After our detour to Cairo, WV, we were back in the van, and headed toward Ohio, and the Airstream factory. We made a stop in Athens Ohio, home of Ohio University, WALK don’t Walk signs with countdown timers, and cheap eats, it was on to the Budget-Host (Vietnam Vet owned and operated) in Botkins Ohio, where we had stayed 5 years earlier, when last we visited Airstream.  We chose this hotel for two reasons 1) the rate was $35 which included hot breakfast for two, and 2) it was the last place that Mary had possession of here Red Nike raincoat, and she was interested to see if any of the help happened to be wearing it when she arrived.  This was not the case.

Mary made cheese quesadillas and beans in the parking lot, which we enjoyed in the room, watching some TV. 

Wednesday April 20

 

We were up early in anticipation of the Airstream Factory Tour, but since it doesn’t start until 2 pm, we decided to take a drive up the interstate to Lima (like the bean) OH, and Allan Nott Honda, for the first oil change of the van.  We were out of there in 40 minutes, and that included a complementary car wash, which took care of all the bugs we had collected along the way.  While driving to the dealership, we passed a building with a naked baby statue, and the name KEWPEE.  After the oil change, we went back to investigate, and discovered that KEWPEE was a hamburger joint.  Diet be damned! We succumbed to the naked baby, and had a hamburger and fries for lunch.  The counter ladies were very nice, and gave us some clean burger wrappers as a souvenir.

We motored on down to Jackson Center, donned safety glasses and ear plugs for the 2 pm Airstream Tour, given by Don, a gentleman in his 48th year of employ at the Airstream Factory.  It was great!  We walked thru the entire factory, and even got to enter a SKYDECK motor home unit, and various travel trailers.  When the tour was over, we were invited to help ourselves to free popcorn, cookies and coffee.  After that, we walked thru the back lot, where we saw and photographed a multitude of units awaiting service.  There were several new Sprinter Westys being prepped; we pulled the Honda Odyssey next to it to see how it stacked up.  The Airstream was ridiculously tall, and with the wind out here blowing us around, I can’t imagine driving this behemoth, even though the interior is a beautiful design.  We dragged ourselves away around 5 pm, and headed off thru some rain to Elkhart, IN, where we checked into the FAIRWAY INN, for $44.

Thursday April 21st

We wake up early and look outside to see the hotel sign reporting a temperature of 48 degrees.  We bundle up and walk to the supermarket behind our hotel, which has a STARBUCKS inside.  What a great visual, businessmen types leaving the grocery store at 8 am with coffee in hand.  More cars pull up, and more businessmen get out, headed for their Starbucks fix.  Coffee in hand, we head over to Cracker Barrel, for breakfast, than back to the room to pack up.  Today is a special day, we planning to visit the RV/MH HERITAGE FOUNDATION and HALL OF FAME, here in Elkhart IN.  What a great collection of old trailers, motor homes, and kitschy displays; our only regret is that it is all indoors, and the lighting is abysmal.  Making the best of it, Mary tries to absorb, while Caryn, determined to get some photos, goes back with a flash for her camera.  We finally tear ourselves away, and head to Amish Acres for lunch.  The idea of spending $15 each for lunch causes Mary to loose her appetite, so it’s back to the car in search of an alternative. As we drive around town, we spot a group of Amish, with their buggy tied up at CVS.  Caryn snaps a photo, and we pull into the Village Restaurant, where the young waitress is very patient explaining that a Manhattan is an open faced sandwich, and Hojos are some type of fried potatoes.  We went with her recommendation of a Chicken Philly with soup, for $5 each.  Delicious. 

Back on the road, we’re headed west. We find some Motel ruins along IN Route 30, and stop for some photos.  By nightfall it’s raining, and we stop for the night in at the Ramada in Bloomington-Normal, IL.  Mary goes to pick up take-out, while Caryn stays at the hotel to web surf, and watch the beginning of the Apprentice.  We have a Mexican feast, but discover the Internet is not working in our room.  The desk clerk unlocks the conference room so we are able to use the Internet there, not as convenient, but better than no Internet.  Mary begins work on the webpage, so we can finally get some stuff up, since we’ve been on the road for over a week at this point.

 

Friday April 22

Software problems with Contribute, and Mary loses everything she has done for the website.  UGH! Not a good start to a rainy day.  Caryn takes the wheel, so Mary can rewrite in the car.  Lunchtime is drawing near, and a sign mentioning “SUPER FOOD” catches Caryn’s eye.  Inside, Mary orders some broasted chicken, and Caryn chooses the buffet.  Mary toys with the idea of buying a t-shirt, but the $20 price tag puts a quick end to that thought. We get some broasted chicken to go, and head back to the highway. The rest of the day is an uneventful windy, rainy drive, that finds us in Eureka MO, where we use a coupon for a room at the Econolodge.  We head down the road to the award winning SuperSmokers for a BBQ dinner.