We arrived at Potato Creek State Park (named for the Native Americans who once collected plants with potato-like roots on the creek's banks). These camping sites were like Michigan's in that there were no water hook-ups; only electric. The park was huge with lots of trails for hike or bike and bridle trails, an 327 acre electric motor fishing lake and 287 camping sites and was just a very neatly groomed park. The bike trail which we rode that first evening was 3.3 miles but it took us another 3+ miles to get back to our campsite. It was a paved trail through the woods, the fields and very scenic. A very nice park to go back to. The 2nd day we headed to Elkhart, Ind. the "RV Capital of the World" . But not before we came across one of the most beautiful and Biggest Farmers Market we have ever seen. It wasn't open that day. Stop in town of Nappanee, Ind. for an factory tour of the Newmar RV facility. They showed us the different work-stations that it took to build their Class A Motorhomes. Across from Newmar was Amish acres of shops, theater and a great place for lunch. We passed many horsedrawn buggy's going down the road and saw many Amish farms in this area. 85% of the workers at Newmar were Amish and most of them usually rode their bikes there to work each day. The economy has hit them hard as well because Newmar once employed 1,000 workers and now they were down to 400. Once they were building 15-20 coaches per day; now they are building 3 per day. They claim it was worst last year and things seem to be picking up a bit this year. We also visited the Damon factory in Elkhart but we missed the tour there. Then we drove through Notre Dame University campus since we were so close. Lots of catholic churches in that area!!!
We shall be heading west on September 1st. Not sure which way to Salt Lake City but check our blog to follow our path.
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