LATEST TRICKS: Quilts, Gardens and Country Cooking

Elkhart County, Indiana
Thursday, September 9, 2010

Arose to find a beautiful beige and white cat sitting under the tree outside our window at the Patchwork Quilt Country Inn in Middlebury, IN.  "Hunter Man", we found out later, is the resident mouser and friendly, lovable companion.  We enjoyed a full country breakfast overlooking the bucolic farm lands surrounding the inn.  The sun was sparkling and the nuthatches were busy feeding away.

Innkeepers, Tammy & Ed provided us with a CD audio tour of Indiana's heritage trail and we set off for a day of exploration in Northern Indiana's Amish Country.  We were fortunate to be in Elkhart County during "Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail", an event that encompasses seven communities with 17 quilt-inspired gardens and 17 hand painted quilt-themed murals.  The Elkhart County Visitor Center also displayed some beautiful handmade quilts.  The Wellfield Botanical Garden was an especially delightful surprise--a peaceful oasis at the waterworks in Elkhart.  It was a stunning setting for their quilt garden display. 

Linton's Enchanted Gardens was also true to it's title with everything from the quilt garden to whimsical displays throughout their property.  In all, we visited four quilt gardens and two quilt murals along the way.

After a sunny day of beautiful sights, it was time for "fortification" in the form of an Amish-style dinner at Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury.  Chicken and noodles, barbequed pork ribs, fresh country fried chicken, shoe fly pie...oh my!

We passed many Amish horse-drawn buggies as we drove through the countryside on the way back to the inn.  One last discovery for the evening... Michigan.  The Michigan border was just a mile from the turn off to our inn.  So, we made a quick trip over the state line, then "home" for a cozy, restful night. 
-- Ted and Laura