Howdy folks! Guder daag — "good day" in Pennsylvania Dutch. My wife and I pointed the Tramper toward Holmes County, Ohio, the heart of Amish country, with two missions: cook a delicious Amish-inspired meal in the truck, and ride a horse and buggy. One we were sure we could pull off. The other? Less certain.
Setting Up Near Berlin
It was (of course) another windy day — though with my roof solar panels temporarily MIA, at least I wasn't worried about anything blowing off the rack. The nearest state parks were a 45-minute drive out, so we tried our luck at the Berlin RV Park just outside Berlin, Ohio. The owner welcomed us, pointed us toward Herberger's Farm down the road for the full Amish experience, and we were genuinely impressed by how clean and well cared for the campground was.
Mission Two Hits a Snag (It Was Good Friday)
We drove straight to Herberger's Farm — and found an empty lot and a chain across the entrance. Then it hit me: it was Good Friday, and in one of the most religious corners of Ohio, everything shuts down for services. A little defeated, we wandered Berlin's eclectic shops, posed with a few roadside giants, left a voicemail for a buggy outfit that never called back, and grabbed a pizza picnic in the cab. We even detoured to Sugar Creek to see the world's largest cuckoo clock — built in 1963, once featured on the cover of the Guinness Book of World Records.
Mission One: An Amish Feast
Back at camp we made good on at least one goal: Amish pot pie and sweet potato casserole, cooked right in the camper. We ate like an Amish king and queen that night, did the dishes, and fell asleep to the pitter-patter of rain on the cap. You really don't need a full RV galley to eat well on the road.
The Buggy Ride, At Last
The next morning we gave Herberger's one more try — and not only was it open, it was packed. Tickets in hand, we met our driver and Duke, a five-year-old Belgian, and finally rolled around the farm by buggy. On the way out we grabbed some homemade fry pies that were, frankly, delicious. Two missions, both accomplished, in a place where time just seems to slow down.
Gear From This Trip
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Rumpl Camping Blanket
Packable warmth for cool Ohio evenings outside the camper.
Wool Camp Blanket
When you need a little extra warmth, wool earns its place.
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Made for hearty, from-scratch camp cooking like an Amish-inspired meal.
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