Hello from KK, our IL home for the next 3 weeks! Been a busy 3-day whirlwind but fun time in Shipshewana, IN and today, the 6-hour drive to here!
Tuesday - today Catrina came out of the water and tucked away for the next 9 months. Usually Catrina is the only boat lifted out the day after Labor Day, but this year, there were 3 others, so.....some delays + a bolt broke on the Travel-lift which controlled the steering, so that took an hour to fix. I left at 9:30 and stopped at Coffee Express and on the road to Shipshewana. Mark stayed till Catrina was put away and didn't leave till 2:45.
I got to Shipshewana around 12:20 and brother Bob, Linda, cousin Dick and Mary arrived shortly after - we all met and enjoyed pretzel dogs at JoJo's in the Davis Mercantile shops (these are sooo delicious and have gotten to be a tradition when we meet there).
And then the shopping began.....a few purchases but mostly browsing. Bob bought several puzzles at the Puzzle Store - mind boggling with all they have. As always, Shipshewana is all decked out for fall - just awesome!
Some of the beautiful fall decor around town...
Mark, Pat, Dick, Mary, Linda, Bob
And there was so much more...
I picked Mark up at the campground and by the time he had Flo set up and changed clothes, it was 6:15 till we met up with the others. We all enjoyed the wonderful buffet of Amish food at Blue Gate (another tradition). Back to the hotel where they stayed (very close to our campground) and played SkyJo with Mark the winner. We were all tired and almost 10 when we said good night and we headed back to Flo.
Dick, Mary, Linda, Bob, Mark
Rousing game of SkyJo
Wednesday - we stopped at Koffie Haus for a latte for me and onto meet the others at their hotel for breakfast - another all-you-eat array of delicious Amish food. The table beside us sat "John Denver" (aka Chris Collins). Mary had noticed him the night before at dinner and pretty sure it was him. We hit more shops for the next 2 hours (in the rain), picked up some popcorn from the Shipshewana Popcorn Co which is WOW......sooo many delicious flavors.
Dick, Mary, Linda, Bob, Mark
Big decision as to which flavor popcorn to buy
Dick wearing his "Dolly" shirt
1:00 and time for the John Denver Tribute Show at Blue Gate Music Theater. We all thoroughly enjoyed this 1.5 hour show - very entertaining with "John" and 3-piece band. Extra special was the huge screen behind the band showing scene after scene throughout the show of the Colorado beauty - REALLY neat!!!!
Mary, "John" and Dick
After the show, Dick and Mary had their picture taken with "John" and then we were off to the country and some favorite stores from a year ago. "Joyfully Said" and the Essenhaus all in Middlebury. We had dinner at "West on Warren" where we ate one year ago.....very good again!
Linda, Mary, Pat, Mark, Dick and Bob
Back to their hotel and another game of SkyJo which Mark won AGAIN and then the guys beat the girls 1 game of euchre (but it was close). Said our good byes - we'll see them next week when we're in Mendota.
Thursday - we had Flo all ready to leave and went to the Blue Gate bakery for pastries. Back to the campground and off we went at 9:30. LONG day of travel with 2 stops. Happy to be back on central time and get that hour back. Good to see Micci here at KK and catch up - she said they've had so much rain and occasional flooding.
Anne came out around 5 and we were off to Busy Corner for lots of gabbing and good supper. She is one busy gal and so enjoying her boys.
Our dear Anne
As John Denver sang......"It's good to be back home again"!!!
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