We had an afternoon to fill while we were in Cedar City, UT for a working trip for my husband.  While he was in meetings the girls and I decided to check out the Frontier Homestead State Park.  You can't always know ahead of time whether these places will be bust or boom but this one was definitely a hit. 

First stop was a station explaining the route west and the specifics about what could be taken along.  There were weight limits on the stage coaches. The girls had to fill a model wagon with what they felt were the best items.  

This little experiment should illustrate to all who it is you want packing your wagon.  Tess, ever practical, read all the explanatory signs and tallied up the crate weights.  She stuffed her wagon with flour, shotgun powder, vinegar/antiseptics, and tent supplies.  Abbie Rose assessed her options and loaded books, sugar, heirloom linens, and china which of course I could not fault her on. Priorities, people! : ) 

Next they tried their hands at washing clothes with plunger and washboard.  Tess LOVED this.  She insisted this was not work. She went so far as to suggest we try this at home.  thanksnothanks 

They tried on stripes and sat in lock up.  

We visited an old schoolroom and tried to decode the Deseret alphabet which was a bit of history news for me.  There's a reason that didn't catch on but hey, here's your fun fact of the day. If you want to give it a virtual whirl you can use this translator.

Picture me, trying to explain why people thought this was a good idea. See her totally not buying it, but also humoring me with an appropriate face for my theme picture?  Bless her heart.  When we got home I looked up the history of dunce caps, being the rabbit trailer homeschooler I am. This is actually a really fascinating story.  

Then we ventured into a native American  dwelling and they tried grinding grain into flour.  While they were game for laundering outdoors the whole corn-grinding-with-a-rock thing did not go over well.  Like, Tess was pretty sure that certain death by starvation would soon follow if this was the only option, especially when she figured out how long it would take to grind enough for our family.  

There is a lovely old farmhouse on the grounds complete with period furnishings.  I have loved touring Victorians like these since I was the girls' age.  Always, always I want to unpack and settle in. 

Settling in wasn't an option but a very nice lady tourist offered to take a picture of us on the velvet sofa.  That helped. : ) 

We wrapped up with a game of horseshoes.  Before we knew it the afternoon had slipped by and we headed out to get Dad.  The park was so well done and I am so glad we found it.