INFO POST FOR THE LIW ROAD TRIP

SOME POSTS HAVE CHANGED. PLEASE READ AGAIN. INFORMATION HAS BEEN ADDED AND DELETED.

Click on "older posts" at the end of the last post to read additional posts about the trip.

Please be advised campgrounds are filling fast for seasonal camping. Make reservations ASAP.

We would like RSVPs May 1st so we can make plans accordingly. Each museum has asked for an apporximate number attending for staffing solutions.

Suggestions for Project Giving are coming in. In Walnut Grove we have been asked to paint a very small one room RED schoolhouse. If we have plenty of help this will go fast. They supply paint, etc. we supply the farmgirl power to get-r-done.

While in Burr Oak, Our plans are to arrive on Sat, tour on Sunday and leave Monday. Project giving -donation to the Winneshiek County food pantry.
Please sent me a RSVP if you will be visiting Burr Oak. I am making plans with a local farmer for something special.


Suggestions/ check list for this trip:

Check all vehicle maintenance and have tools just in case. Extra wiper blades etc are not a bad idea.
Mosquito spray organic or not. First aid.
Campfire gear and items for hiking.
If you are making plans to earn badges on the road trip please post your thoughts so others may join in or give support.

A current atlas is always a plus. Emergency information.

Do not forget quilt charms and/or jewelry charms to trade.
Bring camera !!
Don't forget a journal to write informaiton about farmgirls you meet.

Bring regional items to share like wine, cheese,etc . Tea, lemonade and drinks for meet and greets, games for game night. This is a way we can experience the cultural specialties from across the miles.

Great ideas are always welcome, please share!

Welcome Farmgirls on the Loose...

WELCOME !!

This is the first blog of many to come.
As you know January is a good planning month and when one has cabin fever it can get pretty wild.

Plans are in motion for a ROAD TRIP this summer and you are all invited to participate in one way or another. You can suggest ideas, come along for one day or for the entire two weeks or keep track of the tour on this blog spot as if you were eating dust along the trail with us.
Meeting old friends and making new ones will make this trip memorable for everyone.

Let's map out the tour for you.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Pioneer Pilgrimage Road Trip 2010

Rendezvous in De Smet, SD on June 6, 2010. This will give us time to plan for travel, safety, "project giving" and "Keeping it Green".

* Project Giving - Farmgirls giving back to the community with donations to food pantries, clothes closets, churches or community parks. Pre-arranged contacts will be made and a list available before the tour.
* Keeping it Green - Goals are set to see how many pounds of recyclables this tour can save on environment. Weighed and dropped off in each location. No impact or no trace would be better. Such as using plates, napkins, jars, etc. instead of paper & plastic disposable everything.

June 7 - Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes. www.discoverlaura.org
Scavenger hunt with a pre-pd kit from museum. Sixteen point walk/drive tour.
June 8 - Project Giving , more sightseeing and travel. Arrive Walnut Grove, MN. (2 hrs.)
June 9- LIW Museum and Homes. There are 8 buildings on site. www.walnutgrove.org
Great shopping , scrapbooking, rail road museum and sod houses.
June 10 - Project Giving, shopping, travel to Pepin, WI. ( 4 hrs.)
June 11 - LIW Home and Museum. This is the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Jewelry shops, metal works, coffee shops and marina
June 12 - Project Giving , travel to Burr Oak , IA (Decorah, IA) ( 4hrs) www.lauraingallswiler.us
June 13 - LIW Park & Museum. Visitor's center and Museum. Guided tour.
We will be camping , etc near Decorah, IA.
Seed Savers Exchange , Winneshieck Winery, Biley Clock Museum
www.bileyclocks.org, This Norwegian country www.vesterheim.org ,
There are many, many art studios and textiles stores in Decorah.
June 14 - Project Giving. At this location we will be donating to the Food Pantry in Decorah.
They service the county and hit pretty hard after the closing of the meat processing
plant in Postville, IA. Travel to Kansas City, MO. ( 7 - 8 hrs)
June 15 - Kansas City, MO. Casinos, Shatto Organic Dairy - www.shattomilk.com , Steamboat Arabia
Museum - www.1856.com. Hallmark Visitor's center www.hallmarkvisitorscnter.com
shopping , textiles, history, thrift and antiquing abound. This is a day to re-group
and rest.
June 16 - Travel 3 hours to Independence, KS. Set up camp and visit the LIW homesites.
June 17 - Travel to Mansfield, MO ( 4 hrs) Visit the LIW Historic Homes. Where "Little House
Books Were Written". www.LauraIngallsWilderHome.com Project Giving.
Great shopping in the area, too.
June 18 - Project giving if not done on Thursday. This is the big finale!
" Happy Trails" Apron Gathering at Bakers Creek Seed Company.
A pioneer town welcomes us to the end of the trail. We can say our good byes and
meet Emilee Gettle owner and MJF Farmgirl. www.rareseeds.com

Start making plans.. but life happens when you are making plans.
If you are adventurous and ready... come join us on the trail.
A Pioneer Pilgrimage to Laura Ingalls Wilder Museums, Homesites and Parks across the Midwest, where farmgirl fellowship and camaraderie slowly mosey into the sunset.

* Ideas - everyone make a charm for a bracelet. Bring plenty of them to trade with farmgirls you meet along the trail. A LIW bracelet is available in Walnut Creek, MN with seven LIW buildings
included. $9.50 on site or add $6 postage.

Many of you are thinking great thoughts that need to be shared with all of us. How about great places to see along the way.

"GET YOUR TRAVELIN' APRONS ON AND FILL UP YOUR TANK, CUZ THIS IS GOING TO BE SOME KINDA ROAD TRIP".

Look forward to meeting all of you in June.
WENDE WAGNER