Prairie Primer: The Long Winter

Finishing Laura Ingalls Wilder’s The Long Winter the same week as our state’s only snow fall was fortuitous.

(Yes, I looked up both the spelling and the definition – just to be certain.)

When we finish each of the books we celebrate in some Laura Ingalls-ish manner.  (Gold Rush party.  Venison dinner. Native American Festival.)

Last night we had an Ingalls evening here at the house.  We kept our heat turned on (who wants to be that hardcore this winter?).  We brought all kinds of hand crafts into the living room.  Turned off the lights.  Sat by the fake flickering flame of our electric “wood” stove and the glow of twelve tiny tea lights (because that was the current extent of our candle collection).

It was mostly lovely.  (I mean, we do have five young human children.  Sometimes that creates chaos, you know.  So mostly lovely is a great report.)

After each book we read a chapter in a book called Laura Ingalls Wilder Country.   This book shares some historical facts and includes fantastic wide-page photographs of the many homesites and landscapes of the Ingalls family as they traversed west.

The Long Winter takes place in DeSmet, South Dakota.

Before the Little House series, South Dakota equalled only Mt. Rushmore – or “the faces” as the kids used to call it.

DeSmet is Stop Four I think in this summer’s Prairie Journey.  Our family is making a giant trek this July to visit the sites of the Ingalls’ pioneer homes.

I’ve already been making lists and writing down itineraries and charting routes.  (Of course I have.)

In DeSmet we are planning to take a break from the many nights of camping (and sleeping in a covered wagon!) and we are staying one night at a charming looking bed and breakfast – The Prairie House Manor.  (Yes – it’s the bed and breakfast featured on the right  side bar!)

It’s right in the heart of little DeSmet and it appears to be a welcome respite even for a family as large as ours.

I’m crossing my fingers that on our breakfast plates will be pancake people just like Ma served her family.

This long winter of our own has been the perfect season for planning and dreaming about a summer adventure.