On the Road Again!

We left Keystone, goodbye Battle Creek Lodge with your scratchy sheets and humid room! We got on the road to DeSmet.

We stopped for breakfast at a doughnut shop, Daylight Doughnuts, that was really yummy! Charlie makes it an immersive experience!

Driving across South Dakota did not have a lot to see, prairie and corn everywhere! We made it to DeSmet in the mid afternoon and our first order of business was to find lunch! We went to a local diner spot to fuel up. 

DeSmet is a small town big on history thanks to Laura Ingalls Wilder and the time her family spent here. They came here when Laura was about 12 and this was the family’s final stop. In fact, Ma only agreed to come if Pa agreed this would be it! 

There was also a museum that had the sleigh Almonzo would take Laura out riding in and they would have wonderful Sunday afternoons flying up and down the Main Street in the snow! They also had the black wool dress with the white collar that Ma made for Laura and she wore for her wedding. Strange to think of wearing black for your own wedding!

We started in town touring several buildings that have been moved to a museum. We saw one of the houses the family lived in while Pa was working for the railroad. In the book Laura describes it as being so spacious and very grand. It did have two bedrooms, a large pantry, and a kitchen and sitting area. Much larger than a claim shanty, but not large by most standards. 

We also saw the school building where they went and we saw the claim shanty school where Laura first taught at just fifteen years old! She loved teaching but disliked the family she lived with and was so grateful to Almonzo for driving to pick her up and bring her back each weekend. It was during that time that she went from not being so fond of him to caring for him very much. Something

 Something I learned is that Nellie was a character she created based on several girls she knew in school. 

They lived in a few places around the area as they staked a land claim, had a building in town where they lived during winter, and finally built a house where Ma and Mary lived the rest of their lives. The final house that Pa built for Ma. had five bedrooms, kitchen, parlor, and sitting room. Laura was married when they built this house, but the rest of the family lived there. Mary stayed there with Ma after Pa died.

We thought that was really it, but wanted to stop off on our way out of town to see the site where they had their homestead. I am so glad we did! It was a full homestead experience and the kids had so much fun! Most of the buildings are replicas and setup to teach about life on the prairie. The guides were so nice and really engaging! The kids rode a horse, made corncob dolls, twisted rope, pumped water, and learned hay twisting. We all went in a covered wagon ride; got a lesson in a one room school; visited a cute white church; saw animals in the hay roofed barn; and saw the big slough and cottonwood trees Laura wrote about! The kids loved running and exploring. This was the hands on experience they both hoped for.

This was a great stop! We learned, explored, and took in the beautiful land. 

From there, we drove on to Sioux Falls (this was our second pass through there) and we grabbed dinner at an Italian restaurant per request from Sarah Graves. Our server was so kind and attentive. The people in the Midwest have been very friendly and helpful. 

It was late when we pulled into Sioux City and we were happy to be at a hotel! Comfy beds and good air conditioning were much appreciated!