Friday, August 28, 2009

The Daniel Boone Home

I have included the link above in case you want to visit the site. Originally it was because of a school assignment our son had in the 6th grade but has now turned into a tradition in our family. When we lived in St. Louis it began and now that we have moved away, we still go back each year. There is a plot of land south of St. Louis that has restored the original Daniel Boone Home and many buildings of the same time period.

Open all year but between Thanksgiving and Christmas each year it is transposed into a scene full of the sights, scents and sounds of America in the days of Daniel Boone. At night the landscape is lit by thousands of candles and oil lanterns. Candles line the walkways that lead you into Boone's world. There is always the warmth of a fire to sit around and listen to the fife and drums, violin or they would say fiddle and gaze above at the open crystal clear skies of a Midwest...a Midwest where the humidity of Summer has passed...turning on a multitude of stars. The ever present smell of wood burning stoves and fireplaces fills the air along with handmade soaps and candles.

The final treat of the night is to visit the Boone Home, candle lit and warm. Outside, the temperature often in the teens...inside the thick stone walls brings a comfort and welcome respite from the approach of winter. The last part of the tour through the home takes you to the basement where the original kitchen served as the lifeblood of the pioneer family. A table is set just as it was in Daniel's day. A large kettle, steaming and filling the air with spiced cider and a plate of cinnamon cookies gives the visitor the taste of traditions......

Driving home, entering the lights and traffic of St. Louis late on a December night is always easier after our annual vist to the Boone home.

18 comments:

Sunny said...

It sounds like a lovely place to visit. Your picture is very inviting.
Sunny :)

Heather said...

Very cool - I love visiting places like this and seeing how people before us lived. Such different way of life in some aspects. Sunny is right - your picture is very inviting.

septembermom said...

I would love to pass some time there! Soothing picture. It's great to find comforting spots to rest and reflect on our journey.

Lesley said...

beautiful warm light and atmosphere in you photo,looks a really interesting place to visit

DawnTreader said...

Very inviting photo! But I have to confess, not being American, I had no idea who Daniel Boone was! Wikipedia proved helpful as usual, though...

Unknown said...

Dan, I believe you have a typo that totally changes what you meant here. On the second line, I think NOT should be NOW? Please delete this after you see it.

Unknown said...

You not only have some great photos, you have some wonderful traditions in your family. Thanks for sharing them with us.

I've been reading up on DHR. I have never used the bracketing function on my camera but I'm about to begin.

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Sunny...It is a great way to begin the Christmas Season.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Heather...have a great weekend!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...we all need those places and times to drop back and think about where we fit in to this frenzy sometimes...I agree.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

HazyDaisy...thank you for the comment. You can Google Daniel Boone to find out who he was if you don't know. I only say that since you are across the "pond".

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Dawn Treader...Oops...I forgot that you wouldn't know...I also mentioned that to Hazy Daisy!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Faye...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CATCHING THAT!!! I made the change...you are right...one letter changed the whole concept!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Faye ...go for it! It will become addicting for you! Next week I will point you to some good resources for HDR.

Dan

DawnTreader said...

Dan, learning things I didn't already know is half the fun of the internet...

Heather said...

The warmth in the photo alone welcomes me to rest at this table, maybe with a cup of some warm cider :) mmmmm....

Thank you, Dan.

Dan Felstead said...

Dawn Treader...when you get a chance...tell me about a Daniel Boone type from Swedish history.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Heather....have you had spiced cider before? It is awesome!

Dan