Are We There Yet?

After four nights at the Newmar factory in Nappanee, Indiana, hoping to get into service, we cut our losses and left town.  We had requested a service appointment back at the first of September, but due to a delay by the Newmar estimating department an appointment was not able to be made. We were encouraged to drop by and hope for a cancellation, so we did so, since Newmar provides several sites with hook-ups for customers (and potential customers). We spent the first three nights in an overflow area without sewer connections, getting up at 5:00 am in hopes of a knock at our door, and then moved to a full-hookup site for the last night so we could clean out our holding tanks and enjoy the ability to do laundry!

We didn't want to venture too far from our motorhome in case a service opening suddenly appeared, but we did have the chance to drive about 50 miles to Valparaiso, IN, to have lunch at the Industrial Revolution. We have eaten there in the past, and enjoyed the food and the decor. Decorated with all manner of tradesmen in an industrial iron sort of way, the restaurant has a lot of interest. This concrete finisher has been working on the entry slab just a mite too long!

Another day we drove a few miles north to Shipshewana, IN, to visit Yoder's Meat Shoppe. The butcher shop is without peer, with old-fashioned butchers cutting meat to order. We always try to pick up a couple of pork chops, since they can be custom cut a bit thicker than in most stores. They also have a wide variety of bulk foods, and old-fashioned items like this display of Bubble Up! Haven't seen that in awhile!

Our third and last day at the factory was spent doing the wash, cleaning up a bit, and prepping to hit the road, which we did early on Saturday morning. Fifty-five miles west on US 6, a fairly good two lane highway, got us to the 80/90 Interstate. I say fairly good because we crossed a set of railroad tracks that ran at about a 45 degree angle to the road, and the resulting rolling motion had us going down the road like a pinball! After a stop for checking our condition (like Willie Nelson says: We needed "to see what condition our condition was in". We had to tighten a few nuts and bolts, but otherwise we were in fine shape, and soon got on the interstate to run with the Big Boys.

Two hundred and thirty seven miles west, we pulled into Geneseo Campground, site 1. This is a small, rustic campground, with smaller sites, but Sheri and her husband are very friendly and informative and put us in the best site in the place. With a bit of adjustment we have full satellite access, local TV stations, and free Wifi!

Having gained an hour due to the change from EDT to CDT, we had enough time to cruise the neighborhood. One of the things we found is the Hennepin Canal Parkway, Lock 24. As you know by now, we have a penchant for exploring old canalways, so we had to check this out. There is a great little park alongside the canal lock, and Sasha spotted a pure white squirrel getting ready to jump into a nearby tree! So now we've seen black squirrels, brown squirrels, and white squirrels!

The original wood lock gates are still in place and cracked a bit to allow some water flow. It's incredible to see equipment that has been in place since the 1800's!

The downstream gates are also ajar. A railroad bridge has been built over the canal; ironic, since the railroads put the canals out of business….

A long canal trail is maintained for the enjoyment of hikers and bikers. A great place to "get away".

Note: I've discovered that the campground is immediately adjacent to another portion of the canal….something else to check out on one of Sasha's walks!