Mishawaka Bus Tour

Got to go on a "Mishawaka Bus Tour" with Gabi's 3rd grade class today and it was well worth it! We got it done before the rain hit which was a good thing. Learned some very interesting things...


1. Most of the Mishawaka streets were named by dominant families who basically helped find Mishawaka - Hurd family, Battell family, Eberhart family, Merrifield family and Beiger family. 2. Kate's Garden is the smallest garden in Mishawaka. The statue of two people forming an arch touching hands is to honor our teachers. Passing knowledge from one person to the next.
3. The Furniture store (old Mishawaka High School) is closing but will be renovated into something else to preserve the history.
4. Dodge Manufacturing (where my daddy worked for many, many years) was the second largest employer in Mishawaka. They manufactured the magic jack (to change buggy wheels), also the machinery that moves the bowling ball up to the bowler at the bowling alley AND Gabi thought it was really cool that they manufactured the speed mechanics on roller coasters.
5. The rock wall along Battell Park was part of Works Progress Administration in the 1930's. Our own Mishawaka's stimulus package to get people working during the Depression.

I enjoyed visiting the Shiojiri Gardens. It is said that you lose alot of your stress when coming out from visiting...unfortunately, the garden didn't work it's magic on me.

Anyways, a good time. I actually think this tour should be available to the older kids at school. I learned quite a bit from it (stopped at all the parks) - and had fun too! Found some great photo locations as well :)

Happy Friday everyone!