Day 1: We are on our way to experience fall colors and new things in Ohio Amish Country. Today we travel through Kansas and Missouri to Collinsville, IL, for the night.

2: This morning we continue through Illinois with a break stop in Casey where we find "big things in a small town." The town features the world's largest wind chime, mailbox, knitting needles and wooden shoes as well as several other uniquely large items. In the afternoon we stop in Knightstown, IN, to visit the Hoosier Gym. The gym maintains the charm it had when it was new in 1921. Made famous as the home of the Hickory High School basketball team in the 1985 movie "Hoosiers", the gym has been preserved as it was when it was new. Night in Springfield, OH.

3: By noon today we are in the beautiful rolling hills of Amish country in northeast Ohio. Our visit today begins at "Behalt" where we experience the history of the Amish people. Next we stop at a small candle shop and watch as the workers carve candles into special shapes. This evening we tour the Warther Museum in Dover. The museum houses the works of master carver Ernest Warther. His collection includes many intricate carvings of railroad cars and steam engines. Following our tour we sit among his carvings to eat a wonderful dinner. Next two nights in Berlin.

4: The serene rolling hills form the back drop for our vist today in Amish Country. Our first stop is at Troyers Sweet Shop where we have a chance to satisfy our sweet tooth, watch candy making and make our own buckeyes, an Ohio favorite. Today is livestock auction and flea market day so there will be lots of buggies and people milling about town. Next we visit Lehman’s Hardware, where the locals shop. In the afternoon we visit P. Graham Dunn. This shop and factory features many inspirational items, many made of wood and produced on site. Near our hotel is an indoor craft and antique mall, leather and western general store and a Christmas store. Free time in the late afternoon allows for resting or shopping. Dinner this evening is on an Amish farm with a family style feast. Later we return to town for a show at the Amish Country Theater attached to our hotel.

5: This morning we visit a cheese shop and a bakery and farmers market before going to a broom maker to watch as she makes quality straw brooms by hand. This afternoon we depart Amish country and travel southwest to Florence, KY, for the night.

6: Traveling west through Indiana brings us to French Lick. Here we tour the West Baden Springs Hotel. Built in 1902 and on the National Register of historic places the hotel originally had 708 rooms. Our tour guide relates the hotel’s origins, architecture, its decline and rejuvenation. Also recounted are stories of the many famous patrons who visited the hotel. Lunch is included before we travel to St. Peters, MO, for the night.

7: As we travel home today we reflect on the beauty of autumn and the many interesting experiences we have had along the way.