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RVing in Amish Acres

Amish Acres is one place you won't want to miss if you're traveling near South Bend, Indiana. Located about 25 miles southeast in Napanee, Indiana, you're sure to find something for everyone. Stew Oleson's video gave you a nice idea of what to expect, but there's much more to experience that even a great video can't convey.

Peace and Quiet

Starting with it's setting in the beautiful Indiana farming community, you can't miss the peaceful quietness of the area. Even though you'll be surrounded by busy, hard-working people going about their daily business, the absence of "hustle-and-bustle" is apparent. The culture is slower-paced, but meticulous and known for producing quality work no matter what job is being done.

So, that's good to know when it comes to eating in their famous Restaurant Barn, opened in 1968 in a refurbished 100-year-old Amish barn. If you don't do anything else here, stay for a meal-and come hungry. Their menu hasn't changed since we first went there in 1975, and that's probably because there's little anyone could do to improve on it.

Whet Your Appetite

Meals are served home-style, at a large table set for the feast that's coming your way. They start the meal by bringing you an iron crock full of ham and bean soup served with hearth bread, apple butter and relishes. It's hard to stop at just one bowl, and if you empty the pot, they'll keep bringing more until you're ready for the next course. But, go slowly because you want to save room for the main dishes.

Served family-style they set before you platters of roasted chicken, cider-baked ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, noodles and beef, sage dressing, green beans-and they keep refilling these platters as fast as they are emptied, too. If that isn't enough, your meal includes dessert. You can choose from any of their incredible homemade pies (here's your chance to try shoofly pie.) No reservation is needed.

On the way out you can stop at their bakery where they offer a wide assortment of pies, cookies breads and pastries, and visit their gift shop.

Entertainment

Over at the Round Barn they present plays year round, and on selected Friday nights, offer a theme-coordinated dinner based upon the play that's running at that time. These gourmet dinners do require reservations.

About the Amish

We enjoyed a tour of typical Amish buildings and work sites, including a typical home. Though historic, it is still the way the Amish live today-very simple. Their homes are furnished without adornment, and with furnishings that are designed for functionality. Windows lack curtains, as they consider curtains to be an adornment.

Apple butter was made in outdoor crocks over an open fire, and you might be fortunate enough to watch a batch being cooked up while you're there. They also have demonstrations of other crafts like blacksmithing.

No doubt you'll see several of the familiar black horse-drawn carriages, with the bright orange triangle on the back. Drive carefully and remember that this is their home. Though they slow traffic on the roads, slowing down one of the main joys in visiting Amish Acres in the first place-so relax and appreciate how peaceful and productive this slower lifestyle can be.

Not only do the Amish live without electric appliances and most other modern conveniences, but, everything, including their clothing is simple and humble. For example they use no buttons on their clothing and the men don't wear mustaches, but do wear beards. Yet, they do use washing machines that are powered by air pressure, and lights that run on propane.

RVing Around Nappanee

Though it may seem a contradiction, many Amish work at the nearby Coachman RV manufacturing and assembly plant. As Stew pointed out, over 50% of the RVs manufactured in the U.S. are made within an hour of Nappanee. And, speaking of RVs, there's RV camping nearby. Stew mentions the nearby E.V. Pines campground as one nice place to stay.

Because they've preserved a full-cycle lifestyle by which their communities are self-sustaining, I've often wondered if they wouldn't be the ones we'd turn to should all the lights go out.