Our journey so far, since leaving Cloquet in September:
Bear Cave Resort is one of the prettiest RV parks we've been in since we started our nomad life. Located alongside the St. Joseph River in southern Michigan, it’s surrounded by oak, maple, and lots of redbud trees. The park has over 170 sites, some with full hook-up (water, electric and sewer, which we have and for which we’re thankful), some with partial hookup (electric and water only), and a few extended stay sites with park model trailers on them. There’s a large clubhouse, complete with billiards, a movie room, book exchange, a separate game room, and kitchen; another site has a large pool with another clubhouse and kitchen with facilities for outdoor grilling for the masses. A walk behind the office to the river disclosed a covered bridge with access to walking trails throughout the park.
Bear Cave Resort is one of the prettiest RV parks we've been in since we started our nomad life. Located alongside the St. Joseph River in southern Michigan, it’s surrounded by oak, maple, and lots of redbud trees. The park has over 170 sites, some with full hook-up (water, electric and sewer, which we have and for which we’re thankful), some with partial hookup (electric and water only), and a few extended stay sites with park model trailers on them. There’s a large clubhouse, complete with billiards, a movie room, book exchange, a separate game room, and kitchen; another site has a large pool with another clubhouse and kitchen with facilities for outdoor grilling for the masses. A walk behind the office to the river disclosed a covered bridge with access to walking trails throughout the park.
From the office and for $3, one can have a self-guided tour of the bear caves located directly beneath the office near the river. When the Indians first inhabited this area, it was teeming with black bears that lived and hibernated in those caves. The bears have since disappeared, but not the caves.
Another interesting tidbit of information on the bear
cave: it’s the only naturally formed cave in Michigan. Formed in something
called "tufa rock" which is a secondary limestone, it's estimated that this
particular bed of rock is at least 25,000 years old and is resting on a glacial
drift deposited during the last ice age, or approximately 50,000 years ago. I
mentioned the “cave tour” earlier. Along the 40' winding stairway that leads
through the cave, you will see stalactites, petrified leaves, and other
peculiar shapes. The metal oxides of native ores color the entire cave. The
cave itself measures 15' deep, 4'-6' wide, and 1'-15' high.
The caves were also instrumental in the
Underground Railway system during the period of slavery. And, in 1875, the "loot" from an Ohio bank robbery was "deposited" in the cave. This became the
inspiration for the 1903 silent film, "The Great Train Robbery." The film is
now considered a silent film classic and was the precursor of the thriller
movies of today.
We’re within about 5 miles of Buchanan,
Michigan, which has enough infrastructure to support the community, including a
couple of elementary schools, the high school, public library—and it even has a
McDonalds and 2 Dollar Stores! (Alas, we needed to drive to Niles, Michigan,
about 7 miles beyond Buchanan for a Walmart…)
Also, we’re within about a mile of the Redbud Motocross
Popularly known as "Redbud City," because
of the many beautiful redbud trees that have historically lined the city
streets and major approaches to the city, Buchanan has also been recognized, by
the National Arbor Day Foundation, as a Tree City USA. Originally known as
McCoy Creek, so named in 1833 after an early settler Russell McCoy, it was
eventually renamed Buchanan after James Buchanan, the 15th president
of the United States, who had taken the Territory of Michigan’s side during its
battle for statehood.
The St. Joseph River I mentioned earlier was once a major transportation route for
Native American tribes in the area, especially the Potawatomi tribe. The area
was first settled in 1833 at the spot where the St. Joseph River meets the
McCoy Creek. The village of Buchanan was incorporated in 1858.
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| During October the businesses in Buchanan created stuffed dolls; these are just a few. Most are posed individually and attached to sign posts, light poles, and any other vertical post throughout the town. |
Much
of Buchanan’s rich history has been preserved along Front Street, which
includes many beautifully restored 19th-century homes. The town’s
fortuitous location is at a juncture where the St. Joseph River drops 60 feet
to create powerful water surges, which at one time propelled 13 mills,
including Pears Flour Mill, the sole surviving mill. Built in 1857, this Greek
Revival working mill has been fully restored with a water wheel and millstones
that continue to grind flour and cornmeal. Unfortunately, they’re open to the
public only on Saturdays, so we weren’t able to tour the inside, but we thought
we’d share these photos of the exterior.
For
a small community, Buchanan offers quite a variety of interesting things to
see: the Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve; The Tin Shop Theatre
located in a historic building constructed in 1865 as a furniture shop; the
Buchanan Art Center located in a mid-century Prairie-style building; a variety
of eating establishments, including the Wheatberry Restaurant & Tavern and
the Tabor Hill Restaurant & Winery; and a whole host of coffee houses.
Monday
was sort of a day of rest for us. We did head into town to check emails (no
WiFi in the park), and to publish the blog; then, we headed to the Niles,
Michigan to Walmart for a few items. The remainder of the day was spent
chillin’ in our coach. The rain showered us occasionally, but there were sun
sightings between the drops.
Tuesday
we headed to South Bend, Indiana, about 15 miles away, to explore Notre Dame
University. The day was beautiful, with bright sunshine, no clouds, and temps
in the mid- to upper 60s. Perfect.
Notre
Dame was quite impressive, both in size
(1,250 acres) and beauty. The campus is designed primarily for pedestrians,
encouraging safety and community spirit, so vehicle access is limited and
monitored. There were a lot of bicycles and skateboards in evidence. The
school’s property includes more than 130 buildings, 2 lakes, 2 golf courses,
and a Catholic cemetery open to members of the Notre Dame family.
It
was interesting to note that the student to faculty ratio is 12:1. Not bad,
considering that there are almost 8,000 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate
students on campus from all 50 states and 100 countries. About ¼ of
undergraduate students are referred to as “legacy” students, whose parents had attended
the university. There are 74 bachelor degree programs across the 4 colleges and
1 school on site, as well as graduate and professional degree programs. Nearly
75% of students receive financial aid, with the average scholarship offered at
a bit over $30,000. There are more than 350 student clubs and organizations on
campus; 13 men’s varsity sports teams, 13 women’s varsity sports teams, and a
wide range of intramurals and club sports.
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| Louise |
Founded in 1842 by Edward F. Sorin, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Notre Dame’s student body is about 83% catholic; however, people from all faiths are welcome. Following are just some of the photos taken of the campus, with captions.
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| Grounds of Notre Dame, the Main Building (administrative offices), and the rotunda inside. Beautiful! |
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| The Basilica |
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| Hesburgh Library |
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| Just a few of the Word of Life murals embedded in the exterior walls of the library. |
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| War Memorial dedicated to those who fought and may have given their lives in the Korean War, World War II, and Viet Nam. |
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| Clockwise from top: Football stadium; Knute Rockne Gate leading into footbll stadium; statue to Knute Rockne to the right of his gate; the Four Horsement of Notre Dame (comprised a winning group of American football players under coach Knute Rockne. During the entire 3-year tenure of the Four Horsemen, Notre Dame lost only 2 games, one each in 1922 and 1923, both to Nebraska in Lincoln before packed houses). |
On
campus is the very impressive Snite Museum of Art, considered one of the finest
university art museums in the country. It contains over 27,000 works representing
many of the principal cultures and periods of world art history. The 70,000
square-foot building was a gift of the Snite family in memory of Frederick
Snite, Jr., from the Notre Dame class of 1933. Here, we took in the featured
exhibits: "The Roaring Twenties Exuberance & Depression Era Extravagance," selections from the Jack B. Smith*
automobile collection; the exhibit of early Mexican artifacts; and, early
American artifacts. *Jack Smith and
his wife Laura are both Notre Dame alumni, involved in and fund various
programs on campus.
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| Top to bottom: 1931 Cadillac Series 355A Fleetwood Dual Cowl Phaeton; 1932 Auburn 8-100A Speedster, 1923 Studebaker Big Six Speedster, 1932 Packard Light Eight Roadster (900) |
Thursday
we again headed to South Bend to take in the Studebaker National Museum, the
historic Oliver Mansion, and the South Bend Chocolate Company.
Studebaker
History
First a bit of Studebaker history. The world of Studebakers
began in February 1852 when Henry and Clement Studebaker opened the H&C
Studebaker blacksmith shop in South Bend, near the St Joseph River. Three
younger brothers would later join the firm, and soon it became the world’s
largest manufacturer of wagons and buggies, under the name Studebaker Brothers
Manufacturing Company. In 1880 production moved to a newer plant south of
downtown.
The Studebakers entered the automobile market in 1902 with
the introduction of the electric car. (Thomas Edison purchased the 2nd
electric car they produced.)
Gas powered models arrived in 1904, and until 1920 Studebaker offered a full line of horse drawn and self-propelled vehicles. At this point horse drawn production ended and the company name changed to The Studebaker Corporation. Although the 1920s were very profitable years for Studebaker, the effects of the Great Depression saw Studebaker enter receivership in 1933, but within a few years and under the leadership of the company’s vice presidents Hoffman and Vance, Studebaker was led back to solvency by 1935.
Gas powered models arrived in 1904, and until 1920 Studebaker offered a full line of horse drawn and self-propelled vehicles. At this point horse drawn production ended and the company name changed to The Studebaker Corporation. Although the 1920s were very profitable years for Studebaker, the effects of the Great Depression saw Studebaker enter receivership in 1933, but within a few years and under the leadership of the company’s vice presidents Hoffman and Vance, Studebaker was led back to solvency by 1935.
With the onset of WWII, Studebaker began producing military
vehicles and equipment, just as it had for every conflict since the Civil War.
While previous wars relied on horse drawn vehicles, Studebaker’s defense
contracts called for B-17 Flying Fortress engines, US6 6x6 military trucks and
the amphibious M29 and M29C Weasels.
Following the war, Studebaker introduced
all-new styling for the 1947 model year, including the famous “bullet nose”
styling; 1951 saw the introduction of Studebaker’s V8 engine. For all its
success, Studebaker faced stiff competition in the ‘50s, and the 1954 merger
with Packard Motor Car Company was terminated in 1958. Studebaker rebounded in
1959 with the introduction of the compact Lark, however, in 1960 their
competitors also introduced their compacts, pushing Studebaker once again back
into the red. The sporty Avanti was introduced in 1962, hoping to give
Studebaker the edge it needed to get back into the black, but their financial
woes continued. Studebaker closed its South Bend plant in 1963, although their
Ontario facility stayed open until the last Studebaker was completed in March
1966.
The Studebaker National Museum
The Studebaker National Museum traces its
roots to the late 19th century when Clement Studebaker purchased the
Lincoln and Lafayette carriages (these carriages are on display in the museum).
By the 1960s the collection had grown to 37 vehicles (referred to as the
“original collection”) and included 4 presidential carriages, the 1st
and last Studebakers built at the South Bend facility, and the last Studebaker
ever built.
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| President Lincoln's 1865 Barouche; he and his wife rode in this to Ford Theatre the night he was shot. |
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| President Grant's 1873 Landau |
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| President Harrison's 1889 Brougham |
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| President McKinley's 1900 Phaeton |
The Studebaker Corporation donated its
collection and archives to the City of South Bend in late 1966; the collection
was housed in numerous locations throughout South Bend. In October 2005 the
55,000-square foot National Museum opened its new home, and the entire
collection was moved to one location. The building has three levels and
features fully climate-controlled galleries and storage facilities to ensure the
best possible care for the collection. Here’s a link to a Packard Hawk video
(RJ’s favorite car in the collection), shot on the 2nd floor of the
museum.
Today, The Studebaker National Museum’s
collection boasts over 120 vehicles, with about 70 on display at any one time. These
are just a few.
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| Top to bottom, left to right: 1857 Phaeton, 1904 Model C, 1905 Sleigh, 1911 Electric Coupe, 1919 Big Six, 1920 Farm Wagon |
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| Top to Bottom, left to right: 1925 Big Six Duplex Phaeton, 1932 President St. Regis Brougham with golf club door, 1941 Champion Coupe Delivery2, 1947 Champion Deluxe Station Wagon, 1950 Studebaker and me! |
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| Top to bottom: 1952 Commander Starliner, 1955 Packard Caribbean, 1957 Golden Hawk 300 |
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| L to R: 1957 Golden Hawk 300, 1961 Hawk 2 |
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| 1963 Avanti |
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| Salute to women's baseball |
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| World War I exhibit |
Prior to the 1850’s, farmers used wooden plows with a metal edge to help them work the earth. These plows were not sturdy and often broke against the hard ground. Damp soil would also stick to them, making the whole process difficult and less efficient.
In 1857, Oliver received a patent to make “chilled” plows. The plows were cast in a mold which allowed the metal to be cooled rapidly, resulting in a hard surface that kept a sharp edge. The plows were also extremely smooth, alleviating the problem of sticking soil.
Oliver’s plows became commonplace throughout the United States and around the world. By the turn of the 20th century, he employed over a thousand men and produced as many as three hundred thousand plows a year, living up to its slogan, “Plowmakers for the World.”
Adjacent to the Studebaker Museum is the
historic Oliver Mansion, owned by J.D. Oliver, which was our next stop.
Oliver Mansion
Built in 1895-1896, the Oliver Mansion
(also referred to as Copshaholm named after an ancestral Scottish town) was
home to J.D. Oliver, president of the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, located in
South Bend. The company was founded by J.D.’s father, James.
Copshaholm is located on Washington Street in South Bend, on 2.5 acres of landscaped “Italianate” gardens, including a teahouse, rose garden, pergola, tennis lawn and fountain. (The home and gardens are listed on the National Register of Historic places, and is registered as an American Treasure.
Copshaholm is located on Washington Street in South Bend, on 2.5 acres of landscaped “Italianate” gardens, including a teahouse, rose garden, pergola, tennis lawn and fountain. (The home and gardens are listed on the National Register of Historic places, and is registered as an American Treasure.
Upon its completion in 1896, 19th
century industrialist J.D. Oliver, his wife, Anna, and their 4 children moved
into their new home. Copshaholm is a 38-room Romanesque Queen Anne-styled
house, built of native Indiana fieldstone, which was transported and cut on
site by skilled masons. It was one of the first homes in South Bend to have
electricity.
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| Notice the curved window, that follows the contours of the home's exterior. Carol was our tour guide for the mansion. |
Following are just a few photos of the
seemingly hundreds that we took during our tour of the home. We were mightily
impressed! The attention to detail was unbelievable; we hope you can see the
beauty on display through these photos.
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| All entry doors are 3" thick, with leaded glass. the room to the right is the receiving room, just as you enter the home. |
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| The library; notice the ceiling details and the extraordinary detailing on the fireplace. |
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| The dining room; the wall coverings are all woven tapestries. |
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| The music room; the children are detailed playing musical instruments in the plasterwork. |
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| J.D.'s office. His Scottish heritage is noted throughout, in the furnishings and decor of the room. |
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| Mrs. Oliver's sitting room |
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| The kitchen and butler's pantry; notice the safe in the corner of the pantry. All silver was locked up at night. |
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| Side entry, with 3" thick door; bannister leading to 2nd floor; reading "nook" between floor; and the view across the 2nd floor landing, looking over the receiving room, |
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| Master bedroom suite; notice the original bath fixtures and the |
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| Left to right: girl's room, boys' room, guest room for inlaws, and dressing area. |
The formal Italianate
garden was designed circa 1907 by the same interior designer who decorated the
famous Oliver Hotel in South Bend. Lilies, peonies, lilacs, tulips, daffodils,
dogwood, irises, and lilies-of-the-valley are some of the flowers and bushes
that bloom in the Historic Oliver Gardens. The gardens are being restored to
look as they did in 1915. It is well-known that the Oliver family used their
gardens quite extensively for entertaining, hosting numerous lawn socials and
lawn tennis parties.
Also adjacent to the
Studebaker Museum and just a short walk from Copshaholm, is the 1,200 square
foot “Worker’s Home,” a modest residence
that may have been home to a Polish, working class, factory worker of the
Oliver Chilled Plow Works. Painted white, the house reflects the subtle, clean
and fresh look prominent during the early 1930s. It’s quite a contrast to the
vivid and oft-times gaudy colors of the Victorian Era of this time. The home
has a living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and 3 bedrooms. The home was moved to
the property of J.D. Oliver in 1907, where a succession of Copshaholm staff
lived until the mid-1980s.
Whew! It had been a
full and busy day so far, but we weren’t done yet. Our last stop was at the
South Bend Chocolate Factory, which was on our way out of South Bend.
In 1991 Mark
Tarner founded the South Bend Chocolate Factory. Since then he has opened 13
company-owned stores in northern Indiana and 4 franchised locations throughout
Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The factory, located on West Sample Street in South
Bend occupies 60,000 square feet, and includes an outlet store and production
area, as well as the packaging and shipping area. The company got its start
making chocolates under a license from Notre Dame, and its first 3 products
were created for Notre Dame: the Domers (a chocolate truffle whipped until it’s
silky smooth, covered in pure milk chocolate, named in honor of Notre Dame’s
students and alumni), Rocknes named after guess who? (a mound of premium
chocolate blended with coconut, almonds and a cherry flavoring), and nuts
(chocolate covered Brazil nuts, cashews, almonds, pecans and filberts). Now, there
are over 500 products and it’s the fastest growing chocolate company in the US.
We toured the
facility guided by Emily, were treated to a couple of tidbits each, and ended
up in the outlet store where we just had
to purchase some goodies to take with us: pecan turtles with sea salt,
raspberry cremes, dark peanut-butter squares, and Rocknes. Yum-yum!!!
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| Top left to right: South Bend Chocolate Factory entrance; our tour guide, Emily; Bottom left to right: me with Ethel and Lucy (" Speed it up a little!"); and, the machines used to cover the candies in chocolate. |
To order and
experience a bit of the delectable treats from the chocolate factory, click
here: www.sbchocolate.com.
On our way back
to Bear Cave Park we stopped for pizza, and to spend a bit of time computing,
since we don’t have WiFi at the park. That evening the temperatures dipped to
the low 40s—really cold. Overnight
something happened to the electrical connection in the rear of the trailer,
where the living room is. None of the outlets work back there, but they work in
other areas of the coach (kitchen, bathroom and bedroom). Thankfully, the
12-volt lights still work so we’re not totally in the dark, and we do have heat.
Bummer, though, since this also affected the TV, but we did connect an
extension cord so we could watch it. (Marv and Shirl, we may need to alter our
route to make a stop to see you on our way to Texas. We’re like bad pennies—we
keep showing up! Ha!)
Friday we drove
to Buchanan to the library for our final opportunity to compute before leaving
on Saturday, and to wash and fuel the truck. There are always things that can
be done prior to the final preparations the day we leave, so while Dick did the
outside stuff, I stayed indoors and did my own stuff. I’m sure I was the
warmer, as temps didn’t get much above 58° all day.
Saturday we got
up to 38° temperatures, but lots of sunshine. We did the final preparations,
and headed out to Ohio to see Dick’s brother and family. We’ll have more of
that next week.
We hope this
finds you well and warm in this chilly fall weather.
Blessings,
RJ and Gail
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