To Winnebago Industries in Iowa; and to Chicago

8/19/15 – Winnebago Plant Tour

This is a very big facility.  They produce all B and C class motorhomes on one assembly line; all A Class diesel pusher motorhomes on another assembly line; and all Class A Gas motorhomes on another assembly line.  In all the building is 800 yards long – just enormous.   All towables (5^th wheelers and trailers) are made in another location.  They employ 2900 people in the Forest City plant, and there are only 4500 residents of the town.  They showed us how they make everything, and it was impressive. Also, the people who work there are very nice. 

Riverview CG
on the Mississippi River

Off to Dubuque, Iowa for just an overnight.  We parked on an island in the Mississippi.  We had a beautiful view, but no water and we are out.  No dishes; no showers; and we are all grubby. 

8/20/15 – To my friend’s house, Maria Reid.  She lives in Gurnee, IL, about 30 miles north of Chicago.  Maria is the founder of Reid Foods, Inc which makes and distributes wonderful foods like jams, jellies, salsas, and soups, and many other things.  She has a talent at getting the mixture of many ingredients to taste great.  I brought home 2 cases of her products.  We will probably eat most of it on this trip. 

Maria took Tom and I to Chicago to the Chicago Art Institute, the #1 ranked art museum in the U.S.  It was a lot of walking, and frankly they didn’t have much of what I like, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Reynolds – classic Renaissance artists.  But they did have a lot of impressionists like Monet, Degas, and Manet.  We did have a Chicago hot dog (great!) and a lemon shaker (yummy!).  Took this great picture of the Trump building in downtown Chicago.

Trump Building Chicago

Downtown Chicago

Back to her house to rest our tired feet and order in Chicago deep dish pizza and a movie – what a great day.

Next day Maria and I ran errands – got nails done; drugstore; and shopping.  Then she took Tom, Mom, and I for a drive to Lake Michigan and around the beautiful homes in Lake Forest, IL.  It reminded me of Brentwood or San Marino, CA.  Gabbed all afternoon and went out to Mexican dinner with Tom and Mom.  Overall--a wonderful day. 

8/23/15 – Leaving Maria’s with fresh peaches off her tree, 2 boxes of her wonderful food and clean clothes.  Maria and I had a really good visit – I will miss her, but will see her next time she is out our way.    Drove south around Lake Michigan, then east to Elkhart, Indiana.  This is the “RV Capitol of the U.S.”.  Lots of manufacturers (except Winnebago), Dealers, and Suppliers here.  We will be here for 3 nights and hopefully get some browsing in.