Wednesday, Sept 21 We’ve heard of this rally for years; 69 years strong for the Ohio Swiss Festival, and 59 years for the Airstream gathering. This year, under the new sponsorship of WBCCI Region 4, we decided to see what all the fuss was about. Every time we have visited the rolling hills of Holmes County, Tom has commented: “I sure wish I had the MG here!” Careful what you wish for, Tom! I drove the rig and followed Tom in the MG, driving much the same Route 30 that we were on just last week. The weather was beautiful, and except for a few spots of Airstream-hugging road-work, the drive was fun. Before we left the house, we got some pictures! We left at 9:00, stopped for lunch and to gas up the MG at Mansfield and arrived at what would be our headquarters for the next 12 days. . . Winklepleck Grove Campground in Sugarcreek, Ohio. The rally doesn’t really start until Sunday, but we are signed on as tour guides, and needed to come early to learn our tour route and duties. There were about 25 other Airstreams already there when we arrived at 1:00, and we had our choice of campsites. We chose right up by the main road coming in so we could hear the clip clop, clip clop, of the Amish Buggies as they traveled down the country road. We are parked in nice grass, large shade trees, and neighbors on either side. At 5:00 we left Pippa in the camper and ventured out in the MG for a scouting trip around the county. This first time out we didn’t venture very far, and we conveniently ended up at Der Duchman restaurant for dinner. We declined the $18.00 smorgasbord, and Tom got the baked chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy/noodles, and I got a ½ hot meatloaf sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy all over.. We were back at the campground by 7:15, and Tom shut down the tonneau on the MG, and then added the complete cover in case of rain. Pippa got a walk, and then we settled in to movies. It was dark at 8:00. Thursday, Sept 22 With turn-by-turn typed directions in hand, we headed out to survey our tour route. Region 4 President Brad had done a fabulous job of planning the route and writing the directions, and we found it easy to follow. Along the way, I was in awe of the countryside that we were roaming in – somehow made all the more picturesque by the dark clouds that were lurking overhead. I focused this trip on trying to get some pictures of the handsome homes in the area . . . mostly Amish, and some of the small towns we would be visiting later in more detail. We also make a shop-stop at Heini's Cheese Chalet where we bought a variety of cheeses and some flavored fudges! For dinner the rally workers were treated to a spread at an Amish homestead! I didn’t know if pictures were allowed, and so erred on the side of not taking any. We enjoyed a meal of homemade: bread, chicken, roast beef, green beans, noodles, mashed potatoes, gravy, and 5 different kinds of pies. While we ate, our host told us about his son getting married two years ago with 900 people attending!
This morning began at 63 degrees, and that was actually the high for the day! We should get in the low 40’s tonight! I can’t believe we have 10 more days of this lifestyle!
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |