What is Northern Indiana famous for?  Most people immediately go to Lake Michigan, or Shipshewana. Did you know that Indiana, more specifically Northern Indiana, is known for RV manufacturing.  As a matter of fact, Elkhart, Indiana has  been called “The RV Capital of the World.”  Today we are heading north to Elkhart to take a look at the RV and MH Hall of fame.

What is this hall of fame you ask?  Well have no fear, I am here to tell you all about it!  The RV and MH(Manufactured Home) Hall of Fame is a museum in Elkhart, Indiana.  This museum will take you through time exploring the history of RV beginnings to the future. There is also a Manufactured Home Museum on site as well that is pretty cool.  It also explores the history of manufactured homes.  Both have exhibits that you can tour.  Most of the RVs you can enter, there are a few that are marked off so you have to look with your eyes only.

A lot of people are not aware that there is a museum like this in Indiana.  We have been here before, however there is a new superstar to the arsenal of campers.  We are avid followers of a few full time RVers on YouTube.  One in particular is Keep Your Daydream.  This is a vlog of the adventures of Marc and Tricia Leach and their family as they wander across the States, and sometimes more than the States.

Well Keep Your Daydream went on an epic road trip one season down Route 66.  They did this in this bitchin’ 1984 Blue Bird Wanderlodge.  This thing was even decked out in Route 66 décor!  After the season was over, Marc and Trish donated “The Bird” to the museum and now it is my mission to see it. Who drives two hours to see an RV that we may not even be able to enter?  The crazy Gadabouts, that’s who!

Admission to The Hall of Fame is $15 bucks a person, this may vary with different ages such as children and seniors.  This gets you into the RV and the Manufactured Housing exhibits.  There is also a gift shop for you to buy any souvenirs if needed.

Your journey starts by watching a short film that gives a brief history of the museum and information about all the exhibits that you will be pursuing. Once you are finished there, you can move on to the showstoppers.

We started in the Go RVing Hall.  This is not required, this just happened to be where we  ended up.  This display is basically the RVs of today, and I guess the future.  I was most impressed with what was apparently a concept RV?  This thing had it all!  Lavish interior, check. Shower that could also double as a steam room, check. Elegant LED backlit stairs that lead to your rooftop deck that is decked out with a hot tub and a helipad, CHECK! I had to get out of this thing fast for I trashed the place up.

Next we headed down memory lane, not really, most people from this era have passed on. The RV Founders Hall is a walk through the past starting with the earliest of RVs and takes you through the evolution of different types of recreational vehicles. The Road Back into Time(actual road through the museum) starts you off with the 1913 Earl Trailer and Model T Ford.  This rig, according to The Hall of Fame website, is believed to be the oldest non-tent travel trailer in existence.

This is just the beginning of an epic adventure through the history of the recreational vehicle, and there were some tent campers too.  Some campers, I was amazed by the simplicity, and some I was shocked by the extravagance for the time period. There are pull behind, tent campers, RVs, camper vans, and other oddities.

I had plenty of favorites for sure!  The 1937 Hunt Housecar reminded me of an Airstream that you could drive.  It had such sleek lines and was something I had never seen before. The 1915 Model T with 1916 Telescope Apartment, reminded me of a hearse.  Upon further inspection though it had built in dressers on the OUTSIDE!  The 1969 Ford Based  Chassis Mount Motorhome also stands out, not just because it is green and that is my favorite color, but because it is just badass.  And finally the  1974 GMC Motorhome was all things 70’s.  Holy shag carpet it was awesome!

There is truly something for everyone here.  Now we have been here before and today there is one rig that was my personal mission to see, THE BIRD!  As mentioned before, we do not know if we will have access to this gem or not.  As we follow the road around the exhibits, I see a light shining down from the heavens.  I also could have sworn that I heard angels singing in the background.  Behold!  The Bird is straight ahead, AND, it is not roped off and it does not have a “Do not enter” sign.  Victory is mine!

Now I do not just love this thing because I am a starstruck fan, no, no. I am a big fan of vintage buses and would love to have one for ourselves.  The Bluebird is a vintage 1984 Bluebird MotorLodge.  It has my favorite “smash face” look and is a cream hue that is trimmed out in burgundy.  It also has Keep Your Daydream’s trademarks on the back and the Daydream banner on the front.  Please don’t come to the internet on the colors, these are my descriptions.

Inside, The Bird was just like I had watched on YouTube.  The furniture was done up with Route 66 upholstery and there were Route 66 signs donned throughout the rig.  The bathroom was pretty large compared to what I imagined.  The only thing we did not have access to was the driver and passenger seat.  I loved every minute and now have been whining to Korey about our need for a bus.

After we saw the main event, we moved on to something we had not seen.  The Manufactured Housing exhibits.  This takes you back through the first ‘house trailers” and how they have changed throughout the years. 

This was a memory lane for me, as discussed in a previous post, I grew up with a house with wheels under it.  These vintage trailers were so much fun to see.  They had mid-century flair and were more roomy than I remembered.  We were in a trailer at the same time as another couple and she deemed the interior style as Italian.  I almost lost it for a second but maintained my composure.

There are current models at the end of the tour that are pretty impressive.  These are still available in single and double wide.  I know this is not the technical term, but this is the term I grew up with so you will have to just endure it.  These models were open concept and had all the bells and whistles.  If you had a piece of land somewhere these would make a fine place to call home.  I was quite impressed with the new models and the features that they offer.

The RV and MH Hall of Fame seems to be a little known treasure that everyone who loves camping, history, and travel needs to see, at least once or maybe twice.  Even though I have seen these before, I had such a good time exploring it again.  Please check out the website and take a road trip.  If you have been, please let me know your favorite exhibit in the comments.

If you are already cruising around up North, you can finish off your day in Shipshewana.  This was only about a 30 minute drive. If you do go, be aware of the Amish community and drive with care as there are many buggies going down the road.  Please be patient.  

Shipshewana is a cool little town where you can take in Amish culture, food, quaint shops, shows, buggy rides, and more. When we stopped they were having Icefest.  The town had several ice sculptures in several areas of scattered around the town square.  I guess there was also a chili cookoff as well but we missed it.

We did end our day after shopping with dinner at The Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery.  This is the gem of the town with home cooked Amish food and baked goods.  There is a sit down restaurant and a buffet, so you have choices.  I have NEVER had anything bad from this place.  It is spectacular!  When you leave don’t forget to go to the bakery part and get some cookies for the road, you can thank me later.