Amana Mills, Shipshewana, and Trip home

Amana Mills, Shipshewana, Trip home

July 24, 25, 2018

RV Mileage 58,050

       We left Winterset, Iowa at 6:00 AM after refueling the RV and Jeep we headed to the woolen mill at Amana, IA. This mill was originally built in 1857 and has been in operation since. When we arrived we drove through town to the mill and it was too early so we took the Jeep to the bakery downtown. The rolls were great and we then headed back to the mill. This is the only operating weaving mill in Iowa and while they weren’t weaving they were threading up new warp on one of the looms.

Amana Mill

Making warp decision

Amana Mill Blankets

Warp holding racks

Loom Room

 Warp tensioner

       They have for sale lots of their work including beautiful blankets. We toured the facility and found out the original mill was much larger. Some of the buildings were destroyed when an adjacent flour mill exploded from the dust. Sherry bought a cone of wool and a shuttle, and I purchased a Tilley hat I had been wanting since Glacier National Park.

       We left Amana and found out this is one of seven towns in the colonies at this location. We were intrigued and would like to return and visit the other colonies in this area. We made reservations at Shipshewana Indiana for the night at the South RV Park. After we arrived we setup camp and then headed downtown to the shops. We then enjoyed the food at the Blue Gate restaurant.

     

July 25, 2018

      We left the South RV campground at Shipshewana and arrived in Geneva at 1pm. It has been a trip of a lifetime we saw several state and national parks and the Oregon coast line was magnificent. The Redwoods were awesome and words can’t describe all the sights we have seen.

      We were gone seven weeks and one day on this trip and traveled 7028 miles.  This trip has contributed to our memory banks and we hope to enjoy more trips in this beautiful country.

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