Spring Break 2010, Little House On The Prairie

Keep reading...pictures at the end of the post!

With a ha and a gee the trusty Steed (mobile) headed out on a Spring Break adventure, covered wagon (camper) in tow. Our first stop: Dillon’s, the grocery store just a few blocks from home. We purchased firewood and an onion and hit the trial towards Independence, KS. Just like Pa, Ma, Laura, Mary and Carrie Ingalls.

After chasing Dairy Queen signs in Iola (10 miles later, we found it to be closed for the season—did you know DQ has a season? Apparently, in Iola, KS, it does), we stopped at McDonald’s for some healthy vittles.

Onward to Elk City State Park (in Independence) where we circled the wagon and headed directly to the sight of the log cabin in “Little House on the Prairie.” How exciting to see the tiny log cabin. We just finished the book last night and all four of us were anxious to see everything. The cabin was so small. No wonder the phrase, “cabin fever,” was coined! Nearby, the well that Pa and Mr. Scott dug by hand still remains.

Also on the site, a gift shop full of Little House paraphernalia and books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I am a sucker for a book. Each girl got a copy of a Laura Ingalls Wilder book with a “Little House on the Prairie” stamp. Also purchased were pencils and post cards.

Next to the cabin stands a one-room schoolhouse that is fully furnished. Though it has nothing to do with Little House, it was a history lesson within itself. The desks in all sizes and even the wood-burning stove were there. So was the original copy of “Farmer Boy,” the third book in the little house series. We started “Farmer Boy” tonight and were excited to see that the first chapter is all about Almanzo’s one room schoolhouse.

The girls also enjoyed some time on the playground at the State Park. Brrrr. It’s pretty chilly tonight and I think, based on the snoring around me, that I am the only person still awake. We are all huddled under our thick blankets without heat so that we can continue the Little House experience. Just kidding. Something is wrong with the power supply, so no heater tonight. I guess we can pretend that we are in a covered wagon…

Today (and tonight) was truly a living history lesson. Who knows what tomorrow holds?

So glad that I have a minivan and not a wagon.

Here it is...THE little house on the prairie.

The door was pretty small...

As was the rest of the cabin.