Summer in Indiana - A Peaceful Place to Be

As pandemic restrictions were lifted in Indiana, and riots and civil unrest continued to plague some parts of the nation, I couldn't think of a safer or more peaceful place to be than the Amish and Farm country of North Eastern Indiana.

Another Sunday walk in Pokagen State Park.

The new Dome Air form arrived and we inflated on July 28th.

On the 29th I went into Shipshawana to attend the Auction and Flea Market. This is the town where Grandma and Grandpa Yoder grew up and would bring Darryl here as a young boy.

Darryl loved the auction but I loved the flea market. I get so many fun ideas for painting, decorating and gifts!

I would love to paint on old windows like this gentleman does!

Because we were short handed at work, I had to man the concrete pump each day as they sprayed the shotcrete and then spend the next 1 - 1.5 hours cleaning it. But hey... The dome looks good.

The first of August I started an 8 week fitness challenge with some of my girls and Sandy. Thank you Hillary for getting us started on this. Every day I would do yoga and then walk 2 - 4 miles on the wonderful paved path that wound through town and out to the park.

Happy 66th Birthday Darryl! Now you can get Social Security!

I had to make a quick trip to Shelburn, Indiana to pick up some foam for Darryl and was able to see Laura and Clay Huffman's new baby boy Tay.

My morning routine. Walk, Yoga, Healthy Breakfast and Scripture Study. 

2 weeks into the challenge and down 5 pounds.

The best way to start my day!

Saturday August 8, 2020

There was a time,  1995 - 1997, when we lived in a cabin and small house trailer on 40 acres of woods, corn fields 2 little lakes and a stream. We were off grid and used a generator, Kerosene stove and heaters and loved it. Our favorite catalogue to peruse was the Lehman's Non-Electric catalogue from their Kidron, Ohio Store.

On this Saturday we decided to drive over and see for ourselves all of the wonderful Non-electric merchandise. We were a little disappointed as the store has been updated in the last 20 years and instead of the Amish Non-Electric items being the bulk of the store it has more fun tourist items. It was a great store, I guess I just wanted to see the store from 20 years ago.

A few days later we received a call from Dome Technology telling us they were sending Berkley out to run this job and we would be leaving for Pascagoula to restart the Dome job for Enviva.

We were able to squeeze in one last trip to Shipshawana for the auction and Flea market and Classic Car Cruise-In in Orland, Indiana, otherwise known as the Vermont Settlement.

Look Girls!!!! A sugar free shave Ice!

One more thing before I close out the month of August. Our beautiful Granddaughter Emily did some period costume modeling for her friend. 

We are so blessed to have this beautiful woman as part of our family! 

And just for fun, how about a little bit of Wesley smiles and loves as we end the month.

Shiloh and Jason's oldest and youngest, just to of the many, many, many blessings that are my wonderful grandchildren!

Martin's Cove and Mount Rushmore

Wednesday July 22, 2020

Ever since I was a small girl I have wanted to visit Mount Rushmore. I think I have traveled by car from Idaho to the East or Midwest U.S.A., or the reverse trip, at least once a year for nearly 20 years.  But I never took the time to visit this wonderful Monument. I told Darryl I was going to come home the long way and go to see this spectacular sight.

🌻🌻🌻

As I was driving through Wyoming on the way to my Patriotic destination I saw a sign that said "Martin's Cove Mormon Historical site." I have never been to Martin's Cove either, but my children have. I decided now was as good a time as any to visit. Due to the Pandemic all the buildings were closed and there was only one other vehicle and they soon left.

Below is the Oregon Trail Marker.

These Pioneers pulled all their worldly goods in small handcarts from Iowa to Utah. Thousands made it safely, but 2 groups left late and were trapped by an early snow storm in this part of the mountains. You can see "Devil's Gate" in the Distance.

In the garden the sculptures tell the story of the struggle to stay alive as they took shelter from the cold and only had a small portion (12 oz) of flour to eat each day.

Looking towards Martin's Cove where the Pioneers were found when the rescue parties arrived. I left this sacred place with such gratitude in my heart for those hearty pioneers who sacrificed so much in order to freely worship Heavenly Father and live his gospel.

I arrived at The Mount Rushmore National Memorial around 5:30 in the evening. 

It was an incredible sight to see.

To view this immense sculpture in person was breathtaking. 

I stayed for about 2 hours and pondered the blessings I have received as a citizen of this great Nation and all that the presidents on that mountain did to create and preserve the United States of America!

Were they perfect men? No! But they were good men. They were the men God chose to fulfill his purposes for this nation and for the world.

As I left the Memorial I could see the profile of President George Washington looking out over the beautiful Black Hills ever vigilant as he watches over our great United States.

As the sun was setting I continued on to Rapid City, South Dakota where I spent the night and left at around 6:00 a.m. ready to get home to Darryl.

🚐🚐🚐

Thursday July 23, 2020

South Dakota is Beautiful! I don't think I have ever driven through this state and I was in awe at the beauty I saw all around me. If it just didn't get so bitterly cold in the winter time I think I could move here.

I had to stop for gas around lunch time, so I took an hour's break while I was in Mitchell, SD to go and see the World's Only Corn Palace. The murals you see and the entire front on the "Palace" are made out of corn. Whole corn cobs and sheaves and stalks. Incredible! They change the mural every year so I am excited to see what the 2021 murals will be.

Up on the balcony you could get a good detailed view of the murals and the roofing and the turrets.

I grabbed some lunch and hit the road. I drove straight through to Joliet, Illinois where I stopped around 1:00 a.m. and slept in my car until 5:30 when I got breakfast and ventured east, trying to get through the Chicago traffic before rush hour. I arrived at our little apartment home in Angola, Indiana around 10:30 Friday morning July 24th, Mormon Pioneer Day. What a way to celebrate their great legacy by traveling across this great country. I traveled in two days what would take them 2 - 4 months. When I think of what they endured it truly amazes me and I am ever more thankful for them.