voluntarily from the attendees. Immediately following the hymn sing was a church service. Byron led the singing in that as well.
The photos (above) show the rally attendees at attention as the Flag of the United States of American was brought to the podium. Motorhomes were parked in various locations around the fairgrounds of the Upper Peninsula State Fair.
We both enjoyed the rally. It was our first as Newmar owners and probably won’t be our last. There were people in nearly 400 vehicles (motorhomes and pull-behind RVs) registered. We attended a variety of seminars, checked out the vendor displays, attended social functions (a regional meeting and two meetings for full-timers), and met three couples who happened to be from the Louisville area. In addition to Byron’s musical leadership, Martha worked a few shifts in the fulltimer’s booth handing out free popcorn and lemonade. We both assisted in helping host a catered dinner on the last night of the rally. Some other photos of us, taken by a mystery photographer at the rally, are below.
Checking the message board to see if we had won the lottery.
Bummer – you have to buy tickets.
In case you don't recognize us, we’re on the front row slightly
to the right of center. This was at a session on fulltiming.
From Escanaba we went to Two Rivers, Wisconsin to spend a night. While there we went to a museum which included an ice cream shop. The photo (below) was taken while there.
On Sunday morning we worshipped at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod). During the service the visiting priest, a former pastor of the parish, intoned the chants and sang out quite well on the hymns and responses. Of course, this church stuck pretty close to the Lutheran liturgy which is quite different from the contemporary form; stand for 30 minutes and move mouth while listening to the praise team and raising hands then sit and listen to the minister while watching slides before going out for coffee in the foyer on the way home.
Our next destination was to Mequon, Wisconsin to visit with Jim and Marlys Garman. We had met the Garmans several years ago while owning our classic GMC motorhome and have stayed in contact over the years. Jim and Marlys spend half of the time at their home in Smith’s Grove, Kentucky (north of Bowling Green) and the other half in Mequon, which is north of Milwaukee. Their circular front drive was large enough to accommodate us. Since it was tree-covered, we had more than adequate shade which matched the tremendous hospitality of the Garmans. Since their home is on the Milwaukee River, we took advantage of the opportunity to go on a pontoon ride one beautiful afternoon.
Enjoying lunch at the Crepe and Cream at Cedar Creek Settlement
in Cedarburg, Wisconsin
On the Milwaukee River with Jim and Marlys Garman
While in Mequon we met the mother of our son-in-law, Marynell, who was at a family gathering. She and her husband now live in Jefferson City, Missouri.
After leaving Mequon we headed to Elkhart, Indiana where we were to have some work done on the motorhome. While at the Newmar rally we decided to have new day and night shades put in the cockpit. This involved making a modification to the TV cabinet. Though it took more time and money than we had planned, we do appreciate the enhancement provided by the MCD shades. The motorized windshield shade replaces the visors which were unhandy to operate. The modification made to the TV cabinet looks original since it now houses a new Vizio HD TV instead of the original picture tube style.
On Wednesday we traveled down the road a few miles to Bremen and the Pla-More campground. While there we journeyed around the area looking for a grocery that caters to the Amish community as well as us “English” folks. There we purchased some delicious cheese spread and other items. We also attended the Elkhart County Fair in Goshen with friends we had met at the Newmar rally. On Sunday the four of us attended a Church of the Brethren before having an excellent, family-style meal at Amish Acres Restaurant in Nappanee.
Byron with Newmar friends, Roseanne and Sue, in front of
Union Central Church of the Brethren near Nappanee
The restaurant at Amish Acres in Nappanee is housed
in a barn at the historic farmstead.
Some day we’ll get back for a play in the round barn.
Before leaving Nappanee we took a second tour of the Newmar factory. As it so happens, we encountered a couple we had met at the NKK rally who are from Louisville. Once again, we have proof that it is a small world.
From Elkhart County we drove to Indianapolis for service at Stoops Freightliner. Unlike our last experience in Evansville, the service personnel at Stoops were prepared. In fact, they handled the repair so quickly we barely had time to take advantage of the free laundry facility they had in the driver’s lounge. From the Stoops we traveled a few miles to Camping World in Greenwood to get a Splendide washer/dryer installed. Since the motorhome was plumbed for a combination or separate units, the job was relatively simple for them. After having been without the handiness of that wonderful appliance, it is good to have one again. It beats scheduling a time to take all your clothes to a coin laundry and hanging around until they are done. Besides, the water and electricity expense are covered in campground fee.
After leaving the Indianapolis area we drove to Batesville to spend several days. Batesville is northwest of Cincinnati on I-74 and home of a casket company and other Hillenbrand operations. Our campground was Indian Lakes RV Resort, which is one of the nicer affiliates of Thousand Trails with over 400 sites spread across several acres.
The Indian Lakes RV Resort is unique in that a portion of the property
contains a KOA campground complete with separate branding.
We happened to be in the area for an annual community celebration in Batesville. A part of the entertainment for the event was an antique car show which we enjoyed. We especially enjoyed the display of cars from the middle of the 20th century.
At the auto show in Batesville, cars in stock condition were displayed
in one area while modified units were displayed elsewhere.
This photo shows to originals birthed in 1956,
Martha and the Cadillac.
This photo shows Byron next to a Ford, both have been
modified since their introduction in 1947.
On Sunday we attended the United Church of Christ in Batesville though we set out to attend another church. When we got to the building we saw a sign on the door stating that the service had been moved to the public park and that it had started by the time we arrived. So, we looked for a church with a service starting later. As it turned out this church had a fine organist playing a three-manual organ. And, a visiting musician from a nearby Mennonite church joined with the organist in two piano/organ duets as a part of the service music.
We must say that we do get to meet some very nice people at the churches and campgrounds we visit. For that we are most grateful and trust that God is continuing to bless us in our full-timing journey. And, of course, we see a lot of beauty in each area of the country.
By the way, this is being posted about ten days late. The plan is to post to the blog at least twice a month. That plan may change but, in about a week, we’ll get caught up.
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