Heritage Trail (long post with many photos)

Last June, Clyde made plans for us to go on a road trip and he called it "Food Run" which revolved around destination good food places!  This summer he started making plans, reading reviews, checking out the map, and we are in Amish Country, Northern Indiana....along the Heritage Trail.  My FB friend, and Victoria's BFF,  Rita, is where we first heard of it.  She and her husband and friends take many motorcycle trips across this beautiful country.  This is one that I don't believe she has taken, but she knew of it and brought it to my attention.

I'm going to insert this comment here about this trip.  It is not for everyone.  Clyde and I love to ride.....just for the ride.  To places we want to see, or have heard of, and if it's a great place, we pass it on.  The flower beds were just big and pretty, but they were flowers!  To find them was like a maze!  You had to use the map provided to locate them and a CD to go along the Heritage Trail.  Along the way, there are many attractions (well not like go carts and such) but stores, parks, lakes/rivers, gardens and these quilt pattern flower gardens.  To be honest, I know very few men that would enjoy it!  But Clyde actually did (I could tell!) and we really loved the Botanic Garden in Elkhart.  So, check it out for yourself to see if it's something you would want to drive six plus hours to see! 

We started Sunday, June 26th, and drove to Goshen, Indiana.   What it involves is a 90 mile loop through many Indiana backroads, through many small towns (and not so small) to see flower beds or flower gardens.  Along the way we walk around the towns, check out the local shops, run by the Amish.  Shops that include cheese & meat shops (Amish Acres), candy/confections/fudge shops, Riverwalk in Elkhart, and much more.  Today we went back to Elkhart and walked around the Botanic Gardens (mentioned above paragraph).  We didn't spend a long time there, about 1 1/2 hrs. and could have stayed longer, but we had patchwork quilt gardens to see!

 This is the first one we stopped by in Goshen at the Court House.

This is at the Old Bag Factory 2nd one in Goshen we saw.  It is made of appx. 3,200 plants and is 942 sq. ft. 

 I added this pic of the train due to the fact the railroad runs through Goshen and runs often.

 This is the 3rd in Goshen and last one there.  We went to these Sunday evening when we got to town.  The next day we drove to the next town to see three more.

 There is a large stone here in the front that says "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.  The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor."  1 Corinthians 3: 6-8

Like the horses in Lexington then the rain barrels, the next town, Nappanee has apples.  I enjoyed these and (of course) took some pictures of a few.  

The main attraction have been the Quilt Gardens and Murals!  You ride around the towns, listening to a CD, and following the paths that take you to the next one!  Then you find it and see which of us can spot it first.  They have been beautiful.  Each one is about 800 to 900 square feet.  The flowers are mostly Petunias, Dusty Miller and Begonias, with others mixed in.  They are all the same in height, size and all look like patchwork quilts!

Today we left Goshen, headed to Nappanee, which had three gardens, then went on to Wakarusa, which had just one garden but a very big neat Dime Store.  From there we drove on to Elkhart and saw three there.  In Elkhart is where we walked the Riverwalk which was pretty cool.  We ate dinner there at a really nice grill, had big burgers and an awesome lettuce wedge.  Headed home, or back to Goshen for the night (staying at the Hampton).  Nice day.  Perfect weather for a convertible!  Just awesome.  Could not have been any better.

 We walked through this historical museum in Nappanee and enjoyed it quite a bit.

 This one is named 1884 Railroad, with appx. 4,000 plants and 900 sq. ft. in Nappanee, In.

This one is named 1897 Box Car (appx. 4,100 plants)

 This is in Wakarusa and named 1895 Star Puzzle with appx. 3,600 plants and 900 sq. ft.  Below is one of the murals painted in every town along the Heritage Trail.

 Walked away from little red and decided to take this shot.  Flag waving, petunia baskets full and knowing we won't always have this car.  Getting some age on it, but sure has been the best car ever!

At the Concord Mall in Elkhart, named 1920 Indian Paintbrush (appx. 4,500 plants) Mural is in view on back wall. 

 This one is Back Home Again in Indiana-inspired by 1920 Dogwood (appx. 1,300 plants) in downtown Elkhart/below close up

 Didn't get the name of this one, in Elkhart. Before we walked down to the Riverwalk (below).

 In Elkhart, we took the pics of the elks below at the Wellfield Botanic Garden.  I posted a collage of this on FB so I won't add the same photos here!  It was well worth the time and very inexpensive ($5 each and free on Tuesdays).

 Each elk reminded us of our friend, David Giles, "Elkie" (name of his HUGE elk, state of Ky. record).

This was found at the Elkhart County Historical Museum and named 1914 Duck Paddle (appx. 2,100 plants; 930 sq. ft)

 This is in Wakarusa at Ruthmere, 1895 Crossed Canoes (3,800 plants) 

 Stopping at the garden below, were a large group of Amish girls riding their bikes.  This area had so many horse & buggies as well as bicycles along the roads.

Krider Garden, 1932 Crossroads (appx. 2,800 plants)

Tuesday we started in Elkhart (Botanic Garden), then drove on to Bristol, Shipshewana and Middlebury.  These had the most Amish here, or so it seemed to us.  They were out in full force today, it was cool all day which is when they travel to keep their horses cool.

Das Dutchman Essenhaus.  We ate lunch here at the big buffet.  (appx. 6,000 plants, 3,119 sq. ft) 

 These shots are at the Ace Hardware Store, 1981 Indian Sunburst (appx. 4,900 plants) 

 Dutch Country Market, 1841 Hearts & Flowers (appx. 2,300 plants)

 This isn't on the official garden tour, but outside of Bob's Pretzels and we stopped thinking it was our next garden!

 Last two. Top was located at Weaver Furniture Sale, 1930 Indiana Puzzle (appx. 1,000 plants)

 This one is at Glory Gardens, 1930 Nine Patch Star, the last one on our 90 mile loop. (2,800 plants)

On Tues. late afternoon, we started our drive home by stopping over at one of our favorite spots, Brown County.  It takes appx. three hours to get there from Northern Indiana and then about the same to get on home. We stayed at the Artist Colony, ate lunch at the Hob Nob, with this too big dessert!

Arrived home in time to start watering the flowers we have before it got dark!  A good trip!  Thanks sweetie for planning it all out!  Until next time!  Hey it's good to be back home again.