Camp Wild Day 3

"Camp Wild, here we come!

Camp Wild is so much fun! 

Do what you want to do

Be where you want to be.

Adventure everywhere we go

With our friends and family!"

Camp Wild, here we come!

Camp Wild is so much fun!"

The children created a verse to our camp wild cheer on the long drive Wednesday morning. We loaded up the coolers at 5:45 am, and the mother vans drove us just north of Springfield to the Laura Ingalls Wilder home and Museum. Jill and Julie scheduled our visit months ago, and scored us a significant group discount and guided tour.

In preparation for this trip, the children and I read The Little House on the Prairie, together. My girls wore bonnets and braids, Reese was especially excited to see Pa's fiddle, and Corbin wanted to see Pet and Patty (Laura's horses) but was disappointed to hear they died like 100 years ago.

The Wilder farmhouse was amazing. I was sad that no photos were allowed indoors. The building has been preserved beautifully. Laura had a clever little built in library that caught the eye of all the moms. We were surprised to hear that Laura was barely 4'11" tall, and it was evident by the low ceilings and countertops that no one in the family reached great physical height. 

The Rock House that Laura's daughter, Rose, had built for her parents was beautiful and modern for its time, but definitely lacked the old time charm and character if the farmhouse. I could see why Laura and Almanzo moved back to the farmhouse as soon as possible. Rose became an independent, wealthy and very modern woman. She was very smart, spoke several languages, was an accomplished writer and world traveler. From the stories our tour guide told us, I also sensed a lot of tension between Laura and Rose.

It was sickeningly hot, and halfway through our picnic, no one in my little family could take it anymore, so we took our food to the van and ate with the car and air conditioning running. We still felt sick from the extreme heat and humidity. I would have been a terrible pioneer! 

Next stop: 

Springfield Discovery Center

This fantastic children's museum was free for our family, because we have amazeum passes. At first sight, it didn't look like much, but I grew impressed as we turned every corner to find more activities and experiments. We could have spent a whole day in this place.  Their favorite activities were the bed of nails, the giant bubble maker, the smelling station, the spinning stick, the shadow booth, and the news room--which truly was very cool. 

We found a Hurts Donut Shop 3 miles away.

And then Katie and I set out for some adventure. I mean how do you NOT stop at the worlds largest fork?! 

Giant praying hands in Webb City. 

Dinner at Culver's. Life complete.