Fall, 1888

Helen and her family spend time at Fern Quarry, the Keller's cottage about 12 miles from Tuscumbia.  There she rides a pony named Black Beauty, goes to barbeques and takes hikes in the woods with Anne and her sister Mildred.  On one hike, they got lost and ended up crossing a railway trestle to get home.  A train came while they were in the middle of the trestle, and they had to climb over the side and hang on until the train had passed.

Winter, 1888-1889

Helen spends the winter in New England, and gets to experience snowstorms and icy cold.  The experience sticks with her, and inspires her to write a story several years later.
 

Perkins Institute: Helen's First School

Fall, 1889

After visiting the Perkins Institute in the spring of 1888, Anne and Helen return to the Perkins Institute in the fall of 1889, where Helen is considered a “guest” student of the school.