International FROG Rally 11-17 August 2024 - Goshen Indiana

When the International FROG Rally for 2024 was announced earlier this year, we made the decision we wanted to attend. Open to only RVs made by Forest River or affiliated brand , it is held at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen, Indiana about 5 hours from home.

We arrived Sunday just after lunch escorted to our site(RPod section)by rally volunteers, got everything hooked up, and now ready for a weeks worth of fun. Next we had to register and get our packet which included tons of information about the rally and surrounding area. We walked around the fairgrounds getting the lay of the land, watched horses train on the nearby track, watched kids showing their 4H animals, all while being amazed at how many people and RVs are in attendance.

Meals were served in the largest building on the fairground, supper started at 5pm and breakfast at 7am. Each meal we sat with different people from across the US and Canada. The catering company did an amazing job serving between 600 and 700 people. Because the fairgrounds are so large, volunteers in golf carts (Pad Hopper Express) will pick you up and take you anywhere on the fairgrounds.

There were over 60 seminars and demonstrations held throughout the week located in the Community Center. A schedule was included in the registration packet. One of the greatest advantages of attending the rally is the factory service provided to any RV 2022 and newer. We had issues with our door and also slide kick plate. They replaced both plus they replaced the stairs which did not sit properly.

Ten additional tours were offered at a reasonable price, so we signed up for Boat, Bison, and BBQ (BB&B)on Tuesday. We got the bus at 3:15 and proceeded to the Cook's Bison Farm in Wolcottville IN. We were treated to a talk about the history of the farm, music by a local band, a bison dinner with all the fixin's and finally a tour of the bison.

After an amazing meal and tour of the bison farm we boarded the bus and headed to Lake Wawasee, the largest natural lake in Indiana for an evening cruise. We cruised the lake for over an hour, it was so peaceful I almost fell asleep. What an end to an amazing day topped off by a great sunset.

Wednesday we spent time with the dogs then ventured over to see the vendors. We met up with Brian, the RPod rep and he arranged a tour of the RPod factory which is located just down the road. It was an excellent tour, we got to see how RPods are made.

Thursday we signed up for the Amish Brown Bag tour, had absolutely no idea what to expect but it is a favorite. The bus loaded for an early start at 8:15 in the morning. Our first stop was E & S store in Shipshewana. This store is the go to place for many of the Amish families in the area. We were each given a large brown paper bag at the start hence the name of the tour. Our first stop we got a loaf of bread and cookies. 

The next stop was the Amish auction and market. Amish farmers bring their produce to the auction where an auctioneer would auction the produce off to the highest bidder.

Back on the bus we get to our next stop, an Amish rug weaving place. The husband and wife team(the Yoders) gave us a great demonstration on weaving with their giant looms. We each received a hand made place mat.

Beautiful Amish Farm

Time for lunch/supper. We were treated to an Amish wedding fest at the Carriage House in Topeka. It started with us making Amish peanut butter, a staple they eat after church. The ingredients are marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, butter, and corn syrup.

After the peanut butter experience everyone sat down to a feast I have never experienced before. It included meatloaf, chicken, potatoes, gravy, corn, bread, coleslaw, beans, and I'm sure I have forgotten something. If you went away hungry it was your own fault. The food just kept on coming. Dessert consisted of 3 different types of pies. Sorry no pics as I just kept eating.

With bellies full and ready for a snooze we had a few more stops to make. The first was a carriage maker. He still made all his horse carriages by hand. Some modern equipment is used like drills and so forth.

A stark contrast...

The last stop was Carolyns Kitchen, were jams and preserves are made with no granular sugar. For our brown bag we were treated to a jar of jam. After a long exciting day we got home in time to feed the dogs and take them for a walk to the ice cream social. Yes, who can pass up ice cream, even on a full stomach.

Friday was pretty much a day to relax. It started with a morning swap meet, selling stuff no longer needed, buying something you haven't got, or show off your hobbies and crafts. We didn't sell or buy anything. After lunch we grabbed a sundae at the ice cream social. Later in the evening a concert on the lawn featured "the Bulldogs" a band that plays 50-60's music. 

Saturday morning we had the last provided meal then started packing up getting ready to go home. We were not in any hurry and there was no set time we had to leave. After a nice long walk with the dogs we pulled out around noon. All in all it was a fantastic week. Would we do it again next year...absolutely we are already making plans.

Komoka Provincial Park

Length of Stay: 1 morning

Visited: August 2024

Komoka Provincial Park is a day-use park located near the town of Komoka along the scenic Thames River. The Thames River served as a major transportation route for early forestry and the fur trade. The park now is open year round for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. Much of the land is former agricultural land but now it's beautiful meadows and mature forest. There is a large parking lot with LED lighting, garbage bins, picnic tables,  and a privy. A DVP(day vehicle permit) is required to hike in the park which can be purchased online. 

The park provides a map at the trailhead of all the trails which are well marked. We chose to hike part of the white trail which I have marked in orange in the picture below. It started as a very easy hike but as we got closer to the river it got rougher and hillier.  

All in all a wonderful hike on a beautiful day. We passed only one person with a dog (on lead) while hiking for over an hour. It was so nice and peaceful all while listening to the birds and cicadas.