A turn to go to our campsite. Couldn't resist the round barn on the corner.
The interesting thing about using a GPS it sometimes will tell you you have arrived and there is absolutely nothing around. That is what happened with this RV Park. Just fields. As we traveled down this gravel road it said for the first time this is an approximate location. We kept going and finally it showed up. Whew! It's tough being the navigator sometimes.
With photos still locked in on the camera we jump to the 4th of July Parade in Akron Indiana.
Jim and I rode there early for the annual pancake breakfast the fire department throws each year.
Lots of people there. As we talked with different ones we would tell them that Mike Hoyt was Jim's brother. We didn't find one person who didn't know him. That's a "Hoyt" for you!
Above this guy in a dress is part of a Square Dancing Tractor group.
There were about 20 corvettes on parade. From classics to the latest offering. They all looked pretty fast and cool to me.
The local reserves were on display as well. Bands came through marching and playing as loud as they could.
Gentleman joined the dancers. Later when we rode out we found them still dancing near the end.
We are off to Mike and Diana's cottage on Silver Creek. There are a whole lot of little lakes in this
Area.
The two in the tube are Amaya and Masey. I'm not sure what Amaya was thinking but that face turned quickly to a smile and a thumbs up. Now Massey, she hasn't any fear. She was more than happy to give the Thumbs up for a faster ride.
He barked way too much when jet skis came by.
Little Amaya, then Jeff. Next is Beautiful Jennifer with Massey and her husband Cameron.
Second row Me, Diana, Mike's wife, Jeff and Jennifer's mom. Then you have Madison who belongs to
Jennifer and Cam. On the end is Shari, she is Mike and Jim's sister. Across the back standing tall is
Jim, Mike and Shari's husband Pat. Good looking family, I must say.
As it got dark we went out on the pontoon to watch fireworks. Around the lake people set them off. It was quite a show. There seemed to be a little competition going on. Mike's cottage was between two neighbors that seemed to be the most competitive. It was fun as we rode back in thinking the show was over, they would go through another whole round of fireworks. I have never been under them a they shot off into the air. That was really cool! This was a perfect 4th.
JULY 5th
In the RV Park we are staying in is at the end of a small lake called Barr Lake. This part of their lagoon
It is quite mossy. I thought this red boat in the green moss was pretty interesting.
Back at the cottage Amaya and Massey seemed to be in some sort of negotiation.
Cam seems to be in control of the final decision.
Madison is waiting for the next ride.
Later we go about finishing up with lots of leftoversandgetting house back in order.
Jen,Cam, Madison, and Massey would soon be on their way home. Everything is calming down from one of the best4th of July's Jim and I could ever remember.
JULY 6th Jim and I went to Middlebury Indiana to look at a 5th Wheel we had been looking at on line.
Ours has had some issues and we have left it at an RV dealer to see if they can repair the issue.
We are now staying at Shari's for a few days.
JULY 8th
Relaxing in the grass.
Their dogs Josh and Jake became great buds with Diggity and Doogie. Doogie spent a lot of time running and barking at jet skies.
This is Tim, Shari's son with his daughter Ashley and his very new wife Susan.
JULY 9th
Our trailer is well and we are back home in it.
Doogie refuses to get out of the truck he wants to go back to "Camp ShariPat."
There was a tornado that went down the Main Street of the town in 2007. If you knew this town before that it is still hard to get use to all of the trees that grew over the street in town. Creativity thrives.
This one in front of the post office is pretty neat.
These next few shots are in front of Martin's Supermarket. The Amish thrive in this community.
Over the years coming with Jim we have watched they way the Amish have found ways to use their horse and buggy lifestyle. What we have noticed cigs all the young Amish families that are her.
JULY 10th
The balls they use are smaller than a softball and larger than the baseball used today. For these games they can still get these balls
The fellow in the vest is the scorekeeper. He makes all calls. He also informs the crowd that given the right situation he may ask for our assistance.
This interesting group are the Nappanee Embracers. Again they all have their nicknames
The fans are from all over town and we follow the shadows cause the sun is really hot. The best part of this game is out in the field there were these big puddles of water are. Anytime the ball landed in one it Stopped like a rock. The person after it usually would up sliding into the water. Much fun!
At the end of the game a group photo was taken by the score keeper.
The day before Jim And I did a ride around town.we visited an Amish Bike Shop. Dan Mast was the owner of the shop. By the end of our visit he told us about a baseball game happening in town
It was to be an 1850's baseball game. Using 1850's rules. Also the did use gloves.
Some of the rules, if a ball was caught on the first bounce the runner was out. Also when a runner came in he had to go to the score keeper and announce his run. After that he could ring a bell on the table.
He is standing in front of the ElkhartRail Roaders team. They wear the vintage uniform.
They all take a step forward and introduce themselves by their nicknames.
Now spectators "fans" are called the "Cranks" and are allowed and encouraged to heckle and harass the teams.
Everyone had a great time. By the way the final score was Railroaders -3 Nappanee Embrasers-2
Hey they usually loose to over 15 points. What a great way to spend a Summer day in July!
