Horse and Buggy Territory

We are in northern Indiana, specifically in Shipshewana. This is the RV capital of the country where many RV manufacturers are located. As we neared the area we saw an increasing number of trailers and motorhomes on the roads and we weren't surprised. Our 5th-wheel trailers were all made in the neighborhood. We aren't far from Ohio where our Airstream was manufactured. But we came here to appreciate the Amish culture and workmanship, so we are seeing lots of horses and buggies. Bicycles are also frequently the mode of travel.

Today we walked a block to E and S Bulk Sales, a nearby Amish market. This was one row of the parking lot. The other day we saw both buggies and trucks at the grain mill.

I didn't realize that buggies needed to be licensed until I really looked at the license plate on them.

Amish farms are well-kept and beautiful. And they don't have electrical lines running to them.

We arrived here Wednesday and when I looked through the events in the area I learned the flea market was only open Tuesday and Wednesday. Those days are shopping days, I read. We visited E and S Sales that day and it was packed. On Thursday we were driving around the area and I decided that was laundry day. Clothes lines in backyards were full of drying laundry. (Sorry about the Colorado State Parks pass in the lower left. I couldn't take the photo without it in the corner.)

We went shopping but we didn't do much buying, except for food. We ate both breakfast and lunch at the Blue Gate Restaurant. Believe me, we didn't need to eat much else on either day.

The people who operate our RV park obviously love birds. Two sites are blocked off with cones. The only reason we can figure out must be that a killdeer has a nest in each site. Look at this little bird.

The shopping area in Shipshewana is beautifully landscaped with lots of flowers.

A Funky Little Town

I'm talking about Salida, Colorado. I don't think I had spent any time there before we checked it out last week. When is the last time you saw this kind of store?

Many of the old buildings in the downtown area have been restored. We loved looking at them.

The art around town was certainly interesting. This first piece was done by the members of the Boys and Girls Club.

What a bicycle this is!

This looked more normal, but I'm not sure anyone could ride it.

We couldn't believe this beaded car. It sure took a lot of work and a store full of beads.

We laughed and laughed at this work of "art." I wasn't sure John could stop laughing so we could move on to see more of the town.

I really like this painting. The young girl at the sewing machine was making sachets.

These two women were carefully restoring the 609 names of men from Salida who served in World War I and II. At least part of the wall of honor had been stuccoed over in past years and they are restoring it.

This is a neat mural showing bicyclists of years past.

The flowers around the downtown area were beautiful.

We had a fun visit to Salida. Glad we went.