That is exactly what it is like being in Shipshewana, Indiana, the third largest Amish county in the United States.
(Courtesy of Rae Rice)
It’s a step back in time with the sound of the horses and buggies trotting down the road. The beautiful Amish flower and vegetable gardens, the outstanding Amish craftsmanship, bike paths, home cooking, the largest flea market in the area, watching the baby Clydesdale ponies romp and play, and just the peacefulness of being here, is beyond words.
Ernie and I are working as camp hosts here at the Shipshewana South Park Campground for the entire summer. Duties are not bad with mowing, plumbing, some electrical work, greeting campers, helping them park their rigs, and answering questions like where to go and what to do.
We work 24 hours a week in return for full hookup of our motorhome. It’s such a pleasure meeting people from all over the United States.
Shipshewana is famous for the huge flea market, the cleanliness of the area, and that wonderful Amish food. At nighttime when laying in bed, you can hear the clip clop of the horse and buggy trotting down the road.
There are two big event centers that host all kinds of musicals and celebrities such as singers like The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Greenwood, Crystal Gayle, The Texas Tenors, Sawyer Brown, and many others. Entertainment goes through Dec. 31.
The flea market is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Wednesday also is a huge auction day at the flea market.
A couple of things that made us smile were an Amish buggy pulling a boat down the road, the tiny ponies, and the little Amish children learning how to steer the buggy getting them ready for school next fall. Another beautiful sight is watching the farmers in the fields with the team of horses plowing and planting for the season.
While Ernie has been hard at work, I planted a garden. There is watermelon, cantaloupe, yellow and green onions, lettuce, cabbage, green beans, tomatoes, radishes, zucchini, eggplant, and some flowers. I’ve found out already that the rabbits like the lettuce, too, so I guess I will have to share it with them.
There are three other camp hosts here in the park, and we share the responsibility of keeping the park in top shape.
By Rae Rice
Published July 23, 2014
