Laura Ingalls Wilder Trip June 25, 2011 Brookings, S.D. to Coffeyville, Kansas

Laura Ingalls Wilder Trip Saturday, June 25, 2011  

Today was a travel day as we left Brookings, South Dakota and made the trek all the way to Independence, Kansas. Normally, it would take about nine hours but there has been severe widespread flooding around Omaha and throughout much of the states so we are taking a variety of detours. 

"The Farmer's Kitchen" Atlantic, Iowa (I'm just saying that if I showed you
a piece of pie they served here, you'd all be making a trip right here!

Independence, Kansas is where the Ingalls Family moved (by wagon) when they left Pepin, Wisconsin the first time. Pa built a house but in less than a year, the family had to move because they had accidentally settled on Indian Territory along with many other settlers. The family moved BACK to Pepin (530 miles by wagon again).

Along the way, we saw “RVs larger than the ‘claim shanty’ Pa built back in DeSmet”, said Debbie, as we drove endlessly on the Interstate. After four hours os so, we hunted down an authentic Midwest dinner and found “The Farmer’s Kitchen” in Atlantic, Iowa. The open, two-room restaurant was teeming with local people. Cynthia ordered a ‘pulled pork sandwich” and preferred it to the one from yesterday because today’s was made with Coca Cola (Atlantic is a Coca Cola capital). Debbie ordered the “Philly Cheese Steak” made with pork. Kathy had the “Pork Lip Salad” with Lipstick Sauce (I’m not going there). Karen ordered the award-winning chili (yum!). And then, there was pie... Now, you might think we’d be full after all we had to eat. Oh, no, this place was noted for their specialty pies. As Cynthia said, “There is no way I’m leaving a place like this in Iowa without a piece of pie either on my plate or in my purse.’ 

We finally arrived in Coffeyville around 8:00 pm. Went for dinner and did some laundry. We are looking forward to visiting Independence, Kansas tomorrow.