July 26 through 31, 2011 Shipshewana, Mishawaka, Van Wert, Cortland

Playing catch up on the blog! 

On the 26th we went for the front end alignment, and turns out that the front tires were shot, so two new front tires - $720...and they were unable to do the alignment - they called some experts and were going to call and let us know what they said.  Apparently our tires are set too far back and the machine won't line them up :( 

So, back to Elkhart campground, walked Cinder and went to visit the RV Hall of Fame.  I must tell you that I was NOT impressed.  It was OK, and I suppose we got our $12 worth, but we walked the exhibits, watched the movie, read all the 'reading' stuff and were done within 90 minutes.  Somehow we expected more :(

Wednesday the 27th, we went to Shipshewana to the larges Amish fleamarket in the US.  Once again, we were kind of disappointed.  The flea market is amazing, and we did get some things we 'couldn't live without', but very very little true 'amish' things.  We were able to get a doz just picked corn for $3...yahoo, and a basket of peaches for $3, and vine ripe tomatoes for .89 a pound...OMG they are so sweet and juicy that you can just eat them by themselves like an apple!  We've had several dinners of tomato sandwiches and corn...yum!  After we walked around at the flea market for several hours, it was time for lunch.  Per our friend Kay we went to the Blue Gate Restaurant and had the 'family style' meal - our meats were chicken and meatloaf,  served with dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, grean beans, homemade bread with apple butter, beverage and choice of pie - I had butterscotch and David has lemon merengue...

Thursday morning we got up and drove back to Mishawaka for the front end alignment where they used a special setting and didn't do the back tires.  We finally left about 12:30, and drove to Van Wert OH where we stayed at the county fairgrounds.  Because it is an Escapee's spot, we paid $12.50 per night - for full hookups.  We stayed there for 2 days, and there was not much going on, it was just too hot to do anything! 

We got up Sat morning and headed up the road - to Cortland OH, where we are staying at a Moose lodge, with 30 amp electric and water, dump station for the sum of $5 per night - I think we will be here a week.  Can't beat the price - and the folks here are very nice, the lodge cooks 3 meals a day for very reasonable prices - we each had cheeseburger, fries and soda for the sum of $7 total for both of us - what a deal! 

Last night we drove about 20 miles to a place called Pasta Oven, and had wonderful spaghetti & meatballs (me) and Chillitini (chili with onions & cheese over spaghetti noodles) and a plate of 'garlic balls'.  It is bread dough, knotted and deep fried, then drizzled with garlic butter with chunks of garlic - OMG is all I can say :)