Indiana - Oct. 17 -31, 2007

On Oct. 17th we started our journey to Goshen, Indiana to complete some warranty work on our motorhome in nearby Wakarusa.  We spent one night on the road in Conneaut, Ohio before moving on to... Tornado Alley.

The drive from Conneaut to Goshen was exhausting as Bill fought heavy side-winds for over 300 miles.  When winds of 25-35 mph hit the side of a big box on wheels it tends to make things a little too interesting.  In late afternoon we arrived at the Elkhart County Fairground during a tornado watch, which was soon upgraded to a tornado warning.  Since our motorhome like most RVs is a tornado magnet, we were on high alert.

As we checked in we asked about the storm shelter 'just in case', and tuned into the local weather station.  While Susan checked the emergency bag we keep on hand, Bill monitored the storm's progress.  About 10:00 PM it was 'code red' and time to get to the shelter.  We had never experienced tornado weather and were shocked by the violent winds and torrential rain as we ran for the Honda.  By the time we got the doors closed the car's interior and we were drenched.  The humidity was so high fog formed in the car, and the rain was falling so hard outside that Susan was driving blind to the shelter. 

We arrived safely and ran for the shelter and down the stairs where we met about 20 other people and their pets in various stages of fear, humor (hysteria?) and sullenness.  Some were fully dressed, others in their pajamas.  A very interesting way to meet ones neighbors.

There was no means of communication in the shelter, but Bill was toting his computer and occasionally popped up stairs to access the park's WIFI system for updates.  After about an hour we got the 'all clear', wished our neighbors well and went home.  It was a very frightening experience. 

There were 28 tornadoes that tore across Indiana that night.  Nappanee, an Amish community about 10 miles southwest of Goshen, took direct hits and sustained the greatest damage, but there was spot damage scattered throughout the region.  A couple of days after the storm we drove through Nappanee and were surprised to see the level of destruction and saddened for the people whose homes and businesses were damaged. 

During our stay in the area we did business at several of the establishments in Nappanee and were impressed with how the community pulled together to help one another.  It was harvest time and numerous farmers had lost their livestock, machinery, barns and homes to the storm.  Their neighbors banded together and harvested and transported the crops to community silos for storage, helped clear debris and rebuild barns, and provided shelter for the families.  The undamaged businesses also pitched in with food and supplies.  We will try to learn from the humanity and compassion of these people.

As mentioned above, we were in the area to complete some warranty work on the coach, so we were 'guests' of DeMartini Service Center for nearly two weeks.  As guests we needed to turn our home over to technicians every morning at 8:00 AM and reclaim it around 4:00 PM.  The chilly early mornings were spent in DeMartini's comfortable waiting area - which we adopted as our living room - Internet surfing, reading and watching the news.  Once it was warm enough, we ventured out.

Since we were in the RV capital of the world, it was only appropriate that we visit the RV Hall of Fame and Museum recently relocated to new and impressive facilities.  The museum displays RVs from 1913 to the present.  It was interesting to see the evolution from the rustic homemade models of yore to the comfortable, well appointed vehicles of today. 

We also visited the Auburn Cord Deusenburg Museum in Auburn, Indiana.  This place was fabulous and the vehicles so elegant.  The collection includes automobiles from 1904 to post World War II, but the magnificent Cords, Auburns and Duesys produced between 1925 and 1937 are the star attractions.  This museum is a 'do not miss' if in the area. 

During our stay we also had a cabinet for our DVR/satellite receiver constructed and installed.  Plus, we had a Cummins technician install a variable speed engine fan to improve our fuel mileage. 

Finally, with the exception of some back-ordered parts that we asked to be shipped to Tucson, the work was done and it was time to bid farewell to our DeMartini family and travel on.