We went on an adventure to Mansfield, MO to attend the last Baker Creek Heritage Days Festival. It was a blast. I have a ton of photos, so please hang in there as I try to described everything. There was so much though, I may forget something. Please forgive me if I do.
First we traveled from Neosho, MO to Seymour to stay with a lovely lady. She allowed us to stay on her land and in her camper for the night so we could go to the festival. We brought a tent, but since the weather called for the high 50's, she graciously offered us her camper. It was very cute and had all the amenities that a home would. She really ought to consider making some money on the side through Airbnb with her little camper.
Here are the kiddos in the cabin the night before we went to the Baker Creek Heritage Days Festival.
This the view out the door of the camper.
The kids woke up refreshed and happy. They went outside and ran around a bit before the days activities started. We were so thankful for the gift of a place to stay we spruced up the cabin a tiny bit and left a little thank you note before leaving. Thank you again!
Then we went to Baker Creek. The drive was short. It's set way back in the woods. You would never imagine a worldwide seed dealer lived that far out! It only adds to the charm of Baker Creek though. My husband and I loved the country drive before getting there.
Then when you enter they have an attendant to help direct cars. We parked and set out on foot for our adventure.
Birds along the walkway.
As you come up the gravel path on the left are fences with various birds in them. There were chickens, peacocks, and others. My children stopped every few feet to talk to the animals. It was very much like stepping into a farmer's animal yard, but without the farmyard smell. :)
These are the peacocks. They wouldn't open their tail feathers for us, but they are still beautiful.
The first building you see on your right is the "Jail house". My son, by this point, complained his feet hurt very bad and begged us to go barefoot. We said fine, just until someone told us he couldn't. We felt sorry for the little guy. My sons loved the jailhouse and joked about putting each other inside of the cell.
My boys in the jail house at Baker Creek Heritage Days Festival.
When I lived with my Amish parents, this was our sink. I want to get one of these for my own house. I thought it was so neat to see if displayed here.
The chains on the wall were a nice decorative touch.
Another very neat item in the jail house is this old record player. My kids had no idea what it was and why I was so thrilled. I had to explain it plays music. They wanted to play the music, but I felt it was more of a museum piece so didn't allow them to use it.
We didn't come with a lot of money because most of it was spent on going to the doctor. I was afraid we wouldn't be able to enjoy the festival without a lot of cash. I was so surprised to find, even though I had may be 20 bucks I could use, I didn't need more than that. Of course, your milage may vary. We didn't buy a whole bunch of stuff.
Next to the jail was a little barn type place and a man with toys from yesteryear. Most of the toys looked homemade. All of the toys I had played with as a child and was excited to see them. They had a climbing bear, a flip game, a driving the wheel game, and some others. Lucy enjoyed the flip game and hoops and sticks.
Lucy playing the flip game made with two tuna fish cans and a bean bag.
Here Lucy is trying to play the hoops and sticks game, which used to be used as a sort of courtship time.
The gentleman in charge spent time explaining every game to all the children. This eventually became the hottest spot for kids at Baker Creek as they all wanted to play. That and they had cake walks every hour. Again, we learned the history of cakewalks. Lucy loved the cakewalks since she was familiar with them from church.
Here's my son playing with some other children.
One other very neat thing about the barn part was that it housed a covered wagon. I haven't seen one of these since I was five or six so it was extremely neat to me.
The covered wagon I fell in love with at Baker Creek Heritage Days Festival.
As we mosied on down the path, on the right was a blacksmith's hut. He was hard at work making a decorative rose candle holder. My eldest son was very excited to see a real live working black smith in action. He decided right then and there he wanted to be a blacksmith.
The blacksmith at work.
The blacksmith talking to my son about being a blacksmith.
After that we continued along the path. My daughter stole my phone as I went into the apothecary shop. Aluciana took these pictures of a small little spot I passed on my way to the apothecary.
My husband and son looking over the bridge. Yes, he is still barefoot and no one said a thing to him about it.
This was below the bridge. An explosive rainbow of color in fish! So beautiful. Thank you Lucy for taking these pictures.
Meanwhile in the apothecary, I was busy smelling teas that cost just 10 cents per tea bag. Yes, I bagged up a few and headed to the seed store to pay for them. On the way there, I noticed they had a restaurant and a beautiful garden. My children and husband caught up with me at the garden. The gardens were so beautiful, let me just let the pictures explain They will do a much better job than me.
The gardens are beautiful!
This is a good shot of how it is laid out.
Lovely reds!
More of the gardens.
My daughter and husband behind some lovely flowers.
Gorgeous!
*P.S. If you don't like a lot of photos of plants, just scroll. I have tons.
I want to grow these in my garden next year!
So delicate looking!
These were very beautiful. I love the colors!
Mustard greens, growing in October!
What a lovely collection!
Hibiscus! I need to row this as the calyxes make a lovely tea.
At the center of the gardens is this fountain with koi in it. It was locally sculpted and put in place. It is a very nice spot to relax.
My boys loved it. :) Yup, he's still barefoot.
The view of the gardens from the seed store.
Inside the seed store there are a million things to look at. Of course there were seeds available for purchase everywhere. However, they also had a woman spinning in the store. She educated my children about the history of the work women did, not just spinning, and how women didn't have a whole lot of freedom many years ago. My sons really appreciated that.
There was a theater inside where you could watch a little skit. They had a checkers table that many guests were using. There you could also purchase garden implements, prairie hats, books, and so much more. I paid for my tea bags and a honey stick. I am a sucker for sweets what can I say.
After that we went over to the Baker Creek Restaurant. As we waited in line, I heard my son behind me say, "Hey, you have bare footsies like me!" I turned around and there was Jere Gettle, in overalls, a pink shirt, and bare feet, just like my son. Jere smiled and said, "Yeah, it's better to be barefoot." I smiled and ushered my son to our table. I didn't want him to bother Jere while he was getting lunch.
Our waitress was kind and invited us to get our canning jar drinking glasses and cold water from the fountain. There was just one dish on the menu and a kid or adult size to choose from. Today's dish was pumpkin bisque, with a spring roll, and basmati rice. Dessert would be pumpkin spice ice cream.
To die for!
We all enjoyed our meal. I was watching our host and his family dine about two tables away. Several times patrons came up to ask questions, for photos, and to talk while he ate with his family. Each time he and his wife were patient and showed no irritation what so ever. I could not have been so kind. My husband and I enjoyed our meal.
At the end, when we wanted to pay, we were directed to a donation box. I handed my husband his wallet and he donated what he felt was fair. I will say it took most of our $20. It was worth it though. After that, we headed out towards the entrance, but we just couldn't go yet.
We came across some musicians and their music was delightful. We must have sat listening to their tunes for at least a half hour.
We must have sat listening for half an hour!
My sons, for some reason, even though they ate not an hour ago, we're still hungry. There was a gentleman that had beans for the price of a donation. The remainder of our money went to this gentleman for the boys to get some beans and cornbread. After they ate, Illyan wanted to stir the beans.
He loved helping stir the beans. Yes, he is still barefoot and very happy.
We loved so much about our visit. There was much more, like the bakery and their sweet samples, the tour we took, and the gourd tunnel...but I have to leave something for your family to explore!
Just go...you won't regret it!
