Spring 2023 Adventure Episode 5: Springfield—Greene County Botanical Gardens

On July 6, 2023July 13, 2023 By LToddIn Missouri, Photography, RV Travel, Travel3 Comments

Botanical gardens are always a draw for Jon and I when traveling. And Springfield, Missouri’s gardens were so much of a treat, we visited twice. While our daughter was busy helping the grandkids with their school work, we explored Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park on Tuesday, April 4, a gloomy cloudy day, and then again on a sunny Saturday morning April 8, 2023, with the family minus one teen.

Springfield–Greene County Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park

The botanical center is a good place to start a visit. It includes restrooms, a water fountain, a gift shop, and information about the gardens. The Lois K. Boswell Memorial Botanical Reference Library, community rooms, and Wi-Fi are also located here.

Redbud garden and gazebo available to rent for a group up to 25

Pre-schoolers might like the Garden Story Time, and the Summer Nature School will keep school-aged kids busy with activities and learning experiences. Check the website for daily and seasonal hours open. The grounds and gardens are open every day from sunrise to sunset.

We were hoping to see dogwoods blooming, but none to be seen.

Black pansies contrasted with other colors

Dedicated in 2001, Lake Drummond is a popular place for people walking or jogging along the 7/10-mile loop trail that encircles the lake. Hidden gardens and lake views guarantee something of interest every few feet or so.

Lake Drummond and Anne Drummond’s garden

Sit next to the sculpture of Anne Drummond for a few minutes to contemplate the world as birds and pollinating insects fly around the native plant species.

Have a bit of stress to release? The sounds of water flowing and birds chirping may have those tense muscles relaxing in no time.

Gray-Campbell Farmstead

Jon and I missed the Gray-Campbell Farmstead during our first visit, so we wandered over there with Laura, Jackson, and Natty the dog.

The house is one of the oldest still standing in Springfield, Mo. Built in 1856, by James Price Gray. He sold it to his brother-in-law, John Polk Campbell, nephew and name-sake of Springfield’s founder. According to the Gray Campbell Farmstead website, inside furnishings include one room filled with beds adorned with quilts. A table and chairs, photographs, a spinning wheel, fill another room some of which are authentic and others replicas. Another table displays marbles, buttons, bottles, utensils, and nails, found during an archaeological dig at the original site of the home.

Can you see anything? No. You? Not a thing. We’ll have to come back another day.

The log cabin was built from hand-cut logs and mud chinking during the 1840s in Spring Creek Mill (now named Hurley). It was once used as a family home until a larger home was constructed. Once the family moved to the house, they used the log cabin as a kitchen to protect the main house from fire. Built from hand-cut logs and mud chinking

Laura, Jackson, and Natty found the grape demonstration vineyards where professors and researchers of the viticulture program at Missouri State oversee their maintenance. Another plot of vineyards is east of the Peace through People Pavilion.

The actual family cemetery is in another location. This is a mock-up of where and how the cemetery might have looked.

The barn was donated, dismantled, and rebuilt by Amish workers from Marshfield and completed in the summer of 1991. Inside is a wagon and various historic farm tools.

The Liberty School operated from the mid-1800s until 1951 when it was consolidated with the Fair Grove district. Renovations were made to the structure after it moved to the garden, using the current building and ADA codes. The blackboard, bell tower, and many of the desks are the same as those used during the school’s active life, giving it an air of authenticity.

When the flag is raised and the bell rings it’s time for school

The house and farm buildings are open from April to October during some weekends and for special events.

Peace through People Pavilion

The pavilion includes pillars with the “Let there be Peace on Earth” inscribed in English, Spanish, Japanese, and Arabic. The benches are adorned with peace symbols such as the universal dove, the turtle of the South Pacific, and the lion and the lamb of the Middle East. Created with Missouri marble from a local quarry, the space offers another place for quiet reflection, tranquility, and connecting with nature.

Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden

In the mood for something even more tranquil? Head over to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. The 7.5-acre traditional Japanese garden was established in 1986 as a partnership with Springfield Sister Cities Association and Springfield’s sister city in Isesaki, Japan.

Walk along the winding path through mature landscaping and around three small lakes. Peek in the ceremonial teahouse, cross the moon bridge, and spend time in the meditation garden.

This garden is only open from April through October. There is a fee of $5 for adults and $3 for children aged 3-11 years, as of the blog post publication date.

Are those turtles on the boulders in koi lake?

With so many different gardens to explore, this botanical wonderland will be a delight to visit once a month or even more often to see how the flowers and plants and trees change throughout the seasons.

Next up: We visit Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company and take a tour.

Safe Travels

Spring 2023 Adventure Episode 4: A Little House on the Prairie

On June 27, 2023July 13, 2023 By LToddIn Travel4 Comments

I’ve often heard it said that you’re never too late to write the story of your heart. It’s a good thing that Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) didn’t let her age of 65 hold her back from writing hers. Encouraged by her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane (1886–1968), Laura wrote the first four books of the Little House on the Prairie series in the Rock House on Rocky Ridge Farm.

Rocky Ridge Farm Rock House

We drove to Mansfield, Missouri, on April 2, 2023, and joined a docent and several guests at the front door of Rock House on Rocky Ridge Farm. We learned Rose built the house for her parents, Laura Wilder and Almanzo Wilder (1857–1949, birth year disputed). Our tour guide crammed us all into the small rooms, not allowing us to wander or linger behind, so interior photos were impossible to snap.

She regaled us with stories about the family, much of which I’ve forgotten, as she ushered us from one small room to another. I should record these presentations, but I’m usually so enthralled with the tour guide’s presentation, I forget to ask permission.

Rose had the Rock House built upon her return from travels in 1928. The home included many of the modern conveniences of the day as a gift to her parents. Laura and Almanzo moved in at Christmas time that year.

The couple lived in the home until 1936 when they moved back to the Rocky Ridge Farm farmhouse. I guess living in the farmhouse was more to their liking than the modern conveniences afforded them at the Rock House.

A portion of the property and Rock House was eventually sold and passed through a few owners before the Wilder Home Association could repurchase it. Amazingly, many of the original fixtures and design features remained intact.

Rocky Ridge Farm farmhouse

The farmhouse was our next tour with a different guide. The process for the tour was the same in the farmhouse as at the Rock House. The guide crammed us first into the kitchen area and then into each subsequent room. However, this time I could take a few quick photos by lagging behind a bit.

Entrance to the Wilder farmhouse is through the kitchen

Arriving in Mansfield, Missouri, from South Dakota in August 1894, Laura and Almanzo purchased a forty-acre farm with a one-room log cabin near a spring and ravine. A year later in 1895, they built a room onto the side of the house and the next year they moved the new room to the present historic house location where it is now the kitchen. Additional add-ons included a two-room house with an attic bedroom for Rose. Construction on the home was completed in 1913.

Laura and Almanzo shared the room with each having their own bed.

The home remains as it was in 1957 with the same furnishings, dishes, and pictures. Conservation projects began in 2018 to preserve the furniture. The rose-colored armchair in the photo below was the first piece of furniture to be preserved under the Save America’s Treasures National Trust for Historical Preservation. Additional preservation projects are underway.

The rose colored chair is the first piece of furniture to be preserved

A peek at the library adjacent to the living room

A portrait of Rose hangs on the wall of the music space to the side of the living room

Museum at Rocky Ridge Farm

Our final stop was the Museum at Rocky Ridge Farm. Here is where the Ingalls and Wilder family collections are displayed. Artifacts include: The Little House on the Prairie books, Pa’s fiddle, handwritten manuscripts, keepsakes, tools, and objects Almanzo made.

Early editions of Little House on the Prairie books

Historical timeline across the top with displays of each of her books

There is also a section dedicated to the life of Rose Wilder Lane, who was a writer. Her writing career, the objects she used, and her clothes are on display.

Rose’s typewriter and displays of her books, featuring *Let the Hurricane Roar*

Samples of clothing worn by Rose Wilder Lane

City of Mansfield

Before leaving Mansfield, we stopped at the town square to take in the town where Laura, Almanzo, and Rose called home. In 1881, F.M. Mansfield, a Hartville attorney, and George H. Nettleton, a Kansas City surveyor, purchased land that would become the City of Mansfield, Missouri, “Where the Little House Books were written.”

Mansfield town square includes a tribute to Laura Ingalls Wilder

Mansfield Historical Society and Museum was closed during our visit

Wingo’s Cafe looked like the place to eat. Too bad we weren’t hungry yet.

A New Chapter sells books on the square. They weren’t open but a walk around the corner and a peek in the windows revealed a collection of books the likes of which I’ve never seen.

The Weaver Inn B&B looked like a quaint place to spend a night or two while exploring the area.

37^O North Realty and H&R Block occupy a prime location

Mexicana La Catrachita might have been a good choice for lunch too if we had been hungry

Lion’s Den Cafe listed on Google search as permanently closed

As you might have noticed from the photos, the city downtown area could use revitalization. I’m sure it’s hard to have a thriving downtown area with a population of approximately 1230 people. Wouldn’t it be nice to return in a year or two and see the stores filled with businesses?

I found the City of Mansfield’s website interesting. It has a detailed historical timeline listing dates such as when the first post office opened, or when the first school was built. Mining was an economic driver in the 1880s until the boom ended in 1920, then the dairy industry took over and remains strong. Instead of listing out the entire timeline, I’ll let readers visit the website on their own if they are interested.

Let me close out this post with quote:

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. — Laura Ingalls Wilder

Has Laura Ingalls Wilder inspired you to write the story of your heart?

Next up: Green County Botanical Center and Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Springfield, Missouri

Safe Travels

Spring 2023 Adventure Episode 3: Top of the Rock Ozark Heritage Preserve

On June 19, 2023July 2, 2023 By LToddIn Missouri, RV Travel, Travel4 Comments

The ad for a 2-1/2 mile golf cart tour piqued my curiosity with its promise of rock formations, trees, flowers, bridges, waterfalls, and views of Table Rock Lake. So, on March 17, 2023, we loaded Laura and the grandkids in the pickup and headed for Top of the Rock Ozark Heritage Preserve near Branson, Missouri.

Golf Cart Tour

Bass Pro Shops founder, Johnny Morris, created the preserve and developed Big Cedar Lodge along with five golf courses and other amenities.

Tickets are timed to limit the number of golf carts on the trail at any given time, which was good because cart parking at the pullout areas was limited. We bundled up in our jackets, put the pedals to the metal, and puttered down the trail.

Redbud blooming as winter turns to spring

Swing wide to catch the spray? Too cold.

We finished our golf cart tour and then rode the shuttle to Top of the Rock. We had lunch at Arnie’s Barn, one of several restaurants on the property. Arnie’s Barn served up some tasty Mexican-inspired cuisine. The food, along with the bird’s-eye view of the construction activity going on outside, made for a relaxing and entertaining meal.

Besides Arnie’s Bar, Top of the Rock also includes the Osage Restaurant and Buffalo Bar the museum and End of the Trail All-American Wine Cellar. This is also where the Chapel of the Ozarks, Jack’s Cabin, the Arnold Palmer Practice Facility, and pro shop are located.

Inscription: Crazy Horse, killed 1877 Defending his Country

*End of the Trail* sculpture in the infinity pool

When a sinkhole opened up in May 2015 near the golf course, Morris said, “No worries. Instead of filling it in, we’ll excavate it and create The Cathedral of Nature.” Well, maybe not those exact words. I imagine there was a bit of hand wringing and stomach churning before the engineers made their assessment. During our visit, heavy equipment roamed over the red earth, shaping and forming the land into a vision of what the Cathedral of Nature will become.

Imagine a wedding at the Chapel of the Ozarks. Inside are 23-foot ceilings, pews to accommodate up to 180 guests and a spectacular view of Table Rock Lake. A sunset wedding would be the best for capturing the “golden hour” light.

Ancient Ozarks Museum

Ancient Ozarks Museum encompasses 35,000 square foot. Exhibits showcase approximately 75,000 artifacts. The Ozarks’ history, Native American artifacts, the Wild West period, and Civil War are all featured. The photos below are a sample of the art and artifacts in the museum.

This mannequin wears a Tombstone Doc Holliday movie costume

Also included in the museum are words of wisdom attributed to Native Americans. Words of wisdom too many people have never learned, have forgotten, or just don’t care.

Guests waiting for the shuttle back to their cars

A Short History and Other Amenities at the Preserve

After Morris purchased the property in 1987, he restored two buildings built by previous owners and began building his wilderness resort. Big Cedar Lodge opened in 1988. It encompasses 4.600 acres and includes a wooded hollow. The lodge overlooks the 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake. Guests can rent rooms in the lodge, in lakeside cottages, and in private log cabins. For one of the exclusive accommodations, book a stay in Jack’s Cabin.

The resort is a golfer’s dream with five golf courses to play. Famous golfers Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods each had a hand in designing one of the five golf courses.

In addition, there are two marinas, one public and one private, that have boat rentals, ski schools, guided fishing, and boat cruises.

Conservation, the environment, and ecology are top priorities for Morris and his companies. Throughout all aspects of their operations—land management, restaurants, accommodations, or the other amenities offered to its guests—best practices are considered and incorporated in the day-to-day activities.

Our visit to Top of the Rock receives a top rating from all of us and we highly recommend the resort for a visit. We hope to come back again, maybe book an RV site, and stay awhile.

Up Next: Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri

Safe Travels

Spring 2023 Adventure Episode 2: Will Rogers Archway and Fantastic Caverns

On June 9, 2023June 8, 2023 By LToddIn Missouri, Photography, RV Travel, Travel6 Comments

We had three more days of travel before arriving in Springfield, Missouri, on March 25, 2023. Beside the landscape beyond the windshield, the most interesting thing we stopped to look at was the Will Rogers Archway in Vinita, Oklahoma.

Will Rogers Archway

The Will Rogers Archway came along just as we needed a break and a bite to eat. “The Glass House” was its original name when built in 1957.

After a renovation in 2014, it was renamed the Will Rogers Archway. Inside, travelers can enjoy a McDonald’s meal or a Subway sandwich. Or, they can select snacks from the Kum & Go convenience store.

We didn’t dally too long, though. With only 1-1/2 hours of drive time left before we arrived at our campground in Springfield, getting back on the road was our goal.

The vehicles and big rigs driving below and maneuvering in and out of the parking lots entertained us while we ate lunch.

The super short acceleration lane made it difficult to merge onto the turnpike and avoid the big rigs zooming toward us.

Fantastic Caverns

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources claims there are “approximately 7,500 recorded caves in the state,” which is probably the reason Missouri is considered the Cave State. The department’s website has a list of caves open for tours.

One such tour is Fantastic Caverns. Billboards advertising the Ride-Thru cave tours were a common sight along the freeways and roads throughout Missouri. Was this a hokey tourist trap or the real deal? We met up with our daughter and the grandkids to find out.

Jon, Maya, Laura, and Jackson pose with a cave explorer

Inside the visitor center, we found a gift shop and various displays to keep us busy while we waited for our tour to start. Once aboard, our driver/guide regaled us with the history and geology of the cave.

Credit for the cave’s discovery goes to a dog who went missing in 1862. The dog had slipped through a hole in the ground and its owner followed it, stumbling into the cave. The dog’s owner, John Knox, kept the cave a secret to protect it from the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War. The armies had seized several other caves to mine the limestone for the production of ammunition.

After the war, the Knox posted a newspaper advertisement requesting someone to explore the cave. The Springfield Women’s Athletic Club obliged and documented their presence on the cave wall on February 27, 1867.

Names of the first explorers (sorry about the fuzzy heads)

Since then, the cave has had many owners and has served as a meeting place, a speakeasy during prohibition, a concert hall, and a broadcast studio in the 1970s. The Ku Klux Klan is recorded as having been owners from 1924 to 1930.

My favorite type of cave formation are these columns that remind me of cauliflower or a fantasy forest.

At one point, our guide stopped the tram in one room. I should have taken better notes, because I don’t recall what she was showing here, but it had something to do with saltpeter or gunpowder.

The orange and black gives an eerie abstract look to this wall.

One hundred years after the cave’s discovery came the first Ride-Thru tour. The Campbell family arrived in 1966 to manage the tours and in 1992, they purchased the property that included the cave. In 2017, LED lighting replaced the early 1970s lighting system.

An ancient underground river created the usual formations common to caves: stalactites, stalagmites, columns, soda straws, flowstones, cave pearls, and draperies. Water still drips from above, a sign the formation of limestone process continues.

Baby drapery formations hang from the ceiling

This drapery formation has had a long life.

So what was the hokey verdict? Not hokey. The visitor center includes a gift shop with cave and geological themed items to purchase. And we had fun riding the tram with an informative and entertaining tour guide. We recommend Fantastic Caverns for anyone, young or old or anywhere in between, to hop aboard the tram and take a ride among the formations.

Bring a sweater or light jacket to ward off the chilly 60-degree temperature. And tall people should sit on the right side because the tram comes close to low-hanging formations on the left side.

Up Next: Top of the Rock Heritage Preserve in Branson, Missouri.

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Rocky Ridge Farm Rock House

Rocky Ridge Farm farmhouse

Museum at Rocky Ridge Farm

City of Mansfield

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