When we started this season of biking, we certainly did not
expect it to last into November, but when November brought some unseasonably
warm weather (relatively speaking), we quickly responded by loading up the
bikes, putting on a few layers and setting out for a new biking adventure. It became clear that this was to be “The A-B-C’s
of Biking” adventure.
Susie, school secretary extraordinaire and fellow bike path
enthusiast, has been raving about the Pumpkinvine Trail that goes right through
the heart of Indiana Amish country, between Middlebury and Shipshewana. Not too long, not too far away, and not too
hilly was her report and it sounded good to us….plus, she said we could look for
a very unusual animal on a particular farm along the path (that piqued my
curiosity) …but more on that later.
We decided to start in Middlebury, and easily found the
Pumpkinvine Trail right behind the local
Dairy Queen, just like Susie said. We
put on our layers, and our gloves and set out.
The path immediately is flanked by farms on each side (mostly Amish) ,
and many riders were coming towards Middlebury---and the Dairy Queen ---as it
appeared to be a favorite Saturday activity of the local Amish families.
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| A is for Amish--farms, harvesting and a school |
We enjoyed farmland, which was easily seen because the
leaves had fallen from the trees, exposing the beautiful scenery. It was easy to negotiate the several country
roads that crossed the Pumpkinvine Trail as many of farms belonged to the
Amish, resulting in fewer than usual cars on the backroads. Although is seemed
a bit late, there was still harvesting going on in the fields by the Amish
farmers, driving their horses as they pulled the harvesting equipment. Yes, “A is for Amish” in our A-B-C ride which also became clear when we
came upon an Amish School.
Amish schools are common, and as they are not very large,
many are needed to serve the Amish community…not mention that bussing students
from all across the rural area is not an option. All that I have seen are white, tidy, and always
seem to have a nice playground area too, something that I, as an elementary
teacher, always notice.
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| B is for Bike Parking on a crowded shopping day |
We continued on to Shipshe, where I promised Tom a wonderful
lunch at The Blue Gate Restaurant, a Shipshe favorite of ours…and hundreds of
other tourists! The Pumpkinvine Trail
takes a slight jog and travels on the surface roads into Shipshe. As we approached, it became clear that the
tourists were out in force, cars were bumper to bumper, and the sidewalks were
filled with people. We learned that it
was their pre-Christmas festival weekend, complete with a Light Parade scheduled
for 6 PM. Normally, this is the type of
weekend we would avoid because of the crowds, and we certainly has some
challenges avoiding cars and people as manuervered around town. However, being located in Amish Country, bike
racks are easily found in Shipshe, which led Tom to comment that we had a much
easier time finding a place “to park” compared to everyone circling around in their
cars..the “B is for Bike parking” in our A-B-C ride !!! A fabulous lunner or lupper (lunch/dinner/supper)
Amish inspired food (noodles, roast beef, fresh bread, apple butter, sweet
potato casserole) and we were ready for the 10 mile trek back….I was glad for
my gloves and sweatshirt.
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| The Historical Marker for Chief Shipshewana |
As we approached Shipshe, we noticed a historical marker
which we decided to visit on our way back to Middlebury. Turns out it was a marker to Chief
Shipshewana (who knew Shipshe was named after a person?) of the Pottawattamie
Indians who was allowed to return to die at Shipshewana Lake (who knew there
was a lake in Shipshe?) in 1835.
Curiously, Chief Shipshewana’s name means “vision of a lion.” Now, I may not know all the ins and outs, but
how does an Indian, in the early 1800’s , in the center of the United States, come to have a name that references an animal that
is indigenous to central Africa?
Enquiring minds (like mine) want to know!
But, what about the “C” in our A-B-C trip? Along the Pumpkinvine Trail, halfway between
Middlebury and Shipshewana, you can find an Indiana farm that is raising
CAMELS! Yes, as hard as it is to
believe, camels are being raised just off the Pumpkinvine Trail. Susie, my source for all things Pumpkinvine,
gave me the heads up to watch for them and we weren’t disappointed. There they were, calmly grazing in a couple
of large pens, oblivious to the fact this wasn’t Egypt nor a Christmas Pageant
(the most likely place you could see a live camel in northern Indiana). Now I’m not sure what the purpose is for
raising them, but I heard that camel milk is a very healthful alternative to
cow’s milk for some people, and I actually did once see a live camel at a
Christmas pageant. I just never
considered where they came from….or went back to after the program. Now I know!
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| C is for Camels (even in Northen Indiana |
Technically, the Pumpkinvine Trail goes beyond the DQ where
we parked our car, following some surface streets in Middlebury and ending up
on the other side of Middlebury…but that’s for another day.
Today we learned the A-B-C’s of the Pumpkinvine Trail. This unexpected November ride, leading us to
unexpected crowds, Indiana Chiefs and animals (camels…really?) was an awesome ride to end our season.
The stats: 13.5 (RT), Time: 1:28:30 , ODO: 469.30
Notable Nature Sightings:
Camels being raised by an Indiana Amish farmer
Oxymoron Sighting: Camels being raised in northern Indiana
by an Amish farmer…yeah..it covers 2 categories!
