Little House Trip Part 2

Hello, everyone!  I'm back with yet another great adventure, this time just a quick jaunt southwest of my home.  This is "Part 2" of my Little House trip, continued from July of this year.  My mom, my friend Allison, and my grandma were able to join me and we had a fantastic time.  Hope you enjoy reading about my quick trip!

Friday, September 19, 2014 -- After an incredibly busy day, we headed west on I-44 for my aunt and uncle's lovely home and farm near Seymour.  On the way, we stopped for supper at a Dairy Queen (grilled chicken sandwich, fudge-cookie dough shake) before arriving around 9 p.m.  It's always nice to see them and we visited for awhile, showered, and got all ready for bedtime around midnight.

Saturday, September 20, 2014 -- Before we knew it, it was 6:20 and time to get up for the start to an excellent day.  After a blueberry muffin (yum) and orange juice, we headed for Mansfield's Community Center.  We all ran in the Wilder 5K that morning!  It was just perfect in every way -- a beautiful setting, lovely weather (light fog, mid-60s), and not too many people.  We started by running right through the cemetery, where Laura, Almanzo, and Rose are buried.  That was really a special way to start the day...especially since I set a personal best time of 23 minutes and 51 seconds.  I was second in my age group and third in overall female.  It was a great course and I loved every second of it (really!).  Afterwards, we all had water and bananas and waited around for the awards ceremony (they only gave out first-place medals so none of us got anything) and door prizes (we did all get something then).  Next up on the agenda was the Mansfield Cemetery, the final resting place of the heart and soul of my trips, books, project, everything -- Laura Ingalls Wilder, her husband Almanzo, and her daughter Rose.  It's a beautiful little area with some bushes, pretty granite headstones, and just an overall fitting tribute to such simple yet amazing people.  After the cemetery, we headed for the Laura's Memories pageant, put on by the Ozark Mountain Players.  If you ever have the opportunity, I strongly recommend you attend!  They use such a large number of actors and actresses, all from the community, and of such different personalities and ages.  It was so professionally done, too, with everything from the props to costumes to live music.  The play (about 1 hour, 45 minutes) takes viewers through Laura's entire life, from her early childhood in Pepin to her final home in Mansfield.  Complete with lots of singing and live instruments, it's a can't-miss opportunity.  Please support them if you can -- tickets are cheap and the money goes toward their scholarship fund, given to deserving Mansfield high school students.  After the pageant, we headed for Rocky Ridge Farm (Laura and Almanzo's historic home site) to hear Pa's fiddle -- the real one -- be played.  It still sounds amazing for being 160+ years old and it's the only time of the year they play it, so that was a special experience.  Afterwards, we had lunch (beef brisket sandwiches and water), then headed through the museum on site.  It houses many pictures of, information about, and artifacts made or used by Caroline (Ma), Mary, Carrie, Grace, Laura, Almanzo, Rose, and other relatives.  It's a relatively compact space with more information than you'd think.  There's quite a nice sampling of not just Laura's life, but her relatives, too.  We then toured the old white farmhouse built by Almanzo.  As I walked through the rooms, I imagined Laura carrying out her everyday duties in the exact same spots 75 years ago.  Living history -- my favorite!  Another thing that is just open on this one day of the year is the upstairs of the home.  We were allowed to walk up the staircase into the hallway and look into the guest bedroom.  We also saw Rose's door but it was closed so we couldn't see her bedroom.  Still, it was a chance not often gotten and I'm grateful for what we could do.  We also saw the Rock House, which Rose had built for Laura and Almanzo and they lived in for awhile (but they didn't like it much so they moved back).  It is much smaller but still adorable...and quite elegant, almost castle-like, with the stone on all sides.  Finally, we went in the gift store and when we came out, William Anderson (a Laura enthusiast and author of many Laura-related books) and Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder on the TV show) were outside, so we got their autographs.  Yet another memory to an already memorable day!  We stopped for a cool ice cream treat on the way back to my grandma's farm and home in Ozark, then on back for supper (pizza, watermelon, grapes, water, cherry pie), showers, and bed at 10:15.

Sunday, September 21, 2014 -- We slept in until 8 a.m. -- it felt great -- and had breakfast (cereal, coffee cake, milk) before heading for Independence, Kansas.  It's a pretty drive through some slight rolling hills full of horses and cattle.  We arrived at the Little House on the Prairie site just as they were opening, had a picnic lunch (sandwich, pretzels, apple slice, juice), and began our self-guided tour.  The layout includes the historic one-room Sunny Side School (used from 1871 to 1948), the Wayside Post Office, a replica of the Little House on the Prairie cabin (so tiny!), the site of Pa's hand-dug well, a gift store housed inside an old farmhouse, and the farmyard (home to burros, a donkey, and a horse).  It's an excellent spot for all ages, tucked away on a quiet county road, but well worth visiting.  Having driven over to Independence, we made a day of it by also visiting Mt. Hope Cemetery and the Ralph Mitchell Zoo.  Mt. Hope Cemetery is 86 acres (yeah...quite large) and the final resting place for Dr. George A. Tann, who cared for the Ingalls family when they contracted fever n ague (malaria).  His grave site is decorated with flags and has a nice little sign recognizing him.  The Ralph Mitchell Zoo is free and part of Riverside Park (as well as the cemetery).  It's home to all the typical zoo animals -- monkeys, lots of birds, a bear, a cougar, elk, bison, raccoon, llamas, camels, and many more.  It spans a huge swath of land and is great for walking and enjoying the scenery and animals.  Who would have guessed there's a large, professional-type, free zoo in Independence, Kansas?  Following our day in Independence, we headed back toward Ozark, stopping in Joplin for supper at Steak n Shake (patty melt, fries, apple-caramel shake, water).  Once back, we had showers and were in bed at 10:35.

Monday, September 22, 2014 -- This morning, we woke up at 6:40, had breakfast (cereal and milk), and drove back home to drop my friend Allison off at her school, then begin unpacking and getting back to "everyday life".  Yes, the Little House trips are over.  Yes, I'm sad.  But it has been an incredible, life-changing, incomparable part of my life and schooling.  I'm forever indebted and grateful to my mom, who supported (and encouraged) my love of Laura, which developed into the study and trips.  Thanks so much for being patient, understanding, and eager to share adventures with me.  Thanks to my brother Matthew for sharing expert navigational skills and enjoying the (part 1) trip along with us (and to my godmother Val, too).  Thanks to my uncle and aunt who graciously opened their home for the first night of our part 2 trip, my grandma for the other two nights on part 2, and my friend Allison and Grandma for joining my mom and me as we finished the sites tour.  It's a huge accomplishment and I'm so blessed to have been able to do it.  Most importantly (this shouldn't be way down here), I point to Jesus for protecting us on the hundreds of miles we covered, keeping us safe as we toured each site, and for blessing us with the ability to take off and do this.  He's the most important part of each trip I take...and furthermore, each day I wake up and each night I go to sleep.  In other words, He is the biggest part of everything I do, and I hope He is the same for you.  May God bless you in your endeavors and trips and everyday life, and thanks for "joining" me for part 2.  Until next time...
~Anna

The grave site of Laura, Almanzo, and Rose at the Mansfield Cemetery

Pa's fiddle ready to be played at Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield

Rocky Ridge Farmhouse in Mansfield

Rock House in Mansfield

Little House on the Prairie cabin replica in Independence

Burros at the Little House on the Prairie site in Independence

Dr. George Tann's grave site at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence

Ducks and a swan at the Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence

Little House Trip Day #7 -- Final Day

[Due to Internet and time problems, I was unable to publish the final blog posts.  I apologize.  This was Tuesday's post.  This is the final Little House trip blog post.]

Awake at 7:30 and enjoyed a delicious, perfect, farm-fresh breakfast -- pancake men (like Ma made in Little House in the Big Woods), sausage, eggs and hash browns, watermelon, and milk.  It was all so tasty!  Then the bed-and-breakfast owner showed us the other sleeping place (the guest barn) and their big barn, which they hope to use for wedding and other similar venues.  She is such a nice, considerate, polite, and hospitable lady and we felt very welcome.  I loved the farm setting and the animals -- cows, kittens and cats, and their friendly dog Rover.

Although we enjoyed that morning, it did delay us from leaving for awhile, but it worked out fine.  We jigged and jogged through the Iowa countryside on lots of roads (ask my brother...he navigated, I drove) and eventually were on Highway 61 and heading back to our lovely home in Missouri.  We had a gas/bathroom/lunch stop in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.  It was very quick; we ate on the road -- a salad, cheese stick, zucchini bread, water.  Making good time, we finally pulled into our driveway just before 5:00 p.m.  Back to work -- regular life, unpacking, laundry, organization of items we collected, and eventually real work, like school.

You know that bittersweet feeling?  It's the feeling of being sad that the trip is over (who wants to go back to work?), happy with all the memories, and happy to be back on home soil.  It's hard to explain.  I'm so glad I got to experience Laura Ingalls Wilder's home sites.  I learned so much, met so many people, and gained invaluable experiences and memories that I will forever cherish.  I shared all of these with my mom, my brother Matthew, and my godmother Val.  They're special people and I am just amazed at the blessings in my life.  I am blessed beyond knowledge.  I can't thank Jesus, my family, and all of my great blog readers enough -- thank you for your support, words, thoughts, and prayers!  I'm so glad to have been able to share this special journey with you and I hope you enjoyed reading.  Until next time, God bless!

~Anna

Little House Trip Day #6

[Due to Internet and time problems, I was unable to publish the final blog posts.  I apologize.  This was Monday's post.]

Woke up at 7:45 and my mom and I went out for a lovely cool morning walk throughout Pepin.  Came back, had breakfast (banana oatmeal, blueberry muffin, orange juice, cocoa), and drove to the Little House Wayside.  This is a three-acre piece of land originally owned by Charles Ingalls.  There is a replica log cabin on the property.  Although it isn't exactly where the real Little House in the Big Woods sat or where Laura was born, it's pretty close, so we enjoyed being in Laura's territory.  The cabin was actually quite large and had some wall-mounted displays about Laura's time in Pepin.

Then we drove to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Pepin.  Housed in two adjoining buildings, this nice little museum has information and artifacts about Laura, the Quiner and Ingalls families, Pepin's history, and pioneer-related items.  There was a replica front of a steamboat, which was quite fun to crawl up in (duck or you'll hit your head), and a dress worn by Anna Barry.  She was quite a small woman!  We enjoyed lunch (tuna-cheese wrap, cracker, clementine, zucchini bread, juice) in Laura's namesake park.  Then we headed on down to Burr Oak, Iowa...another spot on the map not written about in Laura's books.  The Ingalls family lived here from 1876-1877 and Charles managed the Masters Hotel, which has been restored and is the only place they lived in which is still in its original location.  While Charles ran it, Caroline and the girls did the cooking and cleaning.  It was an unpleasant, crude, rowdy, and downright dangerous experience, but nevertheless part of Laura's childhood.  Tours are given of the Masters Hotel and you can see each room and hear stories of events which occurred there.  To have the full Laura experience, we also went to the Burr Oak Cemetery, where Laura and her friend Alice often played.

We drove down to Decorah, Iowa, to have supper at Don Jose Mexican Restaurant.  The Burrito Mexicano was very tasty and filling.  Then a little bit more driving to the southeast (near Postville) before arriving at the best lodging spot of the trip, the Little House on the Farm.  It's an adorable little spot in a very peaceful, serene country setting.  There were red gingham curtains in the windows, a "pump" sink, a loft, and so much more.  Everything is so cleverly and creatively planned, right down to the smallest detail.  We were in bed at 11:30.

The replica Little House in the Big Woods cabin in Pepin, Wisconsin

Masters Hotel in Burr Oak, Iowa

Burr Oak Cemetery

~Anna

Little House Trip Day #5

[Due to Internet and time problems, I was unable to publish the final blog posts.  I apologize.  This was Sunday's post.]

We slept in until 8:30 today and had breakfast (bagel with cream cheese, orange juice), then headed for Spring Valley, Minnesota.  This may be a site you hadn't heard of related to Laura.  She never wrote a book about it.  Her husband Almanzo's family (the Wilders) moved here from Malone, New York, in the 1870's.  Laura, Almanzo, and Rose lived with the Wilders in 1890, after the events portrayed in The First Four Years.  After a quick lunch at a park near the museum (chicken-bean-cheese wraps, cracker, clementine, trail mix, juice), we toured the Methodist Church Museum, the Washburn/Zittleman House, and the Agriculture Building.  The museum is housed in a beautiful church built from 1876-1878, featuring Italian stained glass windows believed to be about 300 years old.  There are a lot of artifacts from area churches and some portable display boards on Laura and the Wilders in Spring Valley.  The Washburn/Zittleman House is a home from about the time the Wilders lived in Spring Valley and is furnished appropriately.  It was donated by a Spring Valley doctor and his family.  The agriculture building houses a large quantity of farm implements, tools, and a Ford Model A.  It's quite an interesting museum with such an eclectic collection.  To round out Spring Valley activities, we went to the Spring Valley Cemetery (Royal Wilder and his two young daughters are buried there...Royal was Almanzo's brother) and took pictures from the road of the Wilder barn.  It is privately owned.

We headed for Pepin, Wisconsin, next -- Laura's birthplace!  Since it was fairly late in the afternoon, we just did a couple of non-admission activities.  We went to Oakwood Cemetery, final resting place of the Carpenter family (Martha Quiner Carpenter was Laura's aunt) and Anna Barry (Laura and Mary's first teacher).  We also went to Lake Pepin, the widest naturally-occurring part of the Mississippi River.  It is such a beautiful place, with cool breezes blowing, the waves lapping at the shore, and the sun gleaming off the water.  We waded in it and picked up pebbles, just like in Little House in the Big Woods.  But we weren't greedy like Laura -- we didn't take so many as to make our pockets rip!  Supper was at the Pickle Factory, a historic former pickle factory, where we had salads, fried cheese curds, Hawaiian pizza, water, and cheesecake drizzled with raspberry sauce.  My godmother Val and I trotted and cantered like horses out on a rock dike into Lake Pepin.  Before galloping back in, we stood and gazed at the sky ablaze with gorgeous sunset colors.  It doesn't matter how many sunsets I've seen, they're all so beautiful.  I could never tire of them.

We stayed at the Pepin Motel (nice big rooms, clean, comfortable) and were in bed at 11:00 p.m.

Spring Valley (Minnesota) Methodist Church Museum

Wilder barn in Spring Valley, Minnesota

Oakwood Cemetery in Pepin, Wisconsin

Lake Pepin

~Anna   

Little House Trip Day #4

[Due to Internet and time problems, I was unable to publish the final blog posts.  I apologize.  This was Saturday's post.]

Today we woke up at 6:30, had breakfast (cereal, fruit, orange juice), loaded the car, and headed for Walnut Grove, Minnesota, at 7:45.  It was a pretty drive through prairies and slight hills.  Once in Walnut Grove, we took pictures of "Pa's bell" at the English Lutheran Church.  This is the original bell that Charles Ingalls ("Pa") donated his last dollars to instead of getting new boots for his walk to find work after the grasshoppers destroyed their crop.  Read On the Banks of Plum Creek for more; it was pretty amazing to see that exact bell all these years later!

The reason I planned my Little House trip for July was because the pageant season was happening and the Little House on the Prairie TV show cast reunion was occurring (just this weekend!).  The reunion involved autograph sessions throughout the day and the actual reunion in the evening, before the pageant, so I really wanted to do this...and we did!  There were three different tents set up for the autograph sessions (three per day) and a total of 11 stars were set up throughout the tents.  With only three tents, that means long lines...really long lines.  To add to the fun, we picked the slowest-moving line to stand in first...in pouring, soaking, cold rain...for two-and-a-half hours.  In case you're wondering, yes, we did stick it out and made it up to get the desired autographs.  Fortunately, the rain cleared out and sunshine broke through so we could go stand in the second line (shorter and much faster moving).  Our "lunch", eaten in the second line, consisted of Pop Tarts, crackers, and juice.  And to entertain us while standing in the second line?  We were standing in the Walnut Grove park, which was home to Family Days, a huge event with many vendors.  So we could watch demonstrations and listen to music, and Victor French's (Isaiah Edwards on the show) kids were presenting a program on his life and career while we were waiting, too.  The second line was bearable, definitely!  After that success, we headed into the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, a mix-match of buildings housing Walnut Grove-area artifacts, items related to the real Laura, and TV show memorabilia.  Once we came out of the final building, we noticed the third tent for the final autograph session.  I wasn't necessarily planning on getting the final three autographs, but it really worked out perfectly.  That line, although the shortest, did take awhile to move and we were in the hot sunshine.  But it was worth it to get all 11 autographs...and the final three stars signing there were super nice; they actually wanted us to take pictures and talk with them awhile!  Once we had our papers signed, my mom and I raced into the store to get our bonnet/apron sets.  Then we headed out of town to the dugout site, which is just a big dent in the ground now -- the real dugout was washed away by a flood years ago.  We read the sign, my mom and I ran around a big field on a walking path (I also ran down a hill of wildflowers, reminiscent of the show's opening credits), and we waded in Plum Creek, just like Laura.  We then ran back to our car and hurried to the pageant grounds, the site of the TV show reunion (and the pageant, after the reunion).  At 7:30, the 11 stars filed onto the stage area and began their reminiscing.  The stars present were Radames Pera (John Sanderson Edwards, Jr.), Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder), Sidney and Lindsey Greenbush (Carrie Ingalls), Hersha Parady (Alice Garvey), Charlotte Stewart (Miss Eva Beadle), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder), Wendi and Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls), and Dan McBride (Henry Riley).  They were all very gracious, kind, genuine, unique, interesting, and downright funny at times, evidenced by Alison Arngrim and Dan McBride replaying their humorous "Where's my coffee?" scene and Alison immediately making the "Nasty Nellie" face when asked by an audience member.  The question-and-answer time was handled very professionally, with each star answering their respective questions with humility, even when they were quite odd.  Overall, it was just incredible to see everyone together again after 40 years.  I will never forget this night.

After the reunion presentation (as if that wasn't enough!), the pageant, Fragments of a Dream, took place.  This two-hour-long play chronicles the Ingalls' Walnut Grove story and is so, so, so well done.  From the scene changes (the sets actually fold up and roll back behind curtains) to the live animals (I paid more attention to the horses than the dialogue sometimes, haha) to the professional-level acting (they're all locals, though), it was perfect.  There were good dancing scenes, singing, live fiddle music, amazing special effects, and great lighting.  Everyone works so hard to pull this thing off and I give them 10 out of 10 stars!  We bought our supper from the Walnut Grove Fire Department (hamburgers, Sun Chips, water) -- that's about all we could get at the pageant grounds -- and enjoyed an ice cream cookie sandwich for dessert in between the reunion and the pageant.  When the pageant ended, we raced back to our car to beat the traffic (there were bad reports from previous nights) and drove through the star-lit evening to the Guardian Inn in Windom, Minnesota.  Everyone hurried through showers and nightly routines to snuggle in bed at 1:35.  Yes, it was a very long and hectic day.  Yes, we got soaked, cold, hot, and generally uncomfortable.  But I wouldn't trade it for the world.  It may have been one of the busiest days of my life but overall, we succeeded in all we did and actually got more done than I imagined at the beginning of the day.  Couldn't have done it without God, most importantly, and my wonderful and understanding family.  Thanks!

Pa's bell at the English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove, Minnesota

Near the Ingalls dugout site

Wading in Plum Creek (L-R:  Me, my mom, my godmother Val)

~Anna

Little House Trip Day #3

This morning we slept in until 7:30, then enjoyed a nice breakfast of French toast, sausages, fruit salad, and juice.  We headed out to to the Wilder Homestead & Birthplace of Rose Wilder Lane.  It really is just a little marker off the side of the road.  You can look and see the hillside where their claim shanty was but it is now private land so you can't actually go up there.  If you drive on up South Dakota Highway 25, you'll also see the trees from their tree claim.  Again, it's a private residence, but you can still gaze upon it and imagine Laura and Almanzo there many years ago.

Next, we headed for the De Smet Cemetery.  This lovely, secluded, peaceful, well-kept place is the final resting place of Pa and Ma Ingalls, Carrie Ingalls, Grace Ingalls Dow and her husband Nate Dow, Laura and Almanzo's baby son, and many of the Ingalls' friends.

Next we headed for the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes Tour (in town).  This excellent guided tour (we spent at least two hours) starts in the visitor center, where you can see the "Laura's Legacy" display.  It features artifacts relating to each individual story and all of the books in numerous languages.  We got to see one of Laura's nightgowns, Carrie's summer dress and jewelry, a quilt made by Rose, and lots more.  Next, you head for the Surveyor's House, the actual home in By the Shores of Silver Lake.  It was moved to its current location in 1885.  You'll also see the first school of De Smet, built in 1880 and restored in 1999; a replica of the Brewer School, where Laura had her first teaching assignment (it's tiny); and the Ingalls home on Third Street, which Pa built and Pa and Ma died at.  All of the places feature accurate furnishings and accessories.  I liked the pump organ and fiddle in the home on Third Street -- you can actually try them!

We had some lunch (tuna-cheese wrap, trail mix, clementine, juice, water) and then checked out the Discovery Center, which features tons of hands-on kid-themed activities.  You can play school and kitchen, dress up, learn Braille, weave, try a sewing machine (the old kind, with a foot pedal), and lots more.  It's a nice opportunity for children to try out those things they just read about.

We finished with the De Smet Depot Museum & Harvey Dunn School, a free and cute little spot.  It is quite an eclectic mix of anything and everything, ranging from women's dresses to South Dakota animals (taxidermy) to a Model T.  It's all honoring the history of De Smet, housed in three separate buildings.  The Harvey Dunn School is a one-room schoolhouse attended by artist Harvey Dunn for nine years and features many of his famous paintings of the prairie and some lesser-known World War I drawings.  We even saw the original fire bell.

After that nice day, we headed for historic Loftus Store (it's in Laura's books) to look around and get a few things, then to supper at Wards Store & Bakery.  Very fast, friendly service; I enjoyed lasagna, green beans, garlic toast, pecan pie, and water, yummy!

To round out our second day in De Smet, we headed to "These Happy Golden Years Pageant".  The gates opened at 6 p.m. and there were free wagon rides (a real wagon today, pulled by Percherons or mules), photo opportunities, and a nice little newspaper/program to read.  At 8 p.m., the show started with introductions by state, then the pageant.  It's entirely put on by local people and so well done.  It was a very accurate representation of the book, too.  We really enjoyed our two days in De Smet.  If you ever come here, it's best to spend two days...there's so much great stuff to do!  We'll be in Walnut Grove (Minnesota) tomorrow, which is our longest and craziest day, so we'll see about blogging.  I'll be back for sure on Sunday night.

The site of Laura and Almanzo's claim shanty

(left to right) Carrie, Mary, Laura and Almanzo's baby boy, Ma, and Pa buried at De Smet Cemetery

Attempting to play the fiddle in the Ingalls House on Third Street

The Ingalls house on Third Street which Pa built

Inside the Harvey Dunn School

~Anna

Little House Trip Day #2

Today we woke up at 6:45, had breakfast (whole wheat toast with strawberry jam, cinnamon roll, apple juice), and headed about 50 miles west of Brookings to Manchester, South Dakota.  Manchester was the longtime home of Grace Ingalls Dow, Laura's youngest sister, and Harvey Dunn, a famous prairie artist.  Manchester had a terrible EF4 tornado in June 2003 which destroyed any remnants of the historically significant town, but through kind donations, there are several plaques and a little memorial.  Especially cool was the town pump and the "Manchester" sign, weathered and twisted from the tornado but still up.  Somehow, it signaled a great deal more than just the name of a now-ghost town.

Next, we headed about nine miles back east to DeSmet, where we enjoyed some dramatic viewing of the Big Slough and Silver Lake (both mentioned several times in Laura's books).  Large, rolling black clouds were coming in from the north but glimmers of the sun still were on the horizon, so the mixing colors were creating such incredible lighting...perfect for photos!  There was lightning and thunder and a little rain, but then it was mostly cloudy or clear for the rest of the day, with a very strong wind blowing and temperatures around 70 degrees.  We headed for the Ingalls Homestead Site, 160 acres of hands-on perfection.  Their three "rules"?  Children should touch, feel, and climb; pictures may be taken anywhere; and visit and explore at your own pace.  That was all I needed to feel welcome, haha!  Admission is $10 and quite a bargain for the many, many activities to do and things to see.  We started by watching a brief video about Laura and the homestead, then moved outdoors to experience each of nearly 20 different "exhibits" scattered on the property.  A quick rundown on each follows; it's the order which we did things in today.

Laura's Travels Exhibit -- Housed in a little white building, small nooks feature quotes from the respective books on Laura's life from Pepin to DeSmet.  Each book is in a small holder at each "station" for your reading pleasure.  There's also a magnet game to follow Laura's journey and a covered wagon to climb on.

Wagon Ride/Prairie School -- In a covered wagon (with rubber tires, not wooden wheels) pulled by horses or mules, enjoy a ride out to the prairie school.  Housed in Johnson School #20, a 125-year-old schoolhouse which was moved to its current location, you'll be engaged in an educational overview of schools and curriculum back in Laura's time.  Did you know they only attended school for three months of the year?  The rest of the year was spent working hard on their farms or claims.  There were even a few desks from the 1800s!

Livestock Barn -- Housing farm implements and tools, the wagon horses/mules, Shetland ponies and miniature horses (two babies...one was running and jumping; the other was a day old and mostly slept), a little stagecoach used in parades (yes, you can sit in it and on the driver's seat and hold real reins), and Indian lifestyles, this was one of my favorite spots!

Flindt's Garage -- Make hay twists (like Pa and Laura in The Long Winter), a corncob doll, and rope...you can even grind wheat in the coffee grinder.

Fields -- The amber waves of grain (really) and corn are small fields but they do represent pioneer lives.

Lunch -- Well, this wasn't an exhibit, but you know I have to comment on food!  We enjoyed chicken-bean-cheese wraps, crackers, peaches, zucchini bread, and juice.

Dugout & Burvee Shanty -- Which would you choose?  The replica dugout was smaller than you could ever imagine, but it was cozy.  The shanty, covered in tar paper on the outside and newspaper on the inside, was a bit bigger but didn't provide as much protection.  Fully furnished and outfitted, trust me, there's no extra space.

Hay Roof Barn & Water Pump -- In this replica of a typical barn of Laura's time, there was a Holstein calf named Bright, orphaned kittens (they're grown up some, but still small...I fell in love with a Siamese), and chickens and roosters.  At the water pump, try your hand at pumping.

Ma's Little House -- An accurate replica of the Ingalls' claim shanty, you can explore the inside (the bedrooms are so small!), then go check out the hand-washing outside.  Scrub your muslin sheet on the washboard, send it through the wringer, and hang it on the clothesline to dry.  No problem drying in today's wind!

Bethany Lutheran Church -- Nearly 110 years old, this was moved to its current location in 2009.  It's such a humble yet gorgeous chapel.  There's even a working pump organ and piano which you can try out.

Lookout Tower -- Typically, you should start your tour with this, but it was stormy when we got here so we waited until the afternoon.  It was worth it since it had cleared up.  It certainly gives you a bird's-eye view and puts things into perspective.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Site -- In the small northwestern corner of the claim, you'll find a monument to Laura and pinpointing the exact location of their shanty.  You'll also see the original five cottonwood trees Pa planted...yes, they are the real ones.  Such feelings to run down the hill where Laura really would have walked and run dozens of times.

We also checked out Thompson Lake, which Laura and Almanzo would have driven to while they were courting.  It's huge, like a mini ocean!  There were also very large waves (you could surf them, literally), due to the wind.  We had supper at the Oxbow Restaurant (I had the Farmer Boy Burger, with coleslaw and fries and water).  It was very, very slow even though there weren't very many people.  There was only one waitress.  I do not recommend it, but we eventually got our food and it was pretty good.  We're staying at the Heritage House Bed & Breakfast, a lovely brick building.  It was built in 1888 and was formerly a bank (and a couple of other things too).  Such a lovely place.

Manchester, South Dakota, sign -- damaged from 2003 tornado

Manchester monument

Near the Big Slough/Silver Lake area

Prairie school

Amber waves of waving grain

I made a Siamese kitten friend!

Bethany Lutheran Church

Original cottonwood trees planted by Pa Ingalls

Lake Thompson

~Anna    

Little House Trip Day #1

Hi, everyone!  I'm back and blogging from South Dakota, on day #1 of the exciting "Little House" trip.  I will hopefully be blogging every night from tonight (Wednesday) through Tuesday night.  Hope you enjoy reading!

We woke up at 5:45, had breakfast (granola and milk), did the final packing, I took care of my neighbor's horses, said goodbye to my dad, and headed out at 8:30.  I drove until our stop in St. Joseph to get gas and fix our lunch for the road.  On a side note, when we came up this way for our 2013 Big Sky ski trip, we stopped at the exact same gas station (even the same pump)!  We are creatures of habit.  Back on I-29, we had a yummy lunch (tuna-cheese wraps, crackers, peaches, leftover Girl Scout cookies, and water), then enjoyed the lovely farm countryside of Iowa.  I love this drive.  Our first planned "activity" of the trip was the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor & Museum in Le Mars, Iowa (also known as the "Ice Cream Capital of the World").  It's a great little off-the-interstate jaunt, with the second floor devoted to telling the history of the Blue Bunny ice cream (it started in 1913).  On the first floor, you'll find the gift store and the ice cream parlor.  We all enjoyed two tasty scoops.  I had huckleberry and banana split, both highly recommended by yours truly.

After that stop, we headed on non-stop to Brookings, South Dakota, arriving at 7:45.  After supper at Mixed (super organic, I had the cranberry-almond wrap, a breadstick, and a strawberry-banana smoothie...so healthy), we checked into the Super 8.  It's a nice, clean, big room.  I'm headed off for a shower and then bed; can't wait for tomorrow's activities and adventures!

Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor & Museum in Le Mars, Iowa

~Anna

Second Colorado Ski Trip -- March 29-April 2, 2014

Now that you've read about my first Colorado ski trip, you can enjoy the second, which I just got back from.  Happy reading!

Saturday, March 29, 2014 -- Woke up at 5:00 a.m., got ready, packed up the remaining things, loaded up, and headed out at 5:45.  We slept for about two-and-a-half hours while my dad drove.  It was a beautiful day with sunshine, good temperatures, deep blue skies, and the fields just greening up for spring.  Around 9:45, we stopped for gas and breakfast at Taco John's (egg-potato-sausage breakfast burrito, mini potatoes, orange juice) in Topeka, Kansas.  It was a bit of a longer stop (service was slow), so we didn't get on the interstate until 10:40.  We made it to Burlington, Colorado, for gas and a bathroom break, then I started driving and we had lunch on the road (sandwich, cheese cracker, clementine, water).  We went on to Limon, then exited I-70 and headed south through wide, open, empty, beautiful land.  I drove over two passes (good weather, thankfully), which was great experience for me.  As we zipped on through the increasing dusk, I just loved everything -- the cattle (babies!), evergreen forests, snow, amazing views, and a spectacular sunset.  The west is not my birth home, but I have adopted it as a temporary home.  It is a lovely, desolate place and I love it fully.  Only God could have created such an amazing region.  We pulled into our Rodeway Inn in Gunnison, Colorado, at 7:30.  We unloaded, headed for supper at Mario's Pizza & Pasta (we shared the Mario's Famous Salad with ranch dressing and the Mario's Supreme Combo pizza), came back to our hotel, showered, got ready for bed, and went to sleep at 10:55.
Weather:  Temperatures between 35 degrees and 40 degrees, perfect sunshine, great weather all around!

Sunday, March 30, 2014 -- Woke up at 7:00 a.m., got ready, had breakfast (bagel with cream cheese, sausages, orange juice), geared up, and headed for Crested Butte Mountain Resort at 8:15.  We got our tickets and were skiing by 9:20.  We enjoyed the usual blues, blacks, and a couple double blacks.  One of the double blacks was Rachel's, which we rode a t-bar up to and skied down.  It was pretty steep, moguls-filled, and had bowl-like qualities.  Lunch was at the Butte 66 restaurant; I had the Salmon Sammy (grilled salmon topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a dijon mustard blend on foccacia bread), beer-battered fries, hot chocolate with whipped cream on top, and water.  After lunch, at 1:00 p.m., we attended an on-mountain church service.  For about 20 minutes, we joined 20 others or so and sang songs, prayed, and listened to Bible verses and some reflections/thoughts.  It's always a really nice thing to attend these services -- the views are gorgeous, the service is short and simple yet very thought-provoking, and it's fantastic to join other like-minded Christian skiers/snowboarders.  Besides the service and a great morning, we also enjoyed a "racecourse".  It's marked on the trail map as a family run, meaning all ages can enjoy it, regardless of skill level or comfort zone.  For me, it was a chance to point my Lines straight, tuck into the racing stance, and cruise through the turns and burst over the little jumps.  It was so much fun!  And for our final run, it had a really steep, fairly long hill for the last part.  My dad and I tucked and zoomed straight down, pushing 50 m.p.h.  I've never gone so fast in my life.  It was great!  Skiing, for me, is all about having fun and cutting loose.  That's exactly what I was doing.  I was in control at all times and it was a terrific way to end the day.  Before heading back, Matthew and I got hatpins while my mom got new ski boots.  On our way back, we stopped for supper at Garlic Mike's Italian restaurant (I had a tasty salad topped with pine nuts, chicken Parmesan, squash and zucchini, pasta with marinara sauce, and water), then headed to the hotel.  We all showered, got ready for bed, and were sleeping by 10:00 p.m.
Weather:  Cloudy, temperatures between 20 degrees and 35 degrees, some sun in the afternoon.  The snow had a "fresh then baked" quality -- crusty at times, but mostly everything was groomed and good.

Monday, March 31, 2014 -- Woke up at 7:00 a.m., got ready, had breakfast (bagel with cream cheese, blueberry muffin, cocoa, orange juice), and headed for Crested Butte at 8:10.  We got gas on the way and arrived, geared up, and were skiing by 9:20.  It was another great day on the mountain.  They got about three or four inches of snow overnight, so we had wonderful fresh powder.  Early on in the day, my dad, Matthew, and I rode up a t-bar to ski The Headwall, a double black.  I love getting to these kind of runs -- traverse out on little catwalks, go around rocks, realize you can't make a mistake.  It's a great challenge.  For the rest of the morning, we skied blues and blacks, then had lunch at Avalanche Bar & Grill (chicken salad croissant, fresh fruit, water).  After lunch, we did The Headwall again and cruised through the racecourse a few more times.  Our last run was at 4:00 p.m.  We headed back down the mountain, with a stop for gas and pictures at Cranor Hill Ski Area.  It's Gunnison's "community hill", with maybe 400 vertical feet, a poma, and two runs.  It closed March 7 but there was still a lot of snow.  It's such a cute little spot.  Finally, we got to the hotel for showers, then out to supper at Las Palmas (enchiladas, lettuce, sour cream, rice, beans, virgin strawberry margarita), back to the hotel, and asleep at 9:30.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014 --  Today I woke up at 6:50, got ready, had breakfast (bagel with cream cheese, banana-nut muffin, orange juice, cocoa), loaded everything up, and checked out of our hotel around 8:00 a.m.  We headed for Monarch Mountain (Colorado), got our tickets, and were skiing by 9:15.  Monarch is another small ski area, with not as much vertical drop, fixed-grip doubles (there is one quad but they rarely run it), and a small base area.  It's a sweet little spot with charm and a relaxed setting.  Monarch is unique in that all their snow is natural, so we were treated to some fantastic white fluff.  We enjoyed skiing its runs and seeing what it had to offer.  We had lunch in the cafeteria (tomato bisque soup, cocoa), then headed back out for more skiing.  To get to some of Monarch's black runs, you had to sidestep or herringbone up a short yet very steep slope, mince around rocks, and zoom along on a little traverse before finding the desired trail.  It was such an adventure and so fun!  For our final run, we went on part of a blue run, a long and flat traverse, and then finally hiked up the last uphill part.  It was my first "hike-to" run, a black named Gunbarrel.  Monarch's first lift, a rope tow (from the 1930s), still had part of it at the top, so we took pictures of that and then cruised the run.  It was powdery, nicely steep, and moguls-filled.  It was a wonderful last run of the season.  When we got to the bottom, we got hatpins, went to the bathroom, loaded up, and headed for home around 4:00 p.m.  We drove through a really pretty canyon, with towering rock formations on both sides, the Arkansas River meandering its way through, and beauty everywhere.  We skirted south of Colorado Springs and hit Limon at 7:15.  We grabbed supper to go at Arby's in Limon (roast beef sandwich, potato cakes, lemonade) and headed east on I-70.  We arrived at a Quality Inn in Colby, Kansas, around 10:30 p.m.  After showers and getting ready, we were asleep at 11:20.
Weather:  Overcast in the morning, with snow coming later and getting heavier and heavier with frequent bouts of poor visibility and strong wind.  It cleared up after lunch a bit and snowed off and on throughout the rest of the day.  Sunshine tried to poke through a few times in the afternoon.  The temperature ranged between about 15 degrees and 20 degrees.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014 -- Woke up at 6:15, got ready, had breakfast (cereal, biscuit with blackberry jelly, strawberry yogurt, apple juice), loaded up, checked out, and headed for home at 7:15.  We drove non-stop to Kansas City, Kansas, where we got gas and went to the bathroom.  Back on the interstate, we had lunch (PB&J sandwich, cashews, clementine, water), then just watched the miles to St. Louis diminish.  We pulled into our driveway right at 3:30, unloaded, I got ready for ballet, went to ballet (4:45 to 6:15), came home, organized/unpacked, showered, had supper (whole wheat pasta with alfredo sauce, crescent rolls, pineapple-orange juice), got ready for bed, and went to sleep at 11:00 p.m.  This was another nice, if quick, trip to enjoy snow, skiing, sunshine, God's gorgeous creation, and being together.  This concludes our 2013-14 ski trip season.  Until next year...!
Weather:  It was 28 degrees in Colby in the morning, but warmed up to 50 degrees by the time we were home.  It was overcast and we had a strong headwind.  It started raining off and on as we got closer to St. Louis.  That's the midwest spring!

The Headwall at Crested Butte (March 31) -- we skied it

Beautiful views at Crested Butte (March 31)

Mt. Crested Butte (March 31) 

Cranor Hill Ski Area (March 31) -- it's so cute!

Monarch Mountain (April 1)

Monarch Mountain (April 1)

Gunbarrel at Monarch Mountain (April 1) -- we skied it!

A lovely drive going home -- the Arkansas River and lovely rock formations (April 1)

A gorgeous western sunset east of Colorado Springs (April 1)

~Anna~  

First Colorado Ski Trip -- January 11-15, 2014

Hey, everyone, I'm back with an overview of my first Colorado ski trip.  I went in January and again just a few days ago, so check back to see Colorado Ski Trip Part 2!  Anyway, this is Part 1...enjoy!

Saturday, January 11, 2014 -- I woke up at 4:40 a.m., got the final packing done, hopped in the car, and headed west (west is best!) at 5:30.  My dad was driving and the rest of us slept for a few hours.  We stopped at 9:00 a.m. for gas and a quick breakfast at McDonald's 30 miles from Topeka (sausage-egg biscuit, hash browns, orange juice), then back driving around 9:30.  At 1:30, we stopped near Oakley (Kansas), to fuel up.  I started driving then and we had lunch on the road (beef brisket-and-cheese sandwich, veggie chips, tangerine, water).  I drove all the way to Denver, arriving around 5:00.  We went to the Children's Hospital to see my mom's cousin's grandson (he was pretty sick but thankfully he's better now), then to REI for glove liners, goggles, and ski tune-up supplies, then finally to my dad's cousin's home in Broomfield (near Denver).  We got settled in, picked up my great-aunt (she lives just across a golf course from my dad's cousin's home), and had supper at the Rockbottom Brewery.  It was pretty busy but it was a Saturday night, so that's to be expected.  I had the bruschetta chicken, broccoli, and strawberry lemonade.  Tasty food!  We talked with my great-aunt for awhile, headed back to the house, showered, and were in bed by 10:50.
Weather:  When we left, it was about 34 degrees.  The temps went up and down but it was 60 degrees in Denver.  Winter, anyone?

Sunday, January 12, 2014 -- Woke up at 5:15, got ready, had breakfast (peach and blueberry oatmeal, apple juice), loaded the car, and headed for Dillon at 6:20.  My dad's cousins have a condo in Dillon and we arrived at it around 7:30, unloaded, and headed for Beaver Creek Ski Resort.  I-70 was kind of slushy, not terrible, but it certainly was blowing snow...making for a slow-er drive to the mountain.  We eventually got there around 8:45, geared up, and started skiing.  It snowed pretty much all day, which made for awesome, fresh, fluffy powder to float through ever so softly.  My fantastic Lines happily cruised through (with a little help) the fluff that often came to my knees.  We did the normal mix -- blues, blacks, a little glade skiing, all that.  The wind and snow would occasionally blow so hard, we could barely see or move, even going straight downhill!  We got to ski on the Women's Downhill Raptor Course, the downhill course for the 2015 World Cup Championships.  I loved skiing the same run that Julia Mancuso, Mikaela Shiffrin, and others may ski on!  It certainly wasn't as icy as it will be for them, but there were still some ice spots.  We tried to avoid them...we weren't particularly trying to become downhill champions.  All in all, it was a pretty steep run and I loved it.  Lunch had been packed, so we ate in a cafeteria (sausage-and-cheese sandwiches, chips, veggies, clementines, hot chocolate, water), then headed back out to have some more skiing time.  When we finished for the day, Matthew and I got hatpins (we always get hatpins at every new place we ski at...it's a tradition) and we headed for Dillon at 5:30.  We eventually arrived at 6:30 (it was kind of an adventure getting back), had supper in the condo (pulled-pork sandwiches, chips, cookies, water), unloaded/unpacked, cleaned up, and hit the covers at 10:00 p.m.  It was, overall, a really nice powder day at Beaver Creek.
Weather:  Temperatures ranged from approximately 10 degrees to 25 degrees, with snow, heavy wind gusts, and a tiny bit of sunshine (maybe 15 minutes) in the afternoon.  Weather in one word?  POWDER!

Monday, January 13, 2014 -- We were able to sleep in until 8:00 a.m. today.  After breakfast (blueberry bagel with honey nut cream cheese, peach oatmeal, milk), we geared up and headed for Copper Mountain, arriving at 10:15.  We started our day by riding a shuttle to the bottom of American Eagle, then having a blast, as usual.  It was so quiet; hardly anyone was there.  Again, we had fresh, fluffy powder to plow through on our various runs.  Lunch was at the bottom of the Super Bee Lift, a $5.99 special for various meal options.  I chose the cheese ravioli with garlic bread, topped off with cocoa.  Portions were generous and yummy.  After lunch, we headed up to Rendezvous Bowl -- super skiing with nice steep parts at the top, powder, and more powder.  We also rode Storm King (a t-bar) and a couple of doubles to find some more nice steeps.  I love feeling strong and confident enough to power through tougher terrain.  A combination of a special workout from SKI magazine, my wonderful Line skis, dedication, and pushing myself has paid off.  It really was a wonderful day.  We headed out at 4:30, had an uneventful trip to Dillon (thankfully), got gas and groceries, showered, had supper (a conglomeration of leftovers -- fried chicken, pulled pork, pasta, biscuits, pineapple-banana juice, dessert -- chocolate chip cookies and milk), and hopped in bed at 9:10.
Weather:  Temperatures ranged from 0 degrees to 20 degrees, with light snow all day, high wind gusts above treeline, and a tiny bit of sunshine in the afternoon.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014 -- Woke up at 6:45, got ready, had breakfast (strawberry oatmeal, bagel with honey nut cream cheese, milk), loaded everything up, and headed for Loveland at 9:00 a.m.  Once we arrived, we got our tickets, geared up, and started skiing.  Loveland is an adorable ski area -- kind of like a big Sipapu.  It has a low-key vibe, barely any base area, not as much vertical drop, and fixed-grip (translation: slower) chairlifts.  It's still a nice place.  It's also the place where, many years ago, I tumbled head-over-heels for 400+ feet down a steep double-black.  The reasons?  Too short skis, too little experience, blizzard conditions, and so forth.  So I was, naturally, apprehensive and very ready to conquer this mountain.  Once is enough for it to conquer me.  Unfortunately, because of high wind and blowing snow, the quad chairlift to the top of the mountain was closed so I couldn't ski the very run I fell down, but we were still able to have some nice runs in...yes, powder again!  It was very windy and cold, so we went in for an early lunch at 11:20 (pepperoni pizza, cocoa) and warmed up.  After lunch, my dad, Matthew, and I enjoyed some double-blacks with super powder, chute-like qualities, and nice steepness.  We also skied (with my mom) a nicely-steep black that went down through some trees and had some little bumps (moguls).  It ended in a tunnel which we walked through.  It was my favorite run.  Right before 3:00, we headed out.  My dad and I skied all the way to the car because it had snowed enough to cover the parking lot substantially!  By 3:15, we were heading down out of the mountains and towards home.  As we drove along through the eastern Colorado plains, we saw a gorgeous sunset illuminating Pikes Peak.  My mom and I sang America the Beautiful and said good-bye to the mountains and beauty of Colorado.  We stopped in Burlington, Colorado for gas and supper at Reynaldo's (chicken enchiladas, rice, refried beans, lettuce, water), then on to Oakley, Kansas, to spend the night at a Sleep Inn.  After showering and getting ready for bed, we were asleep by 10:20.
Weather:  Temperatures between 0 degrees and 15 degrees, wind chill around -35 degrees at times, poor visibility, high wind gusts, snow.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014 -- We woke up at 6:15, got ready, had breakfast (cereal, strawberry yogurt, apple juice), loaded everything, and started driving around 7:20.  I enjoyed seeing the pre-sunrise before I slept for an hour-and-a-half -- red, pink, and orange seemed to set the horizon on fire.  I do love sunrises and sunsets, especially out west!  At 11:30, we stopped for gas at the rest area we ate breakfast at on the way out.  I started driving after that and we had lunch on the road (PB&J sandwich, veggie chips, tangerines, apple rings, apple-cinnamon sticks, cookies, water).  We drove non-stop and arrived at our home at 3:30.  We unloaded everything and I hurried to get ready for and go to ballet (4:45 to 6:15).  After that, I came back, organized, showered, had supper (fish balls, macaroni and cheese, applesauce, grape juice), got ready for bed, and was cozy and sleepy at 10:45.  Our first 2014 ski trip was excellent, with plenty of powder and great skiing!
Weather:  Temperatures from 25 degrees to 30 degrees and gorgeous sunshine all day.  Of course sun comes after we're done skiing!

Beaver Creek (January 12) -- snow nearly all day

Me, my dad, Matthew, and my mom at Beaver Creek (January 12)

There was a brief period of sunshine in the afternoon at Beaver Creek (January 12)!

Here I am at Copper Mountain (January 13)

Copper Mountain (January 13) -- more snow

My only picture from Loveland (January 14) -- it was really cold and snowy

~Anna~