Indiana - Hoosier State
Our first stop in Indiana was Indiana Dunes National Park on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. The white sand beaches were pristine and gorgeous. Standing on the shore, looking to the north, it felt like we were on the beach in California. From there we drove to South Bend where we were reacquainted with friends from our days living in Holland when Andy was in the Army, Jack and Tracy Harrington. Jack was an orthodontist who established a practice there after leaving the service. Andy and I were keen to see the University of Notre Dame, and he gave us a comprehensive tour. We had dinner and spent a wonderful evening at their house.
From there we headed to The Checkerberry Inn in Goshen. Now closed, it then lived up to its reputation as “a unique blend of European sophistication and Amish Country hospitality.” Our goal was to spend time in Shipshewana, the location of the Menno-Hof Amish and Mennonite Museum which showcases the history and cultures of the Amish and Mennonite peoples. We were lucky to be there on a day when they were having an auction and flea market. Many people were dressed in Amish or Mennonite clothing, including children, and they arrived in horse driven buggies. It was bustling and lively and fascinating. I mistakenly took a photo of a woman who was pulling three small children in a wagon. I was very embarrassed when a passerby informed me that their religion did not allow them to have photos taken. A lesson learned. The Amish are a Christian religious denomination characterized by simple dress and lifestyle. There are many similarities between the Amish and Mennonites but also subtle differences. One difference is that the Amish do not own automobiles and many Mennonites do. We purchased a clock in Shipshewana which hangs in our house and chimes beautifully every day.
Driving across Indiana towards Iowa, we stopped in Lafayette for lunch and a visit to the Purdue University campus. We also enjoyed a self-guided walking tour of the Tippecanoe County Courthouse. Did you ever wonder where the saying, “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too” came from? Well, it was originally a popular and influential campaign song when William Henry Harrison and John Tyler were running for president and vice-president in 1840. It became the campaign slogan for the Whigs when there were only the Whigs and the slightly larger Democratic party. Harrison was the hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe, fought in 1811 in Indiana, between American forces of the Indiana Territory and Native American forces.
If there is a message in this blog, and there might not be……but if there is it would be that the best and the most delightful way to learn about United States history is to travel around the country.
