When my husband asked what I wanted for my birthday this year, I answered without hesitation—I want to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder House. Birthday #60 calls for something memorable, don’t you think? The Laura Ingalls Wilder House has been at the top of my bucket list since we moved to Northwest Arkansas and I learned how close the property is to us.

Fayetteville, Arkansas to Mansfield, Missouri is only 167 miles!

(Riddle me this people—how it is possible I spent my growing-up years on a farm in northeast Arkansas only 219 miles from where Laura Ingalls lived out her life, yet I had no earthly idea…??? 😳)

Since my July birthday comes during a miserably hot time, we waited for the weather to cool and road-tripped to Mansfield weekend before last. September is an ideal time to travel because once kids have returned to school typical summer crowds have dissipated. While the afternoons may still be warm, cooler mornings and shorter daylight hours make many things like walking and breathing and porch-sitting doable. Pleasant even.

I’m so glad we waited; the weather = perfect!

Also, just a reminder, you can celebrate a birthday anytime during the year.Continue Reading