May, 2005
We used to think the month of May meant the coming of spring.  It didn't start out that way in northern Indiana!  On Sunday, May 1 we were in Plymouth, IN enjoying the "after-glow" of Dennis and Anjela Dew's wedding.  We said our good-bys to the family and headed 30 miles away to the Newmar factory in Nappanee.  We were lucky to find an empty site in the "campground" at the service center and settled in.  On Monday morning, Tom checked in with the service counter and they said they would talk to us on Wednesday as our actual appointment wasn't till Thursday, anyway.  
On Tuesday, May 3 we watched snowflakes on our windshield as we got ready to make some tourist stops in South Bend, IN, about 30 miles from Nappanee.  Our tour stops included the Studebaker Museum, where we learned the history of the Studebaker Car Company and got to see a collection of old vehicles; the South Bend Chocolate Company, where we had a tasty tour of the factory; and a short drive through the University of Notre Dame campus.  The next day we drove to Shipshewana, IN and walked what seemed like miles and miles of flea market stalls.  The large market in the heart of Amish country is open every Tuesday and Wednesday during the summer and this was opening week.  There were not too many shoppers and some of the vendor stalls were still empty.  We managed to pick up a few bargains, however.
A 1950 Studebaker at the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, IN...brings back memories of the chartreuse '49 model my mom once had!

The Hesburgh Library at the University of Notre Dame.

Just one part of one row of stalls at the Shipshewana Flea Market.
Our RV service work was done on Thursday and Friday as scheduled and as in the past, we were quite satisfied with attention to detail and effort provided to each of our concerns.  We also enjoyed the camaraderie of the other Newmar owners as we spent time in the very comfortable customer lounge.  Some of us took the Newmar factory tour while we were waiting.  We have taken the tour in the past and are always impressed with the cleanliness, efficiency and work ethic of the employees.  Several 2006 models were on the line. 
Workers assembling window treatments in the sewing shop at the Newmar factory.
Interior wiring being added to a new coach on the assembly line.
When our service work had been completed on Friday afternoon at 2:30 (service techs pick up your coach at 6AM on work-days) we headed to Ohio.  After an overnight stop in a rest area, we arrived in Marysville in time to attend our oldest granddaughter's softball game.  We cheered on the team while enjoying a rare sunny day.  Over the next several days we attended at few more games, shuttled all three granddaughters to various classes and school and attended the "end-of-the-year" program at preschool.  We had a "creature day" one afternoon when we released the five butterflies that the girls had raised from caterpillars and took a turtle that we had found to the neighborhood pond.
Our next stop was the Toledo area, with the Dutch Star parked at the Harbortown Resort in Monroe, Michigan.  During our week-long stay there, Tom, as executor of Mary's grandmother's estate, tended to various legal matters.  We also had our annual medical appointments and had a full schedule of get-togethers with various friends and family.  Every day was filled with appointments and errands and the week went quite fast.  But, we've been declared relatively healthy, our teeth are clean and we're hopefully set for another year.  Among our get-togethers, we had a great visit with friends Bo and Linda Bodine and wished them well on their trip to Alaska starting May 23.
Coffey taking a swing at her softball game.
Letting our newly hatched butterflies go free.
Grandpa and the girls putting the turtle "back into the wild" at the Aldersgate Park pond in Marysville.
For more of our May adventures please click on "Forward" at the top of the screen.
page 1
page 2
May, 2005
For more of our May adventures please click on "Back" at the top of the screen.
Friday, May 20, we were on the road to Marysville again.  Over the weekend we did some baby-sitting and attended Close's and Coffey's dance recitals and enjoyed just visiting with Ann, Matt and the girls.  On Monday we continued south at settled in at the Thousand Trails Preserve in Wilmington, OH
Close Ann, the ballerina.
We've stayed at this Thousand Trails preserve quite a few times in the past and were pleased to see that the staff has been working hard to get everything ready for the summer season.  Sewer hookups were added to some sites and the mini-golf course is being totally renovated.  They also did some remodeling in the kitchen of the lodge and the sales staff is working at full throttle.  When we arrived on Monday we had quite a few sites to choose from.  But, by the weekend, the park was full.  The weather situation changed frequently...from thunder, lightning and rain to a bright and clear sky...within a matter of minutes...throughout the holiday weekend.   We enjoyed walking through the preserve in between the rains.
During our stay in Wilmington we made a trip to Cincinnati to visit the national headquarters of the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association).  We have belonged to the organization ever since we bought our first RV, have attended many of their rallies, but had never been to the offices.  People we have met while on the road have told us how friendly the staff is and that their mail services and campground at the office are fantastic.  Our visit there lived up to our expectations.  If we should ever need a place to stay in that area, we'll certainly take advantage of the free full hookup sites.
Another trip during our stay was to the Prime Outlet Mall in Jeffersonville...in fact we went there two days...meeting our daughter and three granddaughters there on one of the days.  We "spruced up" our summer wardrobes.  Mary also made a trip by car back to Marysville to do some babysitting one night.  And, of course, we made the usual trips to Wal-Mart.
Another month coming to an end.  It seems like we just left Arizona..but its been 8 weeks.   Finally, the weather is warming up and we're looking forward to summer adventures.
A gloomy afternoon was made brighter by  several large rainbows...this was just part of one of them.