2023 Fall Adventure Episode 14: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan

On February 15, 2025 By LToddIn Michigan, Photography, RV Travel, States, Travel3 Comments

With Grand Rapids, Michigan, only 100 miles north of Elkhart, Indiana, we jumped at the chance to check off another presidential library from our list.

I wondered why Ford’s library was in Ann Arbor, and the museum was in Grand Rapids. Ford agreed in 1963 that Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan would house his congressional papers.

Replica of sculpture in US Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. Created by J. Brett Grill.

Upon leaving the presidency, he deeded his papers to the National Archives and a new presidential library at the university in Ann Arbor was born. Since considered Grand Rapids his hometown, he opted to build the museum there.

The sculpture *Man in Space* by Judson Nelson commemorates President Ford’s commitment to the NASA space program. J. Brett Grill also sculpted Betty Ford’s statue.

All three sculptures exhibit a suggestion of movement. Ford holds papers in one hand and takes a step. The astronaut floats in space. And Betty smiles and reaches her hand out as if to welcome visitors. Or maybe she’s dancing a step.

Like most presidential museums, Ford’s starts off by telling the president’s life from birth and early years. Then moves on to education, political career, and the years after presidency.

Seeing the baby book surprised me. Did I miss them at other museums?

Gerald R. Ford was quite the catch in high school and at the University of Michigan. He played in the “All-City” and “All-State” football teams in high school. Then played on a national championship college football team in 1932 and 1933 at the University of Michigan where he earned a BA in economics. And in 1934 he was named valuable player.

If that’s not enough to impress the girls, he worked in the family paint business and at a local restaurant and became an Eagle Scout in November 1927. With all of his extra-curricular activities, time for a social life may not have existed.

Ford joined the Michigan Tribe and the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

He rejected offers to go pro from the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. Instead, he went to Yale to coach boxing and assistant coach varsity football. The coaching positions allowed him to attend Yale law school.

In 1941, he earned his bachelor of law (LLB) degree, passed the Michigan bar, and opened a law practice with one of his fraternity brothers. He also became active in Grand Rapids’ republican politics.

Ford set aside a professional athletic career for one in law

When the United States entered World War II, Ford joined the US Naval Reserve. His athleticism qualified him as a physical fitness instructor at a pre-flight school in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In 1943, he boarded the USS Monterey light aircraft carrier bound for the South Pacific. A typhoon in the Philippines in 1944 damaged the ship, sending Ford stateside until his discharge in February 1946.

Elected in 1948 to the house of representatives, where he continued to serve until sworn in as Nixon’s Vice President in December 1973 after Spiro Agnew resigned.

Gerald Ford and Betty Bloomer were married on October 15, 1948, two weeks before Ford was elected to his first term in congress. See more about Betty below.

Ford settled into his congressional duties and Betty settled in her life as a congressman’s wife. They raised four children during their time in Washington, DC.

The Fords had four children, three boys and one girl.

Photos and narrative panels tell Ford’s life story

Ford investigated the assassination of President Kennedy

His dream to become the majority leader never materialized, although he served eight years as minority leader. In 1973, Nixon tapped Ford as vice president after Spiro Agnew resigned under pressure.

Ford served as House Minority Leader for eight years

Ford supported and defended Nixon until evidence tied Nixon to the Watergate coverup. What more could a vice president have done?

Nixon tried his best to hide incriminating tapes that revealed his knowledge of a burglary at Watergate. His efforts failed and on August 9, 1974, he resigned and Ford became president.

After proclaiming, “I am not a crook,” the FBI proved Nixon wrong.

Timelines, photos, and artifacts at the museum display Ford’s presidency.

Timeline of events during Ford’s tenure as president.

President Ford dealt with many issues, concerns, and problems plaguing the United States and the world. War, inflation, energy shortages, negotiations with the Soviet Union, and the Apollo-Soys joint-manned space flight are but a few of the issues that vied for the new president’s attention.

Photos, posters, and videos present text and images of major events.

Three major events in 1975 are of particular note.

The Vietnam War ends. In early March 1975, the US began evacuations of civilians from Tan Son Nhut Airport and continued until April 28, 1975, when the Vietnamese People’s Air Force attacked the Tan Son Nhut Air Base.

Then Operation Frequent Wind began evacuations from the US Embassy in Saigon. Helicopters shuttled personnel, Vietnamese, and third-country nationals to USS Midway and other ships until April 30.

On May 12, 1975, Cambodian gunboats seized the SS Mayaguez, an American merchant ship in international waters. On May 14, 1975, Ford ordered US forces to retake the ship. They recovered the vessel, saved thirty-nine crewmembers, and lost forty-one American lives. Historians study the operation to learn from mistakes made.

He endured two assassination attempts. Both carried out by women. Both occurred during September 1975 while Ford visited California.

Sara Jane Moore and Squeaky Fromme attempted assassinations of Ford

Ford was issued a kevlar-lined coat after the attempts on his life.

The Freedom Train rides again for bicentennial

After two and a half years as president, Ford turns over the presidency to Jimmy Carter.

And now, a little about Betty. Elizabeth “Betty” Anne Bloomer was born April 8, 1918. Raised in Grand Rapids, her love of dance took her to Vermont’s Bennington School of Dance where she met choreographer Martha Graham.

Betty later studied with Graham in NYC and performed at Carnegie Hall. In 1941, she went back to Grand Rapids, working at Herpolsheimer’s and helping children with disabilities. Married to and then divorced from William Warren, she met Gerald Ford in 1947.

She and Ford married on October 15, 1943. She wasn’t shy about her drug and alcohol abuse and recovery or her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. People attribute her courage to speak out while others retreated to the “Betty Ford Blip,” a 15% increase in women seeking mammograms.

And a few more artifacts.

The largest aircraft carrier in the world—the length of three and half football fields. Commissioned on July 22, 2017, and first deployed on October 4, 2022. Named for Ford to commemorate his service on the USS Monterey during WWII.

A section from the Berlin Wall. A gift from Frederik GH Meijer to the museum on its tenth anniversary. Dedicated by President Ford on September 6, 1991.

After our visit, we selected Roam by San Chez for a place to eat. We loved the atmosphere and great food.

Next up: We make a few stops on our way back to California

Safe Travels

2023 Fall Adventure Episode 13: Elkhart, Indiana, RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum

On February 6, 2025February 6, 2025 By LToddIn Indiana, Photography, RV Travel, States, Travel2 Comments

On October 14, 2023, we packed up and headed to Morris, Illinois, for a one-night stay before arriving in the “RV Capital of the World,” Elkhart, Indiana. My skepticism about staying at a truck stop soon dissipated once we backed into our site. The extra room to put out the slide and stairs left plenty of space between our neighbors and us. We’ll consider Love’s RV Hookup during future travels, especially for one-night stays.

I goofed at the end of last week’s post when I mentioned a Grand Design Factory tour. I forgot they did not permit posting tour photos because they might reveal trade secrets. Fortunately, two days after our tour, we visited the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum, where they had a miniature display of the factory process. The photos in this post show the RV manufacturing process and take a peek at the collection of museum’s historical trailers and motorhomes.

Here are the sixteen (16) steps of the RV manufacturing process:

Steps 1 and 2: Start with a frame and install holding tanks

Steps 3 and 4: Install carpet and lino, then cabinets

Steps 5 and 6: Install exterior walls and roof

Steps 7, 8, and 9: Run electrical wiring, cover with roof decking, and install roof rubber

Steps 10 and 11: Install windows and slideouts (roof omitted to show interior)

Steps 12 & 13: Install doors and drawers, then appliances

Steps 14, 15, and 16: In goes the furniture, final finish, and quality inspection

I saw nothing that was proprietary in this photo, so thought I’d include it. This is the inspection area of the factory. The inspectors go through the entire unit and tag anything that needs fixed before it leaves the area.

I always enjoy factory tours and Grand Design’s was one of the best. We glimpsed behind the curtain to see how they made our 5th wheel from the ground up.

And here’s a sampling of the units included in the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum:

The Covered Wagon, or Gypsy Wagon, was the origin of both the RV and MH industries.

The inside reminds me of today’s class B vans

The oldest travel trailer in the world? It’s a 1913 “Earl” custom made for Cal Tech professor by an LA carriage maker.

The dining table seats four and converts into a double bed.

It’s been a roller coaster ride for the RV industry these past few years. Low demand for new RVs, increase in interest rates, and recession fears predicted a downturn in the industry going into 2019. When the pandemic hit in 2020, scores of individuals and families clamored to purchase an RV and find freedom on the road.

In the early 1980s, we started out in a trailer like this. Ours was a 1957 Kenskill

Jon and I slept in the bottom bunk, our daughter slept in the top bunk, and we swapped out the dining table for our son’s pack-and-play

Restored and airbrushed “On Cabin Time” a 1967 Fan Camper once featured in Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine

In the section for RV vendors to display their products, we found this outfitted motorhome.

The motorhome is furnished with many of the products sold by Furrion by Lippert

After a peak of 600,240 delivered units in 2021, the industry dipped in 2023 with 313,174 units, according to RV Industry Association. Indiana Business Review expects 350,000 units shipped in its 2025 forecast. Of course, many factors may upset that forecast, mainly interest rates, tariff threats, and unforeseen events and policies. It makes me wonder why people forecast anything.

Clark Cortez motorhome made by Clark Forklift

Indiana holds the largest concentration of shipped units at 84%, with 67% shipped from Elkhart. So, in whatever direction the economy and RV industry winds blow, so goes the economy and job opportunities in Elkhart. On the Grand Design tour, we learned that many of the workers at the factory are Amish. Perhaps they are better prepared than us city dwellers to wait out a downturn in the economy.

If an RV factory tour doesn’t suit your fancy, there’s plenty more to see and do in Elkhart and the surrounding towns. To mention a few, visitors can take a buggy tour, shop downtown, or browse through the Shipshewana Trading Place.

Amish parking. Who cleans up the horse droppings?

Visitors can also tour the Menno-Hof Museum, Ruthmere Museum Campus, or Wellfield Botanic Garden. And don’t forget the restaurants. We picked Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery for dinner one night.

Want a place to stay for a night or two? The RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum is a Harvest Host with plenty of room for self-contained RV parking. Hookups not available.

Next Up: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Safe Travels

2023 Fall Adventure Episode 12: Campground Animal Life & Amana Colonies in Amana, Iowa

On January 30, 2025January 29, 2025 By LToddIn Iowa, States, Travel2 Comments

Geese and Ducks on a Pond

By Friday, October 13, 2023, I had become accustomed to the serenade of the geese and ducks waddling on land and swimming in the pond. The fawn and white runner ducks walked around the pond like penguins. Muscovy ducks, with their black splotches on white fat bodies, joined the runners to poke in the grass around our trailer and along the pond’s edge.

While the ducks ate their meal, a group of geese lined up on one side of the pond. Soldiers prepared for an attack. Across the pond, another gaggle of geese lined up. The aggressors. The armies paddled toward each other while quacking out their grievances. They paddled closer, and closer, and closer. Before the battle ensued, the attack group spread out across the waters as if to say, “Just kidding,” and the defenders did likewise. War averted. It’s too bad humans haven’t figured a similar way to resolve their differences.

We’ve picked this place clean. Let’s go.

I knew I’d miss those waterfowl when we moved the next day, the same way I still miss the prancing and whistling of the great-tailed grackles we saw in Texas.

Amana Colonies

We braved another rainy day to visit the seven villages within the Amana Colonies about 20 miles north of our campground. This National Historic Landmark attracts thousands of visitors annually. I understood why when I saw each month’s calendar packed with activities, festivals, and celebrations. Any time of year is a good time of year to visit Amana.

As first-time visitors, we started our tour of the downtown area at the visitor’s center. The lady who helped us pulled out a map and marked the best places to see. The bakery, chocolate factory, antique store, and meat shop landed on our must-see list and we headed out.

Margie Jane’s sells eclectic art, gifts, and snacks

A Bit of History Gleaned from Their Website and Visitor Guide

Amana Colonies history began in 1855 when Christian Metz led his growing community of Ebenezer Society members (religious inspirationists) to the Iowa River valley. They established six villages a mile or two apart across 26,000 acres, which grew to seven. Previously, they lived in Buffalo, New York, where they had occupied only 5,000 acres after immigrating from Germany. The group had left Germany to seek religious freedom and economic opportunities.

Under the community’s communal constitution, the members shared their property and resources. No one needed to earn a wage because the commune provided housing, medical care, meals, household necessities, and schooling to all residents.

The residents engaged in farming, the production of wool and calico, and the crafting of other products to sell. They also supplied the residents with whatever they needed. Villagers operated the smokehouse, bakery, ice house, dairy, orchards, and vineyards. In addition, they supplied the 50-plus communal kitchens. The kitchens, where the women worked, created three meals and two snacks a day.

Preparing caramel-covered pecans to dip into chocolate for the bear claws

Children in the village attended school year round, six days a week until age 14. I wondered if this strenuous school calendar was a means to keep the women working on their tasks. Boys worked on the farm or in the craft shops. Girls worked in the communal kitchen or garden. Only a few boys earned college degrees as teachers, doctors, or dentists.

Amana Colonies Popcorn & Ice Cream Company

Life was not all work and education. At the center of each village stood an unadorned church where the inspirationists could incorporate quiet worship within their day. The churches offered 11 services a week.

Jon rushes to the Meat Shop and Smokehouse

We ate dinner at The Ox Yoke Inn, an American-German restaurant. The honey pork loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and cranberry-apple sauce were delicious.

The Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression brought about change to the Amana Colonies in 1932. To maintain their community, the residents established a profit-sharing corporation, the Amana Society, Inc. This corporation manages the farmland, the mills, and larger enterprises. And for the first time in 77 years, the community encouraged individuals to engage in private enterprises.

One interesting fact about Amana Colonies is its connection to Amana appliances. George C. Foerstner started a company in 1933 to manufacture beverage coolers after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Two years later, he sold to the Amana Society. The company grew, expanded, and sold again to Raytheon Corporation in January 1965. Other sales occurred in 1997 and 2001 and Whirlpool gained control in 2006. Since 2020, a Chicago-based limited liability company owns the Middle Amana Plant and assembles refrigeration products under the Amana, JennAir, KitchenAid, Maytag, and Whirlpool brands.

We had little time left to explore the other villages, so only drove, without stopping, through two more. With so much to see and do, Amana Colonies turned out to be another place I’d like to spend more time exploring. And its proximity to Cedar Rapids will make it convenient to return to both places.

To learn more about visiting Amana Colonies, visit their website at Amana Colonies. And to see the products and services available through Amana Society, Inc., visit their website at Amana Society Inc.

Next Up: Tour of the Grand Design RV Factory and the RV Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart, Indiana

Safe Travels

2023 Fall Adventure Episode 11: National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

On January 24, 2025January 23, 2025 By LToddIn Iowa, Travel4 Comments

When we learned the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was only a 30-minute drive away, we had to visit. Jon’s maternal grandparents were immigrants from Eastern Europe, and we couldn’t pass up a chance to learn more about their history. We refused to let the cloudy skies and rain dampen our drive to Cedar Rapids on October 23, 2023.

Like many museums, the Czech Fine Arts Foundation began small in 1974 with a few volunteers. They gathered artifacts, shared them at local events, and gave talks in the community. In 1978, a three-room house provided space to display their collections and attract more volunteers.

In 1984, the organization expanded by hiring their first employees, securing more funding, and continuing to add to their collections. They also changed the name to National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library.

Over the years, ongoing growth demanded larger spaces until 1993 when the organization broke ground for a new 16,000 square foot building. October 21, 1995, was a big day for the organization. That day, presidents Bill Clinton of the United States, Vaclav Hável of the Czech Republic, and Michal Kovác of the Slovak Republic presided over the new building’s dedication.

The struggle for freedom and democracy over the decades

All the important events laid out in a line helped me understand what impact the changing regimes had on the population.

The exhibit “A Thousand Years of Czech Culture: Riches from the National Museum in Prague,” attracted 30,000 visitors in 1997. The library’s collection doubled with the addition of Benedictine University’s Slavic materials in 2000. A major renovation and remodel of the building also began that year.

From 1870 through 1924, many Slovak and Czech citizens sailed to America for the opportunity to start new lives and find employment and education.

Jon’s grandfather came to the US in 1912 at age 15 and his grandmother came in 1902 at age 5.

Not much room for families to make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean

Eight years later, a flood caused $11 million damages to the building and to some of the collection pieces. Restoration efforts continued for three years and in 2011, Expert House Movers relocated the building with much fanfare. The museum reopened to the public in 2012 and became a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2018.

No typewriter? What was an author to do?

People of faith could not practice their religion

You go your way, we’ll do things our way, and we’ll all remain friendly neighbors

The building now stands 480 feet from its original site and 11 feet higher in elevation, which is 3 feet higher than the height of the flood. Interested in watching a short video of the move? You can find it on YouTube as of this post’s publish date, at this link: National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) Move – June 8th 2011

Kolache comes in sweet and savory varieties. Jon’s grandmother and mother made the nut rolls in the top right-hand corner of the photo and the cookies at the top left for Christmas. We’ve also made the cookies. One of these days we need to attempt the nut rolls. They were delicious.

The colorful Kroje-Dress for the Dance of Life exhibit was my favorite. The costumes displayed are from different regions.

This is but a thumbnail sketch on the historical timeline of the organization and there is so much more to see at the museum than what we’ve presented here. For more detail, visit the museum’s website: https://ncsml.org/. A virtual tour is also available there.

Linda tried on a Kroje. Jon rolled his eyes.

Seeing the museum in person, though, would be so much more educational and enjoyable. Studying the history of these countries shed light on current problems that exist in countries around the world today. May they all experience peace someday.

If it hadn’t been raining, we would have liked to walk around downtown Cedar Rapids after touring the museum. We settled for a bowl of soup at the Hangry Lady.

Great place for a warm cup of soup on a rainy day.

Walking to and from the car, we spotted a few unusual sights. Looking for a place to stay in downtown Cedar Rapids? How about this quaint little cottage?

Or, maybe this historic firehouse?

The Raygun store offers an array of clothing, household goods, and art. Looking for an item with a unique saying printed on it? They have plenty of those.

We enjoyed our visit to the Czech and Slovak Museum and Library and would have loved to spend more time in town. Perhaps we will make our way back someday. If we do, the Brucemore Estate, Czech Village and New Bohemia District, Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar River Trail, and the Palisades-Kepler State Park are on my must see list.

Up Next: Another rainy day in the Amana Colonies

Safe Travels

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