Day 8 - South Dakota, Walnut Grove

DAY 8,  Thursday, August 28, 2014

Early in the Morning After a Much Needed Shower

Part 1

So now here we are once again, on our way to Walnut Grove. I had already been told that the museums of Walnut Grove would be nothing like the ones of De Smet, even though Walnut Grove is where our minds wander when think of Little House on the Prairie, but in reality, it was the television show that made Walnut Grove a landmark, and not the real Laura Ingalls Wilder. She actually only lived in Walnut Grove for a short period of time, whereas she wrote five books about her life in De Smet. 

Going to De Smet was the best thing we could have done. For somebody who grew up watching the Little House on the Prairie shows, it was an eye-opener to realize that though enjoyable, 95% of the stories were fiction. Even Austin could not wait to get his hands on the books written by Laura, after hearing the exciting, true-life accounts of her life as told by the guides who have researched her and her family’s lives thoroughly. 

I had been so enamoured by the television show Laura that I had inadvertently not exposed my children properly to the real girl. I found the true Laura’s character, integrity, faith, and determination, inspiring, and it was not difficult to switch my childhood fascination from Melissa Gilbert’s rendition of Laura to the true person. I am looking forward to going home and reading the entire series with the children. 

We accidentally drove past Plum Creek, and given the difficulty of turning the caravan around on a freeway, we kept going, but at least we can say, “We saw it!” The museum was much like they said, and we were in and out in about half an hour. As much of it was not even related to Little House on the Prairie. 

Earlier in the day, before we left De Smet, we took the Historical Homes tour. I am so glad we did! I almost passed it by, due to the pouring rain, and the fact that I had tried to keep my hair from looking like a puffed out frizz pot. I had actually managed to have a shower, and then use a blow dryer *and* a straightener, and then I was caught in the downpour. What to do! Well, the reports I got from people who had been was that it was a must-see. So we hustled over there and missed the beginning, but were able to jump into the tour. It was so informative, and we leaned so much just by seeing the homes Laura and her family lived in!

An Original Chalkboard

The School House Laura and Her Sisters Attended

A Replica of What Laura's First Teaching School Was Like - The Brewster School

In the House That Pa Built

The Parlour

Mary's Room With a Braille Old Testament

The Kitchen Cabinet Pa Built

On the drive to Walnut Grove we passed Arlington Cemetery.

And We Arrive at Walnut Grove

a Replica of a Sod  House

An Era General Store With Real Items

As we drove through this town we found a factory where they can corn. It was the Del Monte factory. Of course, we had to stop and have a look.

Loaded With Cans

And this is for YOU, Denise. I ran through rain to get this snapshot. :)

Part 2

Our final stop of the day was at a home of a good Samaritan. An adoption friend, Melodie, had put out a call to her adoption friends, asking for a piece of driveway for us to park in, to give us a break from Walmart camping, but much more importantly than that was getting to know the area through a person who lives there. It breaks up the long miles, provides good conversation, and new friends. It was a wonderful respite, including a delicious meal with sweet corn, and sitting around the fire pit, basketball and a movie with a new friend, Jeremy, for the kids, and laundry, wifi, and a hot coffee in the morning before heading out, for me. 

Cleaning Out the Van and Caravan

Dinner is Served