Laura Ingells Wilder's Homestead

Disgusted with the cold temperature and attitude in Wisconsin, I got in the car early this morning and motored west.  I bypassed the Twin Cities and all they had to offer in an attempt to reach the Bad Lands.  At 8:45 a.m. Vicki informed me that I would arrive in Rapid City (the closest metropolis to my destination) at 6:19 p.m.  I knew I would never make it in one day. I need to stop too often and don't want to power through in the dark. I've already discussed my misadventure getting gas in Minnesota,  but inspired me to head off the highway to find some lunch.  I was already in South Dakota when I decided to follow the random 'folk and knife' blue sign by an exit. I ended up at this teeny little 'cafe' in Somewhere, South Dakota to eat. There was no cell service, but bless them they had internet access. I took the opportunity to let y'all know about my stop for gas. But, this place was an anecdote in and of itself.  Sometimes heading off the highway is it's own adventure.

A couple of hours later I passed a sign on the highway for the Laura Ingells Wilder Homestead. I was so excited: a place to stop, something to do! I immediately pulled off the highway. The follow-up sign informed me that the homestead was 55 miles away. Do I continue on? Or get back on the highway towards my arbitrary destination? A quick call to Crissy, the only person who understands my love of the Little House books convinced me to go on. "At 80 mph, what's 55 miles? 40 minutes? Just go." I told her to check back tonight for pictures of it, or as likely a closed sign or a burn out building.  I've learned that signs off the highway don't always lead to what they promise. 40 plus minutes later, I was driving down a muddy dirt road that bore a warning sign that I was "traveling at my own risk." With no cell phone service, I realized how fuck I was if I got stuck.  I drove up to the completely closed LIW homestead Visitor Center. There was only a very hungry stray cat and a sign that said "Sorry we missed you. Enjoy the prairie." I wasn't even a little bit surprised. Nevertheless, with my furry friend in tow, I decided to walk around a bit. I soon discovered that the visitor center may be closed, and I clearly didn't need the 'admission pass' that the signs kept asking for, but all the out buildings were only closed with a leash clip. I got to go inside everything. It was great -- all the buildings were accompanied by the relevant passages from the books and I was immediately transported back to my childhood reading experience. I remembered 'Pa' needing to follow the laundry line from house to barn during the blizzard to avoid getting lost and saw how really close together they were.  I know, I'm so pathetic.  I don't care.  I loved it. I walked all through the prairie, going inside every building, even the little museum they had detailing her life. (Embarrassingly, I also dropped and peed in the 'flowers of the prairie' section before discovering that the bathroom facilities were also unlocked. Oops, sorry Laura.)

Before leaving I gave the stray cat one of my granola bars.  He seemed happy.