Sunday, Sept 25 It rained a little bit overnight, but was clearing up by the time we were done with breakfast and showers. Several Amish horse and buggies went down our road on the way to church, and we knew that no businesses would be open today. Pippa joined us for a back-country ride in the MG, and we ventured west out of Sugarcreek to the little town of Dover – all new country scenes with the same flavor. By the time we got back for lunch it was noon and 68 degrees, and very windy. Tom did a repeat of last night’s supper: grilled Trail Bologna on grilled Asiago Cheese bread, with Amish Swish cheese melted inside. At 1:00 there was a social gathering to answer questions; it then melted into a chance for people to sign up for tours. Four guided tours will leave each morning, Monday-Wednesday, with each tour visiting 4-5 locations and making a stop for lunch. All of this has been pre-arranged, and as a tour guide Tom just has to know his route, sign people up for his tour, and lead them through the countryside from one stop to another. The whole procedure has been meticulously planned and lots of people were present to sign up. Back at our campsite all those buggies that had gone to church this morning – were heading home. I was waiting this time for pictures! Carie and Alan arrived at a close-by RV park where they could have full hookups, and contacted us to have pizza with them for supper. The wind and clouds were picking up, and it looked like the best decision was to put the MG undercover, and head out to meet them in the truck. The pizza was great, and we were back at the Silvermine by 8:30 Monday, Sept 26 Today things were really heating up, as rally activities expanded off-site. There are four tours, and each tour, with up to 10 cars, heads in a different direction with different stops in the county to make. Like clockwork, the tours lined up and departed every ten minutes, starting at 8:30. Tom and I led tour #3, and had 4 vehicles following us. Our first stop was Stutzman Buggy Shaft & Wheel Works. It is on the homestead of Noah Stutzman and has been in business for 54 years. The wheels are all constructed of wood hubs and spokes and finished with metal rims. I was thinking of buggy wheels – but they also do wheels for antique cannon units, bicycles, and antique vehicles of all kinds including Pierce Arrow automobiles. Some of his equipment is from Germany, and the wooden wheel rim press dates back to the Civil War. It is a world demand business. Our second stop was New Bedford Harness & Boot where Noah and Bert Miller make custom harnesses and halters and sell name-brand (Redwing) shoe brands and saddles. They will fit and make you a custom “lifetime leather belt” -- to be picked up later. There was not a tour, but just a browse through the many tight, narrow, sections of the shop. Our lunch stop was the Charm Family Restaurant which was “Dutch Treat”, and served American Cuisine. We arrived just as it opened at 11:00, and when we left at noon, the line-up was out the door and down the porch! Our fourth stop was the Amish Mennonite Heritage Center where there is a ten ft. high by 265 ft diameter panoramic painted circular mural called “Behalten.” It took artist Heinz Gougel 14 years to paint, finishing in 1992. As we rotated to different locations and as flashing lights highlighted consecutive points of the painting, an Amish narrator told us the story of the Amish people and how they became a community. It was a wonderful presentation, and afterwards we were given time to walk around to view more details and other displays in the Heritage Center. Our last stop was the studio of renowned carver David Warther II; he carves only ships. We got back to Winklepleck at 3:30 to discover that new friends Tom and Sandy were gone, and their 16’ Airstream was sitting all by itself. Just for fun, we parked the MG in front of the little Airstream for a photo op! Tom’s very favorite Airstream is the 16’! A cold front blew in at dinner-time with dark clouds, wind, and some rain. It spoiled any idea of cooking out, and we to the Mexican restaurant with Carie and Alan. I came back thoroughly chilled and ready to settle in the Silvermine. Tuesday, Sept 27
Tom did the guided tour without me today, but friends Bonnie and Bill rode in the truck with him. It was to be the exact same trip as yesterday, but with a different group of people. He arrived back at 4:30, and at 5:30 we were off to the Amish homestead for another group dinner. Goodnight . . . came early!
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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 |