Field Trip!

Here in Mid-South - Middle-on-No-Where - Missouri, the dogwoods are blooming!! On this somewhat overcast - but warm - day, I went on a field trip with my daughter's 3rd grade class to Mansfield, Missouri. This is where Laura Ingalls Wilder spent over 35 years of her life and where she wrote her famous Little House books.

There are 2 homes to visit. One is the original cabin that turned into a lovely home (Laura & Almanzo added on & added on as they were able). We weren't allowed to take pictures inside of the beautiful antiques or the pieces of furniture that Almanzo made.

It's hard to imagine that Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family actually lived and worked here. Their daughter Rose also lived upstairs for a while and wrote stories, books, and essays. I am anxious to read her book, Let the Hurricane Roar. I have read all (or most) of the Little House books, but never anything by Rose.

There is also the Rock House maybe a mile down the road. Rose had this home built for her parents after the success of her first book. Laura & Almanzo only lived in the Rock House for 8 years before moving back to the farm where they felt more comfortable.

The Rock House is a cute, little English Tudor style house. It had gorgeous French doors and windows EVERY WHERE - light and airy ... and a bathroom with a toilet that you flushed by just pushing a button (very chic for the time period - 1928 when it was built!).

While living at the Rock House, Laura began writing her books.

We ate at a lovely little picnic area by the Ingalls-Wilder farm - and the children had fun running around outside. Just being in those surroundings made life feel "simple," and the nostalgia of the old homes brought thoughts of the olden days where picnics and running through the grass, playing tag, was just part of the every day of childhood. I'm glad I got to experience this day with my daughter and her class!