For the last nine days are family got to experience one of our very favorite traditions. Our “State” this year was Kentucky and we fell in love with this beautiful state. It was nine days of family togetherness and I love my people so very much and am so grateful for the memories that we made.
Day 1 of our trip didn’t involve Kentucky at all! We had an early wake up call and left our home at 4:00 AM to begin our trek east. Lydia shocked us all and actually slept for several hours – the others didn’t (but we weren’t surprised there). The sunrise was pretty spectacular.
Nebraska
I loved our drive through Nebraska. It was just cornfield on top of cornfield. It was beautiful. We also loved the “friendly” names of the towns – like “Friend” and “Pleasant Hill”.
Homestead National Historical Park
Our first stop of the trip was in Nebraska at the Homestead National Historical Park!
This park was fascinating and we all learned so much (and it was a welcome way to stretch our legs!). I gained a greater understanding and respect for the men and women who settled our wonderful country.
Freeman School
Our first stop at the park was at the Freeman School. I love vising old schoolhouses. We learned that this school was the community center for 95 years for the homesteaders in this area – from 1872 to 1967. I love imagining not only the learning, but the gatherings that happened here, that brought the community together.
Education was essential to the homesteaders. Many of the homesteaders were immigrants, ex-slaves, and women and they believed the educating of their children was the key to them achieving the “American Dream”.
Education Center
After the Freeman School we drove up to the Education Center. They had a beautiful art gallery and I loved this painting called “Home School”. It was the original homeschool and it made me smile.
Heritage Center
The Heritage Center was fascinating.
We learned about one of the first homesteaders, Daniel Freeman, who settled on this land in 1863. But the Homestead Act was ENORMOUS and changed so many people’s lives. The program lasted for 123 years. One out of every three Americans is a descendent of a homestead family. I loved this quote from President Gerald R. Ford:
“I think all of us recognize that America’s future depends upon America’s farmers. Our national heritage was created by farmers… Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, which embodied our fundamental belief in the importance of the family farm. Lincoln was so right. Thomas Jefferson, George Washington had shared the same vision. They were convinced that a man with a stake in his own land is a free man. His family is a free family, and together the family farm is the basis of our free society.”
These homesteads were so much more than just a piece of dirt. There was a lot of pride in their homesteads and in the communities they built. They felt achievement in having land to pass on to their children.
Upland Prairie Loop Trail
Right when we started our short trail, a storm rolled in. We had to walk through really quick, but this land has a wild beauty I fell in love with. The bugs were so loud here. It was also amazing to learn how deep the roots went – clearing these fields was not for the faint of heart.
Palmer-Epard Cabin
This cabin is on the grounds and was built in 1867 by George W Palmer. This was considered luxurious in size being 14×16 feet. There was a family of ten children that lived in this home. I admire their life of simplicity.
Missouri
After we left Homestead, we continued our trek east. We passed into Missouri and the beauty continued. We kept having our corn fields but with the added bonus of some dense wooded areas. Our world is incredible.
I think Lydie’s favorite part of the whole day (and maybe every day of our trip) was her nightly baths. She always enjoys bath time, but she was so happy to have her “time” at night.
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