Laura rocks

Not a lot of time to write, as I am once again borrowing a computer from our generous travel mates. (Thanks guys for being so cool as to let me steal some internet time from you and to let me get cranky when I get tired and don't feel well.)

We began our day with a quiet breakfast here at the inn, so good and such a great start to the day. Which is important, because a girl needs her strength when she's about to walk some of the same steps as one of her personal heroes. Laura Ingalls Wilder rocks. Seriously, if she was still alive today, I would stalk her like a rock star. I mean, afterall, I am stalking her and she's dead. So, you guessed it, we visited her final homes in Mansfield, MO today. And I did buy a bonnet and I did wear it and I did pose for photographs on the front porch of her quaint little home. Don't laugh. . . you know you are jealous. I even got a chance to learn a bit more about her only daughter, Rose, and you know what? . . . She rocked too. Foreign correspondent, so good to her parents, an accomplished writer. Of course she rocked, she was Laura's daughter.

After I drug our poor fellow travelers to the main house, then the small stone cottage where she also lived briefly, we also stopped by the cemetery to pay our respects to Laura, Almanzo and Rose. (As a side note to Starstruck Cat, Almanzo hooked the rugs that are still in the house.) And, Laura and Rose were accomplished needle artists.

Needlefingers and I managed to squeeze in a stop by One City Market where we met the owner, Lisa, who entertained us and showed us her delightful shop. What I loved in addition to Lisa? She had used refurbished lawn furniture to decorate the place. So cozy and such great stuff. She was also thrilled to meet our Needlefingers, Sock Madness winner of 2007.

We headed to Lambert's "Home of the Throwed Rolls" where my beloved indeed caught a roll and we got a chance at sustenance before going to Fantastic Caverns. Gotta love visiting a cave, particularly when the DRIVE you through it. It was fun to be there with Pilot as it had been a long-time wish of his to make the tour.

We headed back to the inn (after grabbing some Panera goodies and eating on the back deck of our new homestead) and have been relaxing, playing a little Euchre, drinking a little coffee. I must confess that I have a sore throat and swollen glands; which are not making me the best of companions these days. Please read their posts for much more eloquent and detailed reports. Sore throats also make me want to go to bed, which is where I am headed.

Photos:
Lovely fresh flowers on our breakfast table.
Laura's farmhouse at Rocky Ridge in Mansfield, MO.
Laura and Almanzo's final resting place.
Lisa and a shot of her shop, One City Market in Rogersville, MO.
Names of a group of ladies who dared tour Fantastic Caverns (then Knox Caverns) many years ago.
A bridge along a little trail at Fantastic Caverns, which we followed after our Jeep tour.