707. Shipshewana

Where: Shipshewana, Indiana
When: September 3, 2016
With: Dave (and Izzy)

When I moved to Michigan, it felt like I'd relocated to this whole new region of the country that was up for exploration. And it's true, I have. However, unlike the east coast, where states are smushed together and you can get to pretty much any of them within an 8-hour drive, the midwest is much more spread out. Much more. Eight hours will maybe get you over two states....if you are lucky. So our midwest exploration hasn't taken us many places yet, but we are starting to work on it. Especially now that I have Izzy, road trips where she can come are much more appealing. And thankfully, she's a rock star in the car. So the most logical first stop on my midwest road trip quest was a new state and an item in the book: Shipshewana, Indiana.

Of all the things in the book, this is the closest thing at about 3.5 hours. So let's go.

The town of Shipshewana is like taking a step back in time. It is literally a one-stoplight town. However, half the traffic that floods the streets is not that of cars, but horse and buggy. Seriously. This town is in the heart of the third largest Amish community in the country.

At the center of Shipshewana is one of the largest antiques markets in the country. Large warehouses painted to look like old barns are filled with stalls selling all kinds of goods in cordoned off sections. While weekdays are big for the auctions, the market is still open on the weekends.

Needed to leave the puppy and the husband outside to check it out (not that either of them seemed to mind). 

Inside, everything from furniture to hand crafts to...well anything could be found. It went on for ages, taking up two stories. It was overwhelming.

Outside, the grounds were covered in tables with people selling more things. Just things. It literally spanned every time period and thing. 

Like doors. Just a bunch of doors. Frankly, I will never understand antiquing.

What I was more fascinated by was the patrons and sellers. And their modes of transportation. This parking lot even had a "free manure" station, where horse droppings were shovelled and offered up to whoever was willing to cart it away. 

As we admittedly couldn't really get into the whole antiquing thing, we decided to drive around the area instead. It was very pretty, and there's a specific road to drive, the Heritage Trail, that took us through the Amish farmlands. It was very scenic and peaceful. 

While driving along, it was not uncommon to pass a horse and buggy on our way. 

One more stop in this area was to Yoder Popcorn. Opened in 1936, this little popcorn shop has been a local favorite ever since. 

A fun discovery of this road trip was all the breweries along the way, particularly with outdoor seating that were dog friendly. It was so nice to sit outside enjoying a cold beer and lunch with Izzy right by our side. 

While not in the book, my favorite activity of the weekend was actually heading towards Lake Michigan to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Massive sand dunes have formed along the lake shores, and over time, foliage grew on top of them, creating this unique mix of beach and forest. 

As a result, many of the hiking trails are covered in deep sand. Beach or woods? Both!

At the top of Mount Tom, one of the highest sand dunes in the park providing a view of Lake Michigan. 

The park also has some great beaches. This was Izzy's first time on the beach, and all she wanted to do was dig a hole to China. 

Don't let that sit fool you, she's eyeing up that sand. 

The next morning, another hike around the park's marshlands. But still, more sandy trails.

Sand cleared to normal hiking path. Phew, thank goodness cause that wasn't easy.

 This hunter is thoroughly enjoying the sights and smells of this hike. 

The views of the park's marshes from above. 

Post hike, we planned for a day of relaxing on the beach with the puppy. And fortunately, there's a dog friendly beach within the park!

Thankfully, Izzy kept the digging to a minimum this time and figured out how to relax on the beach. 

...mostly...

I still can't believe how blue these great lakes are. I keep reminding myself this is the middle of the country and not the ocean. We could also faintly make out the Chicago skyline in the distance.

Thanks for taking me to the beach, dad!

Laying around is nice, but let's get back to those dunes. 

Ok, one more hike. 

While Shipshewana may not have been my Amish bread and butter, it was a great jumping off point to a beautiful state and national park that we thoroughly enjoyed. And even better, we enjoyed it with our puppy. 

Now that deserves a beer.