We love to read books together. Over the past couple of years we have been working our way through the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Ava especially loved the books, and a good friend of mine just happens to be from De Smet, SD, where the later books in the series take place and Laura and her husband Almonzo met, got married and farmed early in their marriage. We had a couple of days off school this past week, so we packed up and took off for a Laura adventure. If you are a fan of the books, there is a really great tour, lots to see, and even a replica homestead on the actual claim where the Ingalls family lived.
The book "On the Shores of Silver Lake" featured the Ingalls family living in the Surveyors house, above. Imagine, the family considered this house to be a mansion, very spacious and luxurious. It has been moved from its original location, but is very much in its original state.
This was the first school in De Smet where Laura and her sister Carrie attended. Again, if you are a fan of the books, it is also the school that Almonzo's sister, Eliza Jane taught at, and Laura and Eliza Jane do not care for each other.
The kids got to pretend to be in school. They both agreed they liked their school better. It was a little chilly in this one!
Ava got to play a replica of Pa's fiddle in the house that Pa built for Ma in town. I was a little shocked that the tour guide suggest I take this photo as they do not allow photography inside the buildings.
The trees that Andy is standing by are on the Ingalls homestead and a few of the remaining surviving trees planted by Pa himself.
We were blessed to have our own prairie adventure at my friend Jessie's cattle ranch, where we stayed. The kids got to be farmers for a few days and climb fences, pet the horses, chase the cows and play on hay bales. A great adventure!
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