After putting the kids to bed in the wagon last night, Keith and I sat outside and tried to enjoy the breeze. The thing is, in the span of the evening, that breeze had whipped itself into a near gale-force frenzy. Keith and I, sitting 12 inches apart, could barely carry on a conversation over the howl of the prairie wind in our ears.
Later, we lay in bed in the wagon, wedged in there between the three children, and listened to the shriek of the wind through the screens. Between that, and the heat, and the close quarters, it was a long night for both of us. It was close to 3 when we finally fell asleep, and we woke up at dawn, with the bright sun blazing right in our faces through the open window.
The wind kept gusting all morning. During breakfast, even with our bowls weighed down with cereal and milk, we had to keep firm grasps on them, lest they get blown right off the table.
We spent the rest of the morning exploring the Ingalls Homestead. This is the land (160 acres) where Charles Ingalls and family relocated from Walnut Grove, Minn., in 1880, and where Laura lived from age 12 to 17. We browsed around in the visitors center, and then poked around in several outbuildings, including a dugout house, the Ingalls’ claim shanty, and a livestock barn. The kids had fun meeting kittens, calves and ponies, making rope and corncob dolls, and washing clothes with an old-fashioned washboard and ringer (which Clare especially enjoyed, bless her heart).
In the afternoon, we drove 45 miles straight west to Brookings and spent three fabulous hours at the amazing Children’s Museum of South Dakota. The museum opened in September in a renovated school in downtown Brookings, and the entire space is bright and airy, with exhibits including a “splash” room, an art room, a giant construction area and a kid-sized grocery store. Outside there was another splash zone and two model dinosaurs that freaked Charlie out completely when they came to “life.” The kids played, climbed, built, explored and played some more, and the museum staff had to kick us out when they closed at 5. What a glorious way to spend a 95-degree afternoon.
From the museum, we walked a couple of blocks to a lively sports bar and pub, where we met up with my good friend (and former Junior Counselor) from St. Olaf, Lisa, her husband, Dan, and their three sons, ages 7 to 10. Lisa and family live in Brookings, and Lisa is actually on the board of the children’s museum and was instrumental in its development. We had a great time catching up over dinner and beers, and the kids bonded quickly.
From there, we went back to Lisa and Dan’s home for more beers on the deck, while the children built a fort and played Wii in their basement; they are already planning their next get-together. Thanks for everything, Lisa and Dan!
The wind had died down by the time we got back to the campsite, after 10. Keith and I threw the kids in bed in the wagon, and set up our own beds in the Teardrop, hoping for some better sleep. Its much cooler tonight, with a gentle breeze. Finally.
No comments:
Post a Comment