We've crossed our earlier trail!

Hi all,  For the first time in our trip, we have crossed the route we took east and have stopped again in St. Cloud, Minn. so I can have another visit with my dear friend Val!  We had a lovely visit Thursday evening and most of Friday.  Sadly we separate again, but will make more effort to see each other again in the future.

So to go back a few days, we stopped in Forest City, Iowa, to see Winnebago Industries.  This is where our motorhome, and many, many more are made.  Their operations cover 600 acres of land.  They will take you on a tour of the facility for free, so that is why we came here.  Very interesting tour.  They have one building called Big Bertha that is 8 acres under one roof.  It is a string of assembly lines.  The interesting thing is that they are not just making one product at a time.  The assembly line has one class C followed by a large Class A, followed by a van type (Via or Era), rarely two similar units in a row.  Yet all the different parts somehow seem to arrive at the right time for each unit.

The best building for me was the one where they made all the upholstery, bedding, curtains etc.  Boy, did they have some great machines for cutting, and sewing all those things.  I especially liked the zipper machine.  Anyone can sew on a zipper in 5 seconds with that thing.  Wow.

 They make everything that goes into the motor home from scratch, except for appliances right there. 
The company was founded in the 60's in a town of 2500 people, with a few forward thinking individuals that were worried about the families in the town because there were no jobs for there growing children, so they were all leaving. They got together and decided to build a factory.  At first they were partners with a company in California that made motor homes, then they went out on their own.  The company now has 2500 or so employees in a town of 5000 people!

 

They let you camp for free in the visitors centre parking lot, and supply power and internet.  Not beautiful surroundings, but handy to get the morning tour without having to drive.

 

We are heading north now, and will be heading back to Canada soon.  May not have internet for a couple of days, if I do, I will keep you updated.

 

By for now.