I don't really even know where to begin! I am writing this post after we have finished our Wilder Trail journey so I can say that this was BY FAR my favorite stop on the Wilder Trail. My 2nd favorite would be Mansfield. DeSmet just had so much feel of the tv show. We camped here in a covered wagon (I would highly recommend it and don't be alarmed with the high winds...it's normal and you won't blow off down the prairie.) Something about this homestead more than any of the others, I could actually feel like Laura and Mary were there running in the prairie as we walked along. It was a very odd, but neat feeling!
We were able to go into a dugout like the Ingalls lived it. Yikes! I sure could not have done that! It is basically a hole dug into the side of a hill and it is a home. I feel so sorry for them but they made do and always seemed happy!
We also went into an example of a shanty liked they lived in when they laid claim to land. It is basically like our shed now. I wouldn't like it but would sure take it to a dugout!
We were able to go into a sod barn like pa built; saw the well he dug...it still works; did laundry like they had to once a week; visited a replica cabin; went on a buggy ride to the school and learned about some games they played or how they did things out on the prairie. Super cool and I hope to get to go back here one day and stay longer in the covered wagon! It was my favorite stay of the entire trip...over any of the hotels we stayed in with indoor plumbing...lol!
The barn
The well pa built
The sod barn
The cabin...we laid on the front lawn as the sun went down and it seemed like we could hear kids giggling. The wind was blowing...it was amAzing!
I think I will stick to my washer....
...and dryer!
I got to drive the wagon to the school house.
The prairie winds were blowing strongly!
Kids making corn dolls like the one below.
Straw that the Ingalls had to wrap because there wasn't any wood and they almost froze to death!
Ma's kitchen
Where the girls would sleep
Ma and Pa's room
This homestead was just beyond awesome to me!
After the family nearly froze to death on the prairie, they started staying in town during the winter. They stayed at the Surveyor's House, which is where pa worked.
Pull out bed for the baby.
Laura & Mary's room upstairs.
Ma's shepherdess doll on the shelf signifying it was the "home" for the Ingalls. Oddly, ma took it to every home they live in but it cannot be located now. However, after ma died and the house was sold, the owner threw away what was left there not realizing the family would become a famous family.
The school building that Laura and Mary attended in DeSmet.
A much prettier school than I had imagined.
A school like the one that Laura first taught at.
The inside of the school like Laura taught at. It seemed like what we would consider a shed today.
The final house that pa built in DeSmet, South Dakota. Both pa and ma died in this home.
The inside of the home restored to what it looked like based on a picture that Carrie took of ma in the home. It is the only picture of an Ingalls taken in their actual home.
The bedroom where pa died.
This was Mary's room but after pa died and they took in boarders for money, ma moved into this room with Mary. It is the room that ma died in on Easter.
Ma used brown paper and cut out stars to attached to her shelves to make them look like fancy shelves.
Ma's kitchen
Pa's tombstone
Ma's headstone
Laura and Almanzo's son's grave
Mary Ingalls' grave
Carrie Ingall's grave
Interesting fact, Carrie's husband helped to build Mt Rushmore
Grace Ingalls Dow's grave
The Main Street in DeSmet where pa had a store and there first home in town was.
Silver Lake...we couldn't get up to dip our toes in it.
Up on this hill is where the shanty was that Laura gave birth to Rose in.
Dipping our toes into Lake Thompson. Almanzo took Laura on carriage rides around this lake when he was courting her.
Such a beautiful lake!
A night on the prairie!
The coolest place that we stayed the entire trip! The bathhouse and bathrooms were fortunately located right behind our wagon.
No comments:
Post a Comment