Motoring down the famous Route 66 we noticed this “Spaceship” and had to stop. Jason just woke up from a nap and was not in the photogenic mood . . . yet.
We went inside an ice cream shop and noticed this poster on the wall. Too bad we were going to miss this party as I bet it is going to be wild. Yes, there must really be steel mill reopening in Illinois!
Now, after the ice cream cone, Jason, full of sugar, goofing off in front of the wavy mirrors.
Our goal for the day was Paducah, Kentucky, which is right on the border with Illinois. Paducah is very near the demographic center of the United States. It is interesting what General Clark (from the Lewis and Clark exploritory expedition) paid for the land here. On the next block was a single building that cost $3,500 to construct just a few years later.
Downtown Paducah. There was a lot of renovation in progress and this will be a great looking downtown soon. Antique shops, restaurants, brew pubs, wineries, etc.
Gotta play with the trains…
…and the statues, depicting some of the Lewis and Clark characters, which were located in a park, directly in fromt of the Illinois Quilting Museum:
We sat for a while on the bank of the river while this double barge was being pushed upstream. Pretty big piece of equipment being transported! Of course, Jason HAD to get in the water . . .
We ended the day in Springfield, the capital of Illinois, and home of the President Lincoln Museum and Presidential Library.
We tried to get into the Presidential library, but were only allowed on the first floor. The archives are off-limits unless you ae a verified researcher or academic.
The museum was fantastic, with a holographic historical production that out Disneys Disney! Cathy and I both thought the main character was real until he morphed into a Civil War character and the office he was speaking from became a Civil War battlefield! Unbelievable, we did not see that coming!
Can you find the imposter? Hint: He is wearing a Utah Valley Marathon shirt?
A set from the movie “Lincoln”, located in the rebuilt Union Station, directly across from the Lincoln Museum.
One of the many, very realistic figures in the displays within the museum.
Abraham Lincoln’s home. The entire area has been preserved. Lincoln needed a realtor though as he purchased the lot across the street for $300 and later sold half the lot for $125. hmmm
A view of the Lincoln neighborhood…
Cathy knocking on the Lincoln door but there is no one was home. The small plate on the door reads “A. Lincoln”.
A campaign wagon for one of the Lincoln campaigns.
Across the street from the museum stand the “Act of Intolerance” commemorative sculpture completed on the centennial of the brutal Springfield Race Riot of 1908. They depict the charred chimneys in the rubble of burned out buildings as depicted in a period photograph. There are numerous detailed images (in relief) on the two chimneys that reflect themes of intolerance and other images that reflect themes of redemption. Union Station is in the background.
The monument marking the final resting place of Lincoln in Oak Ridge Cemetary. You enter the tomb through the door in center of this picture, then walk down and underground to the crypt.
Jason, rubbing the nose of the Lincoln bust. Apparently this brings you good luck.
Here are a couple of shots as we walked around the marker.
Lincoln’s tomb, located deep under the monument. His three sons and his wife are interred in wall vaults in this room. The fourth son, the oldest and the one who had his mother declared insane and then committed, then subsequently destroyed/burned all family history that could have been construed to be negative, is in Arlington. ??
This is where they temporarily stored Lincoln’s casket for several months until the more secure tomb was constructed. There were several attempts to steal/expose his body while he was at this location and there were guards posted 24/7.
I guess rubbing the nose did not work. Jason stumbled and bruised himself on this signage. He is proudly displaying his “owie”.
We also visited the (Illinois) World War II memorial, the (Illinois) Korean War memorial and the (Illinois) Vietnam memorial before heading to the cemetary exit.
After leaving Oak Ridge Cemetary, we drove to the Dana-Thomas house, a Frank Lloyd Wright design. There are hundreds of original Wright-designed leaded glass windows, lamps and mirrors in the home, and the interior contains more original furniture (all designed by Wright) than can be found in any single location, anywhere (at more than 400 pieces). Even the copper gutters are ornately designed.
We then drove by the original, Route 66 “Holiday Inn”, the State Capital complex, and the original Lincoln law offices, facing the “Old State Capital” where Lincoln practiced law. We made the requisite stop for lunch (actually dinner) at the original Cozy Dog Drive-In on Route 66 before heading back to camp for a swim. Gotta have them corn dogs! Jason and Cathy went traditional with “variations” of hot dogs.
Travelling with the Schinglers 