Sunday May 11, 2014-Shipshewana South campground

I am adding the rally days all together because we were so busy and had so much to do during that time, I just didn't have time to write it up daily.

Friday morning began with a delicious breakfast prepared by Jim B and several helpers consisting of pancakes, eggs, lots of bacon and sausage and of course, coffee and juice. It was a great way to start the rally! Then for lunch, we all went over to Elkhart to RV Capitol for a sandwich and a presentation from Sonny Dismukes, who is a salesman for Lippert and a tour of the dealership, looking at the new trailers. Then we returned home to rest up before going to supper at the Blue Gate restaurant, a great Amish-style restaurant in downtown Shipshewana that we have been to several times in the past. There was a bit of a mixup and our party got separated throughout the restaurant, but we had a good time and ate WAAAY too much food.

Saturday was another eat-all-day. We started with great donuts from the Rise N Roll Bakery and coffee. Another great way to start the day! We came back home and began preparing for a planning meeting for the Amana rally with Jim, Dan, Karen and a telephonic connection with David L. the Iowa chapter leader who is helping us with "boots on the ground" assistance since he is there. It was a good meeting and we got a lot accomplished.

Saturday night was as much fun as I've had in a long time. Hoyt arranged for a chili cookoff, judged by the park office staff. All of the chili was good but Jim's won the prize. One of the new folk and my new friend, Phil, got a bowl of Jim's chili and started sweating! It didn't taste that hot to me but Phil got the bottom of the pot with a concentration of the hot spices, and it certainly had an effect on him. The funny part of the evening was an auction conducted by Ray and Bill, Jim's neighbor in the RV community and Marc Comer, the Ohio chapter leader. It was one of those "you had to be there" things, but they were hilarious. They sold everything from nice, new items to crazy stuff like empty KOA bags and everyone had a blast! 

Sunday began with another donut and continental breakfast for those that were leaving today. It is always sad to see your friends leaving after the rally and this one was no exception. Lots of hugs and handshakes though...

We had a big ol' leftover potluck for dinner Sunday night. We had campfires every night and we burned most of the firewood tonight but left just enough for the last one tomorrow night. The reason some was left is that a thunderstorm blew in and rained our fireside chat out. For tonight at least...

So long.