Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event -- Day 3!

Today we woke up at 7:00, got ready, enjoyed breakfast (such a good variety of yogurt, eggs, sausage, fruit, breads, and juice), and headed for the Kentucky Horse Park for the cross-country phase.  Everyone else was excited about watching it, too, as evidenced by the fact that our exit for the Park was backed up quite a bit.  We had to get off on the shoulder to wait.  Once we finally got through the gates, we headed for the start box and finish line (they're right next to each other).  We got to see several horses start and finish before we headed for other jumps.  We didn't get to see every jump, but we saw most of them and we definitely saw the most exciting ones!  We loved the incredible photo opportunities despite the constant drizzle.  It never poured, but it maintained enough to saturate everyone and everything.  We both worked hard to keep our cameras in plastic bags, safely protected from any droplets of water, but we did pull them out anytime a horse was coming over a jump we stationed ourselves at.  My poor camera's battery obviously got a tiny bit of water in it around noon, so we headed into the bathroom to use the air dryer and get it clean and dry.  After that, it worked perfectly.  Whew!  We had lunch in the Rolex Stadium (tuna wraps, trail mix, fruit, and water), which was nice because the big screen was showing the live stream of cross-country, so we could keep watching the riders, even while we ate.  Cross-country wrapped up over an hour early, so we walked around the trade fair a bit, then headed to our car to drive around the area and admire the beautiful, expansive horse farms.  After a quick stop at our hotel to change out of wet clothing, we had supper at Ramsey's.  The food was very delicious (I had lemon-yogurt chicken, yellow squash with onions, sauteed spinach, apple fritters, cornbread, and water), but we did have to wait over 45 minutes.  I think it was worth it, though, especially considering we walked about 11 miles today!  We ended the day with frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf...pineapple topped with strawberries, chocolate topped with hot fudge and cookie dough, and red velvet topped with white chocolate chips was my choice.

We really enjoyed watching each competitor fly around the course today.  The extreme athleticism of the horses and riders is astounding, really making you appreciate the work that is put into this event.  After the last team went through the finish, we were allowed to walk around on the cross-country course, and I must say that no photograph is able to accurately depict the massive size of each jump.  Even the "simplest" ones are huge -- in terms of width and height!  I am amazed, in awe, and humbled at the talent that I saw today -- just three or four feet from my face, the best eventers in the world were galloping by.  Yet another reason why, despite rain and foul weather conditions, it's the "best weekend all year!"

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive (USA) start the cross-country course

Tim Price and Bango (New Zealand) have a mishap on the next-to-last jump.  He ended up falling off and is finished for the weekend.

Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless (USA)

Post-cross-country cool down -- Phillip Dutton and his team with Mighty Nice

Val and me at the final Rolex jump, fashionably decked out in our rain gear

~Anna

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event -- Days 1 & 2!

I cannot believe it, but 2016 is my senior year of high school!  For my "Senior Class Trip", my godmother, Val, and I headed to Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.  Just click on that link if you're not aware of this amazing four-star event (the only of its kind in North America).  As their motto says, "Best Weekend All Year", and we would definitely agree with that after just one amazing day at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

Thursday, April 28, 2016 -- We decided to head out around 4:00 p.m. this afternoon, arriving in Evansville, Indiana, to spend the night at a Comfort Inn.  It was a good idea to break up the drive and enjoy a relaxing evening.  We had supper at Stoll's Country Inn Amish Buffet, which offered a huge variety of food for a very reasonable price.  We went to bed at 10:45, excited for the next day!

Friday, April 29, 2016 -- After getting ready and having a quick breakfast (banana, biscuit, chocolate-chip muffin, orange juice), we headed for the Park, arriving around 11:00 a.m.  We parked (best parking job all day, according to the attendant), entered, and headed straight for the Walnut Ring to watch a demonstration.  Elisa Wallace and her Mustangs, Fledge and Rune, were showing off their incredible skills and bond.  She is the one who inspired me to adopt a Mustang way back in November 2014, and I admire her devotion to her horses, incredible training talent, and the fact that she is competing at Rolex this weekend with Simply Priceless, an Australian Thoroughbred.  They also competed here last year and did very well.  I even got her autograph at the end of the demo!

Of course, there's also plenty of opportunities to browse the booths housing horse industry mainstays, pick up the good freebies, and find a good bargain (hot pink English saddle pad for $15, anyone?), so we did that next.  We enjoyed lunch (tuna wraps, apple, tapioca pudding, water) as the Pony Club showed off their skills, browsed the booths a bit more, watched some dressage competition and warm-up, watched some competitors in the Retired Racehorse Thoroughbred Makeover, and experienced the Land Rover Test Drive.  When else do you get to drive a minimum-$85,000 Range Rover Sport, get it muddy and dirty, and not have to pay for anything?!  Land Rover is a huge sponsor of Rolex, and this was so much fun.  We went up, down, and across hills; through two feet of water; and over a bridge.  I highly recommend it. :)

Finally, to end the evening we ran in the Rolex Kentucky Twilight 5K Run.  I set a new personal best (by minutes) of 21:28 minutes.  Wow!  That was a super fun run on a beautiful course in perfect weather conditions.  I cannot believe I actually ran that fast.  I was third in my age group (female), and I actually beat all but one of the males in my age group.  They provided grilled cheese sandwiches, bananas, granola bars, spicy pepper snack sticks, and water for a nice dinner, then we walked around Rolex Stadium (where they will be holding the show-jumping on Sunday), and finally we headed back to the car and our hotel about 20 minutes south of the Park.  All of the incredible events that happened today definitely proved to us that we are at the "Best Weekend All Year!"

Elisa Wallace with her Mustangs, Rune and Fledge

Getting Elisa Wallace's autograph and meeting Fledge

Dressage warm-up

I drove this Range Rover!

Thoroughbred Makeover demonstration

Val and me after the 5K

~Anna

Idaho Ski Trip -- Day #9

Today we woke up at 5:45, had a quick breakfast (cereal, an egg, a cinnamon muffin, a doughnut, milk), loaded up, and were heading for home by 6:35.  We drove without stopping to Grand Island, Nebraska, where we got fuel and went to the bathroom in less than 20 minutes.  Afterwards, we made and ate lunch on the road (peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich, nuts, an apple, IKEA cookies, water), then drove on non-stop to Kingdom City, Missouri, for our final fuel and bathroom break.  At 8:20, we pulled in our driveway, a beautiful site for a somewhat-homesick girl.  I immediately went out to see and feed my baby girls (aka my horses, Pearl and Blondie), then came in for unpacking, organization, supper (pasta, homemade bread, juice), a shower, and now a very late bedtime.

I truly enjoyed this trip, as I do every other one I have been blessed to go on.  I am thankful God gave us the time, ability, and finances to take off for nine days.  We skied for six days in a row, four in sunshine, which is a new record for us!  We tried new foods, skied at four new resorts and one "familiar friend", reveled in the beauty of God's amazing creation, and enjoyed quality family time.  I thank our Lord for keeping us safe and healthy, especially since we logged over 3,000 miles on the road.  As I said above, I enjoyed this trip, but since this was the first time all four of us left since getting horses, I think I really gained a deeper appreciation for the simple pleasures of home.  Getting up each morning and going out to feed my girls, sleeping in my own bed, having everything in the familiar locations -- these and many more things mean more to me than ever before.  I have been given a gift of gratefulness and I will never look at my life at home the same way.  Even when things get very hectic and stressful (hello, tomorrow!), I know that I will be able to remain peaceful and calm (mostly).  I will remember the wonderful memories of yet another lovely trip, but I will also be content and happy in "daily life".  I encourage you to take a broader look at your life.  Even if you're feeling down and stuck in the same old routine, look up at the world around you.  Be positive and count what Jesus has given you, not what you don't have.  Maybe you can't take that vacation to some exotic location, but you CAN be a light for the Lord in your everyday life.  Remember whose you are and that He loves and cares for you beyond comprehension.  It is the amazing Father God who gave me a new perspective on life through a nine-day ski trip.  He is who I cling to day in and day out, no matter what.  And when I fall, He's there to pick me up, help me, and forgive me.  He will do the same for you if you believe and trust in Him.  It is my sincere hope and prayer that you already or will experience this.  Thanks for reading, have a blessed day, and until next time....!

~Anna

Idaho Ski Trip -- Day #8



Today was our last day of skiing!  We woke up 7:00, had breakfast (blueberry yogurt, a biscuit, a banana, an egg, cranberry juice, and water), loaded the car and checked out, and headed for Snowbasin (in Utah).  The weather was just like yesterday -- no sunshine, snow, and poor visibility at the top.  The cloud cover was just a touch too low...we would get off the lift and ski for 400 or 500 feet before we could see anything.  It's not as fun to ski in conditions like that because you have to go very cautiously and slowly due to the horrible flat light, but we all stayed safe, which is important.  Snowbasin was the site of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games' downhill, combined, and Super G ski races, and we got to ski on parts of the women's and men's downhill runs.  Since it was a Friday, there were quite a few people to share the slopes with compared to the last several days, plus it was a powder day!  It was fresh, soft, and wonderful to smear through, often up to our knees!  Two of the main lifts at Snowbasin are gondolas, which was definitely a factor in staying warm and dry.  The temperatures were also higher than yesterday, which helped.  Two of my favorite runs were Moonshine Bowl, a wide black with a nice pitch, length, and untracked powder; and Philpot Ridge, another black with some great bumps at the end, giving me awesome air (more than I expected!).  It's always important to remember what skiing is all about -- having fun, getting exercise, and enjoying the winter season that God gives us.  For me, that includes mixing up the routine, always trying something new, and pushing myself to be a better skier (all while being safe, of course).  Just like everything in life, you shouldn't ever stop learning.  Lunch was at the John Paul Lodge -- a turkey sandwich with chips, water, and part of a Rice Krispie treat.  Snowbasin is owned by Sun Valley, so that elegant atmosphere carries over here, as evidenced by the décor, real china and silverware, and beautiful, big lodges.  At the end of the day, we did a bit of shopping (and saw members of the Australian Aerial Ski Team in the shop!), loaded everything in the car, and headed east on I-80.  We stopped in Green River, Wyoming, for supper at Taco John's (chicken taco salad, peanut butter-banana smoothie), then drove on to Laramie, Wyoming, to spend the night in a Quality Inn & Suites.  We would have gone farther, but the interstate wasn't in great shape (icy spots).  Thankfully, we got in safely and will be home tonight (I'm posting this a day late, in the car).

Grizzly Men's Downhill

Below the heavy cloud cover

Matthew and me at Snowbasin

On our way home

~Anna

Idaho Ski Trip -- Day #7

Today we woke up around 7:45, got ready, had breakfast (a little cereal, part of a blueberry waffle, an apple, half of an oat-bran muffin, water), and headed up the Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird.  My parents went there several times in the early 1990s, but Matthew and I had never been there.  Our streak of good weather ended today, unfortunately -- it snowed nearly all day, never got above 20 degrees, and at times was quite windy.  Visibility was difficult sometimes, especially the "flat light", where you can't see contours.  That makes for slow, careful skiing if you want to stay safe.  We did ride the Little Cloud quad once, but at the top you could hardly see 75 feet and snow was blowing hard, so we didn't do that anymore.  We also rode in a tunnel on a magic carpet, which was very cool.  That took us through the mountain to Mineral Basin, where we took a few runs before heading back to the summit and down the other side.  Our last runs for the day were off of the Wilbere double, where we found some nice, semi-untouched powder.  Skiing in the weather conditions we had today isn't exactly fun, but fresh, soft powder is sure nice.  We had several inches of it to enjoy.  Lunch was at the Mid-Gad Restaurant and Grill -- warm veggie chili with a parmesan breadstick, followed by all of us sharing a peanut butter Rice Krispie treat.  After our fifth day of skiing and a little shopping, we headed back down to our hotel for showers and supper at Pace's Dairy Ann Drive-In.  Originally from 1957, it is no longer a drive-in but still has the traditional "diner fare" -- burgers, onion rings, fries, and milk shakes.  We so rarely eat that kind of food, it was a tasty treat to wind down from a day of skiing.  Tomorrow is our final day of skiing, followed by starting the long drive home.  Hopefully we will have better weather tomorrow, but even if we don't, it has been a great ski trip!

Entering the tunnel at Snowbird

Hard snow and poor visibility at Snowbird

Snowbird at the end of the day -- now it gets clear!

~Anna

Idaho Ski Trip -- Day #6

After getting in bed after midnight last night, we slept in until about 8:30, which was necessary and nice.  We got ready quickly, had breakfast (cereal, strawberry yogurt, an orange, an oat-bran muffin, milk, and cranberry juice), and headed up Big Cottonwood Canyon to ski at Solitude.  We had skied there about nine years ago; it's always fun to return to a familiar spot.  For most of the day, we had glorious sunshine, no wind, and temperatures higher than anything so far on the trip (upper 20s to lower 30s).  For the final hour or so, we did have clouds and substantial winds because a storm is moving in, but to have the weather we've had for four days of skiing is phenomenal!  The snow was pretty nice except for being thin in multiple places.  That created an adventure in skiing down some runs -- we had to weave around rocks and grass, but it made us pay attention!  My favorite run was Woodlawn, a black, one of the longest at Solitude.  It started with some moguls and steeps, then narrowed into a lovely spruce-filled canyon traverse.  It was so long and lovely.  I wish we could have done it more than once!  Lunch was at the Roundhouse Restaurant (yes, same name as the one at Sun Valley), a scrumptious chicken pot pie and a shared oatmeal-raisin cookie.  We skied until the 4:00 closing, loaded up, and headed back down to our hotel.  After showering, we headed into downtown Salt Lake City to admire the capital building and Mormon temple.  Supper was at Cucina Toscana, a very upscale fine-dining Italian restaurant.  We've never eaten at a place quite this unique!  For starters, they asked us what kind of water we wanted (tap or sparkling).  Their staff, all native Italians, were constantly around to refill cups, clear dishes, and take excellent care of us.  I had the ravioli toscana, spinach- and ricotta-filled ravioli in a butter-sage-tomato sauce.  It was delicious.  For dessert, after the complimentary hot chocolate and biscotti, we shared a few flavors of gelato (lemon, chocolate, pistachio) and a chocolate panna cotta (an eggless, fluffy mousse-type dessert).  I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for authentic, amazing Italian fare in Salt Lake City...but it is a splurge (financial- and food-wise), so make sure you've earned it!  We really loved it.

Woodlawn, my favorite trail at Solitude

A picture of our WHOLE family after lunch

Solitude -- I love this sign!

~Anna

Idaho Ski Trip -- Day #5

My mom and I got to sleep in until about 8:10 (which felt great) while my dad and brother did a business-related trip.  We had breakfast (cereal, mini blueberry muffin, banana with peanut butter, mini doughnut, orange juice), did some work in our room until my dad and Matthew got back, then loaded the car and checked out.  We headed up an amazing mountain road to Bogus Basin, Idaho.  It never stopped twisting back and forth as we gained elevation.  The changes in landscape were so neat -- we went from arid, sagebrush-covered hills to deep snow and evergreen forests in the mountains.  By 11:45, we had our tickets and were skiing.  Bogus Basin is a wonderful ski area with high-speed quads and very nice runs.  The temperature was slightly warmer than at Sun Valley, but much windier, so it felt colder.  We had sunshine for part of the day, followed by high overcast clouds with occasional sunshine peeking through.  Since it was a Tuesday afternoon, there was almost nobody there.  We joked that we had our own personal ski area!  Lunch (chili in a toasted sourdough bread bowl) was at the J.R. Simplot Lodge, named in honor of the man who purchased Bogus Basin to prevent it from falling into financial ruin.  After a nice, easier day of skiing (about four hours), we drove back down the mountain to Boise, where we got fuel and went to the bathroom.  Driving through Boise was very enjoyable.  We went on several residential streets, where my mom and I admired the architectural beauty of amazing historic houses.  Finally, at 10:30, we arrived at our Comfort Inn & Suites in Woods Cross, Utah, to spend the night.  We ordered a pepperoni pizza from Papa John's for a quick in-the-room supper, and now it is time for much-needed sleep.

Riding the Morning Star triple chairlift at Bogus Basin

Pretty views from Bogus Basin

On the way down to Boise

~Anna

Idaho Ski Trip -- Day #4

Today we woke up at 7:25, got ready, had breakfast (cereal, a biscuit, an apple, cinnamon roll, milk), loaded the car and checked out of the hotel, and drove to Sun Valley for our second and final day.  It was another beautiful, sunny day with not too many people.  It was -4 degrees at the base when we were gearing up!  By mid-morning, clouds had moved up the valley and were everywhere below us but we were skiing above them in clear conditions.  It was like being in an airplane.  For me, today was much better in many ways.  I was comfortable, happy, and at home on my skis.  I was able to work on some things I had been working last season, and I feel I made good progress.  My favorite runs were wide, mogul-filled bowls, such as Easter and Lookout Bowls.  I skied both of them non-stop and felt fantastic.  Moguls are such a different workout than just a blue cruiser -- they work your whole body and test your fitness, endurance, strength, and stamina.  I just had a blast.  Our lunch was at the Seattle Ridge Day Lodge.  I had the mushroom caprese -- mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, basil, arugula, tomatoes, and a pesto on delicious grilled flatbread.  We shared oatmeal-raisin and chocolate chip cookies, too...and plenty of water to stay hydrated!  We skied until about 3:45, basically taking every run on the place over two days.  Sun Valley was a wonderful experience and I would definitely recommend it to other skiers (but not beginners).

After loading our gear in the car, we drove to Twin Falls, Idaho, to meet some business people for dinner at Elevation 482.  The restaurant is 482 feet above the Snake River, hence the name, and has very "trendy" dishes.  We shared clams for an appetizer; followed by a spinach salad laden with dried cranberries, nuts, tomatoes, onions, and a vinaigrette dressing; and local red trout served with an Idaho baked potato for the main course.  Eating healthy is important anytime, but especially on a ski trip where your performance on the slopes and how you feel at the end of the day depends on what you consume.  After dinner and conversation, we drove to a Comfort Suites in Boise to spend the night.

Our view early in the day 

Clouds moving into the valley

One of the bowls we skied

~Anna

Idaho Ski Trip -- Day #3

Today we woke up at 7:15, got ready, had breakfast (a banana with peanut butter, biscuit, scrambled eggs, muffin, and milk), geared up, and took a very short shuttle ride to Sun Valley.  We have never skied here before but definitely love it after the first day!  Everyone was very kind and welcoming.  The weather, although cold (0-20 degrees all day), was beautiful sunshine, so we couldn't have asked for a better first day of skiing.  We logged about 30,000 vertical feet of runs today, traversed all over the mountain, rode nearly every lift, and enjoyed the amazing views.  Since it was clear today, we could see for dozens of miles.  Our lunch was at the Roundhouse Restaurant (the original part is from 1936), a lovely spot with 360-degree views of the mountains and wonderful, unique menu items.  We shared the elk carpaccio for an appetizer -- thin slices of elk meat topped with spruce, apple, currant, radish, and rye bread pieces.  For the main course, I had the pulled turkey sandwich -- white turkey chunks, roasted pears, endive, and gooey goat cheese on a ciabatta roll, served with a mixed-greens salad topped with a vinegar dressing.  The food is somewhat expensive, but the portions are generous and extremely tasty.  After lunch, we skied until about 3:50 (Sun Valley closes at 4:00), just enjoying our snow and family time.  We haven't skied since March, so it takes a bit of work to get back in the "mode".  Fortunately, Sun Valley does a beautiful job of grooming, and we nearly had the place to ourselves, so it was a perfect ease-in to the 2016 skiing season.  We went on such a wide variety of terrain and loved skiing at a new place.  After skiing to the base, we went in a store to get hatpins (Matthew and I have one from almost every place we've skied at) and a few other items.  Then we walked back to our hotel (it's SO close to the ski area), went out to look at one of the first chairlifts in the world (a single), came back to the hotel to shower, and headed to supper at Jhony's Peruvian Restaurant.  We hadn't ever tried Peruvian food, but it's always good to branch out.  I had their specialty, part of a rotisserie chicken (so flavorful with herbs) served with Idaho fries and a salad.  Then we all shared flan (light and fluffy) and a cinnamon mousse (similar to a pudding) for dessert.  Our waitress was very helpful and friendly, and we enjoyed talking with her about her home country of Peru.  Now we are back at the hotel and ready for a good night's rest.

Our view this morning

Beautiful views at Sun Valley, Idaho

Matthew and me at the Roundhouse Restaurant, where we ate lunch

~Anna

Idaho Ski Trip -- Days 1 & 2!

Friday, January 8, 2016

Today we headed toward Idaho!  It is the first trip all four of us have taken since March 2014, so we are all looking forward to a refreshing, enjoyable, relaxing time together in God's amazing creation.  After working this morning, we got everything loaded in the car and were on the road by 1:00 p.m.  Lunch (cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese, nuts, cheese stick, strawberry Greek yogurt, and water) was on the road.  We drove until 6:30 and got fuel and supper in Percival, Nebraska.  Supper was grilled chicken wraps from Wendy's.  After that, we got to Kearney, Nebraska, just a bit after 9:30 and checked into our Quality Inn.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Today was a very long day.  We got up at 6:00 a.m., had a quick breakfast (strawberry yogurt, a biscuit, a cherry pastry, and apple juice), and were heading west in the darkness by 7:00.  We passed the exit for Elm Creek, Nebraska, which is where a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding facility is.  My first Mustang, Diego, lived there for about two years before we adopted him at an auction in Nevada, Missouri.  Our next stop was Cheyenne, Wyoming, for fuel and a bathroom break.  A few hours later, we fixed and ate lunch in the car again (peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich, cheese stick, nuts, pears, milk, water).  Shortly after lunch was a very special event for me.  We drove right by the Salt Wells Creek Herd Management Area, one of many in these western states.  HMAs are home to many species of  wildlife, but primarily wild Mustangs.  The reason Salt Wells Creek is so special is that my current Mustang, Blondie, was born there!  She lived about 18 months on that desolate, rugged terrain before being rounded up, living in Colorado for several years, competing in the Extreme Mustang Makeover-St. Louis, and finally becoming my precious baby!  It was so touching to drive right by the land where my girl grew up...really, it's an un-explainable feeling of so many emotions.  I'm sure my fellow Mustang friends understand!  Thirty-five miles later, we passed Rock Springs, Wyoming, where Blondie initially lived while the BLM administered veterinary treatment and got her papers in order.  Driving by on I-80 at 75 or 80 miles per hour doesn't allow much viewing, but it's still fun to be in the vicinity of where Blondie was.  We needed fuel in Evanston, Utah, again, so we stopped there.  I drove from there to Twin Falls, Idaho, where my brother Matthew finished the LONG trip up here -- 75 miles to Ketchum.  We arrived just before 8:00 p.m., checked into our Best Western, headed out for supper at Despo's Mexican Restaurant (huge portions but excellent food; I had a chicken enchilada with rice and black beans), and finished the day with showers and much-needed rest.  It is a very long way to drive, even over one-and-a-half days like we did, but I am grateful to God for getting us here safely and at a decent time of evening.  Now we get to MOVE and ski for a few days at new places!

Salt Wells Creek HMA (where Blondie was born)

~Anna

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