Amish Country...Indiana

We visited the Amish Country in Pennsylvania last October and I really enjoyed it so, when I learned there was a large Amish population in Indiana, I had to visit.

The Amish and Mennonites are predominantly in Shipshewana and Middlebury, Indiana. I planned for a week there to take advantage of the lower weekly campsite rates but we were enjoying the area so much we added another three days!

The countryside is beautiful and the food is good. The whole feeling of the area was friendlier than in Pennsylvania. Horse and buggies clip clop on the streets and the people waved at us, children smiled at me in stores and workers engaged in conversation.

Quilt Garden in front of Menno-Hof

We visited Menno-Hof and learned much about their history and the differences among the Amish, Beachy Amish, Amish-Mennonite, Conservative Mennonites, and Mennonites. They are all Christians and strive to model their lives after Christ and to bring no harm to others.

The Amish are the most conservative with the others being less conservative up to the Mennonites who are least conservative. I can't begin to write about all I learned...or even remember all the details...but can give some examples. The Amish eschew technology, use no electricity, do not drive cars (but will ride in them), dress in a proscribed way so as not to draw attention to themselves, and do not educate their children beyond eighth grade. The Mennonites have embraced technology, including computers and cell phones, wear modern clothes and can pursue higher education up to and including doctoral degrees. Perhaps I shouldn't be, but I was very surprised to learn of the horrible persecution directed at such gentle people over the centuries. I was even more shocked to learn it still exists today...that some people will try to run their buggies off the road...just because they are different. Modern society could do well to learn from them.

We did some local shopping and found two wonderful stores. Yoder's Meat and Cheese, where we bought steaks and hamburgers that are hormone, steroid, and antibiotic free...at the same prices I usually pay in a grocery store. We also discovered E & S Sales, somewhat jokingly described to us as an Amish Costco. It's not nearly as large and doesn't sell tires, furniture, clothes etc. but the food prices are terrific. Too bad we don't have room in the RV for bulk buying.

Naturally, we enjoyed the food. The two most popular restaurants in the area are The Blue Gate and Das Effenhaus. Blue Gate has a menu or you can order family style, the downside is that one person can't order family style, everyone at the table must order family style. Das Effenhaus has three different sections, one for menu, one for family style and one for buffet so, again, everyone must want the same eating style. We didn't agree on style so we ordered from the menu at both places. They were both good and we ate at each one twice...The Blue Gate is a little more expensive. The pies were awesome. Jack favors any kind of apple pie, I fell in love with Red Raspberry Cream pie and Red Raspberry Chocolate Cream pie...yum!

We also frequented a smaller place called the 5 & 20 Country Kitchen...located at the intersection of highways 5 and 20 of course! The food was similar to the other two and much less expensive, though not as varied. They also have a small buffet for those who prefer. We enjoyed all three places, but the highlight was the waitress at the 5 & 20. Her name is Ida and she is Amish, maybe about forty-ish. We made a point of always asking for a table in her area. Besides being a good waitress, she was pleasant and friendly and nice to talk with. She told us a good bit about the Amish and I also learned that she is single and owns her own home, which is rather progressive for an Amish woman...in my opinion. We will definitely look for her when we are back in the area...and we will go back.