We may earn money from the companies or products mentioned in this post.
For families on a budget, the best kind of summer vacation involves day trips to get to know their home state better. I received comped tickets to The Limberlost State Historic Site. All opinions are my own.
Check out these other places to visit in Indiana.
In an effort to be better at budgeting, and pay off some debt, we decided this summer vacation we’d stick close to home. With day trips around the state, I wanted to really get to know Indiana. The past, the present, and the future. For our first family day trip, we headed to The Limberlost and the home of Gene Stratton-Porter in Geneva, Indiana. At $6/adult and $3/child, it’s truly an affordable visit for large families like ours.
I recalled A Girl of the Limberlost as one of my mom’s favorite books so wanted to get a closer look at the author’s life, and the swamp that inspired her stories. I hoped it would lead to my kids enjoying our story time better, and give something they could talk to their Nana about.
Geneva, Indiana is a classic small town. Out in the middle of nowhere, with little cell service, it’s not a place you’ll just happen upon. It is, however, worth the drive out if you enjoy learning about authors, nature, and getting a dose of history.
The first thing I noticed as we pulled into the parking lot was the interesting rock wall fence. It seemed a bit haphazard, and possibly falling apart, with gaps between every stone. During the tour, we found out that Gene purposefully had the wall built this way so that creatures such as bunny rabbits, could easily cross her lawn. Coming and going as they please. We understood the delight Gene must have found watching these animals as we saw our first black squirrel scurrying around the yard, in and out of the rock wall, and up a tree.
As we toured inside the house, the kids loved getting to know this author and her love of nature in the Limberlost. From the stuffed birds that were a part of Gene’s and her daughters’ life, to the music they made together – our tour inside was made enjoyable and exciting by our knowledgeable guide. We sat around a replica of her dining room table as the guide read a passage from A Girl of the Limberlost that described that very room. Suddenly, the book had come alive for all of us.
I’ve never seen my children pay more attention to a tour then they did this one. Could it be because we had already begun reading A Girl of the Limberlost? Or perhaps our guide’s excitement was that contagious. Either way, we had a lot of fun learning about Gene’s life in Geneva.
The kids and Mark all loved taking a turn playing the pump organ (not Gene’s original) in the music room, and all of us enjoyed sitting on the back porch learning how Gene would collect cocoons then string them up near her bed so she wouldn’t miss the butterflies and moths as they emerged.
Any good trip ends with a visit to the gift shop. We got to see the largest moth hanging out in a butterfly habitat (I definitely should have written the name down…), tried to open a real bank safe that belonged to Gene’s husband, and enjoyed some other cool facts about the Limberlost.
Finally, we couldn’t leave without purchasing the Limberlost series. I’d been trying to read A Girl of the Limberlost on my phone to the kids, but it just wasn’t holding our attention that way. With fantastic prices, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. After a week of reading from the physical book, and the visit to the Limberlost fresh in our minds, story time got 100% more exciting with this purchase. I might have a slight book problem when it comes to things like this…but it’s all in the name of learning!
I love A Girl of the Limberlost. I have the copy my Grammy gave me when I was an 8 year old little girl and I am almost 50 now.
I love A Girl of the Limberlost. I have the copy my Grammy gave me when I was an 8 year old little girl and I am almost 50 now. snorkeling myrtle beach
I love A Girl of the Limberlost. I have the copy my Grammy gave me when I was an 8 year old little girl and I am almost 50 now. travel agency morocco
I love A Girl of the Limberlost. I have the copy my Grammy gave me when I was an 8 year old little girl and I am almost 50 now. Peru Reiseblog
I love A Girl of the Limberlost. I have the copy my Grammy gave me when I was an 8 year old little girl and I am almost 50 now. Galapagos Tipps
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home. There are so many different ways to travel, and no two trips are the same. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an adventure, there is a place for you on the world map.European honeymoon destination
Hi, Certainly, taking care of yourself while traveling is crucial to ensure that you can fully enjoy your trip. Traveling can be both physically and mentally exhausting, so it’s important to take steps to maintain your well-being throughout your journey.
By prioritizing self-care while traveling, you can prevent or minimize the risk of physical ailments such as fatigue, dehydration, and jet lag. Additionally, practicing self-care can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and other negative emotional states that can arise during travel.Advantage Of Screen Printing
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home. Egypt tours
Travel is one of the most fulfilling experiences a person can have. It allows you to see new places and meet new people, both of which can enrich your life in ways you never imagined. With so many great places to visit, there’s no reason not to take the plunge and explore the world. Angkor Thom tour
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home south padre island snorkeling
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home Rio de Janeiro Sehenswürdigkeiten
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home Cartagena Sehenswürdigkeiten
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home rhodes airport to pefkos
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home. tour uyuni 3 días desde san pedro ida y vuelta
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home. morocco tours
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home Luxury Maldives Holidays
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home Mauritius Holiday
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home Mexiko-Stadt Sehenswürdigkeiten
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home hotels hammamet
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home helicopter tour in Mexico
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home Atv quad bike bali
Travel is one of the most rewarding things you can do in life. It can open your eyes to new cultures and experiences, and it can be a source of great joy. Exclusive Cuban Hotels
Hi, Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It gives you a new perspective on the world and allows you to see things that you would never be able to see at home holiday in Europe
Hi,
Travel fosters a sense of wonder and discovery, rekindling the childlike curiosity that can often fade with age. It encourages exploration of ancient ruins, majestic castles, and modern architectural marvels. It prompts us to marvel at the ingenuity of humankind and the enduring legacy of history.k-eta
Hi,
Travel fosters a sense of wonder and discovery, rekindling the childlike curiosity that can often fade with age. It encourages exploration of ancient ruins, majestic castles, and modern architectural marvels. It prompts us to marvel at the ingenuity of humankind and the enduring legacy of history.Rhodes Airport Transfer