Shipshewana and Drive to Plainwell

I got up early and had breakfast at my hotel.  When I got to the dining area, it was full of Amish people who were visiting from Holmes County, Ohio.  I got packed up and then went to find a geocache as the Visitors Center.

Then I drove down some backroads.  I saw this interesting cemetery

I stopped at this place:

.  Here there was a sign USED BUGGIES FOR SALE.

Then I went back to Shipshewana and went to a few shops, and made a few purchases.  

Then I headed north into Michigan.  I stopped and made myself a sandwich along the way.  Arrived around one p.m.  Only Mike and Tina were there, and Cassy returned shortly.  Bob and Megan arrived and eventually Chris got home from work.  We had a light supper of salad, chips and sandwiches. 

In the evening, we all went to the Academic Achievements Awards.

It was a  two hour ceremony honoring the top students.  

Monday, May 21, 2018 Drive to Shipshewana

After breakfast at my hotel in Erie (Super 8) I headed west on 90.  My drive was uneventful.  I decided to not use the route outlined in my TripTik because I figured it involved a lot of expressways in the Cleveland area.  I went south on 44 to gete to 80W which eventually merged with 90.

I stopped at a McDonalds in Mantua to use the rest room and  to get a cold drink.                            .  It was the smallest McDonalds I ever saw!

  I took a few pictures in the area of the McDs.  I think it would be a good area to explore!!!!

I arrived in Shipshewana a little before five p.m.  I accidentally passed the Super 8, but that took me by the 5 and 20 Restaurant so I went in and checked out the buffet and decided to return later on for supper. I went into Yoders Hardware and made a few small purchases, and also to a thrift shop before having supper.

Supper at the 5 and 20 was great!

After supper, I returned to  Super 8, I was glad that I could park my car right outside my room. I slept pretty well.

Sunday, May 20, 2018 Church, Luncheon and Drive to Erie, PA

My original plans were to leave tomorrow (Monday May 21st) and drive to Shipshewana, Indiana and stay the night there and then to drive to Plainwell on Tuesday the 21nd.  However, I was starting to stress out about the long drive to Shipshewana all by myself.    It occurred to me that I did not HAVE to do it that way and began to consider getting a couple of hours of driving out of the way on Sunday.  I did not want to miss church or the luncheon after  church in honor of the several children and teens who were baptized during the service.    My macaroni and cheese was completely eaten!!!!!

 I got packed up this morning, went to church and the luncheon and then went home and called the SUPER 8 in Erie, PA.   I reserved a room for the night and headed out around 2:00 p.m.  Unfortunately, I forgot to grab my purse, but I was only two miles away from home when I realized it!!!  So I did lose a bit of time driving back home and getting it.

I had an uneventful drive...……….getting on the thruway in Depew and heading southwest.  After crossing into Pennsylvania I stopped to use the rest room at a very nice Welcome Center.

  Then I got back on 90 and headed towards Erie.  Once I got off of Exit 27, I stopped for gas, and then I located my hotel.  I got a very nice room on the first floor,  I saw this in the parking lot for the hotel next store (Quality Inn).

I had wanted to go to Primanti Brothers for a reuben sandwich, but I could not find it, even though my GPS took me to a mall that had a sign for Primanti's in front of it.  I went into a Ruby Tuesdays, but I looked at a menu and decided there was nothing I really wanted.   I decided to go back to the Super 8 and eat the lunch I packed before leaving Lockport:  ham salad sandwich, yogurt, grapes and a bottle of Charleston Tea Plantation green tea with mango.

I had a hard time getting the tv to work in my room, it took about ten or fifteen minutes to warm up!.  When it finally came on, I was able to find PBS and watch the second part of LITTLE WOMEN.

Saturday May 19th, 2018 : Garden Planning Day at IMAGINE COMMUNITY GARDEN

Today was planting day for the IMAGINE COMMUNITY GARDEN, from ten to noon.  

This is my plot.

BOXING DAY: May 17, 2018

Tonight was BOXING DAY at Aqua-Systems in East Amherst, NY.  A bunch of people (leaders)
of the IMAGINE COMMUNITY GARDENS at five p.m.   I met a woman who works at VanDeMark Chemical here in Lockport.  I told her I used to babysit for the children of Joanne and Alan VanDeMark.  She said Joanne recently retired, has purchased a condo in Niagara on the Lake and that years ago she created BUFFALO SPREE.

 Pizza, wings and salad were served!   The salad was great.  I am in this picture (which I did not take)

All of these plants were provided by Thompson Brothers Greenhouse.

After eatinf,  the chaos began.  It is hard to describe how we attempted to put plants and seeds into separate boxes for each small garden plot.

  We used these sheets.

 and were handed small plants to make boxes. We checked off each plant or cup of seeds as we added them to the box.   Each box would be for one gardener to do his or her own garden.    It was total  chaos.  Pam got frustrated and tired and said she would wait in the car.  I joined her as soon as I completed my box and Eileen's box (which she started but then she started delivering the plants and seeds in order to speed the process up). I guess the boxes will be delivered to the gardens before Saturday when we plant the gardens. 

On the way home Pam and I stopped for ice cream at Johnsons.

Walk Along Canal 5/15/18

I went to the Ladies Life Group this morning, and then Pam and I had lunch at Burger King. When I got home, I found a message from Marlene asking if I wanted to take a walk later on.  So I called and left a message that yes I would and would connect with her after five p.m.

We finally connected and agreed on a spot to meet.  On the way there, I went by the Community Garden and saw several people working there.

We met up at the Day Road parking area and headed east on the trail. It was a beautiful evening.  I took several pictures.  Here are a few.

I think this last one is my favorite.  It was a great evening!  

Mothers Day 2018

Church was good and each mother received a small gift.  Our new church sign :

After church I went home and changed into capris.  Then I met Peggy and David back at church and we went to the Amherst Buffet for lunch.  It was great

Then we went to Trader Joes and I decided to buy some snack items to take to Michigan.