The weather did cool off in Tulsa prior to our leaving on Tuesday morning, bring much needed relief to the area and us. However, our stay there was about organizing and meeting up with the Rutherford's. While there, we did take advantage of a wonderful farmer's market. We cooked fresh eggplant, greenbeans, zuchini, tomatoes, it was all wonderful.
The drive northeast to Missouri was blessedly uneventful in terms of road conditions, weather (even a smattering of rain!) and ease of driving. We stopped in Dixon at a very out-of-the-way spot on the Glasconade River. We enjoyed the peace and quiet of this country setting, even took a dip in the river, heavenly. The river is spring fed, a bubbling 42 gallons a minute. Hunter was our local guide, a friendly 5th grader who was also escaping the heat in the river.
Our next travel day took us through St. Louis (why didn't we plan a stop here?) to Illionois. Driving northeast on I55 the major landscape feature is CORN! It is indeed King here, rising at least 6ft, going on for miles. We are camped just south of Springfield at the Double J, a wonderful park. We spent yesterday in downtown hoping to see a bit of the Lincoln sites. We were all amazed at the show that Springfield puts on!
A Civil War "Vet" led the tour of the Old State Capital where we met President and Mrs. Grant. He spoke about growing up in Ohio, the son of a successful tanner. Grant lived in Illinois at the start of the Civil War and worked at the State House. We walked to Lincoln's home and neighborhood. The National Park Service manages this area. There is an interesting display about the process of excavation in one home. The Lincoln home is wonderful, especially since Abe himself arrived during our tour. He talked to folks and led a parade to the depot for his trip to Washington as the president. We heard his farewell speech and then a "press conference" a week after Bull Run.
There is so much going in to make history alive you could spend several days in this small downtown and still not see it all. We head back today for a walking tour of the Lincoln neighborhood and a visit to the museum. I expect them to be wonderful, and then I think we will be ready to say so long to the Land of Lincoln.
The drive northeast to Missouri was blessedly uneventful in terms of road conditions, weather (even a smattering of rain!) and ease of driving. We stopped in Dixon at a very out-of-the-way spot on the Glasconade River. We enjoyed the peace and quiet of this country setting, even took a dip in the river, heavenly. The river is spring fed, a bubbling 42 gallons a minute. Hunter was our local guide, a friendly 5th grader who was also escaping the heat in the river.
Our next travel day took us through St. Louis (why didn't we plan a stop here?) to Illionois. Driving northeast on I55 the major landscape feature is CORN! It is indeed King here, rising at least 6ft, going on for miles. We are camped just south of Springfield at the Double J, a wonderful park. We spent yesterday in downtown hoping to see a bit of the Lincoln sites. We were all amazed at the show that Springfield puts on!
A Civil War "Vet" led the tour of the Old State Capital where we met President and Mrs. Grant. He spoke about growing up in Ohio, the son of a successful tanner. Grant lived in Illinois at the start of the Civil War and worked at the State House. We walked to Lincoln's home and neighborhood. The National Park Service manages this area. There is an interesting display about the process of excavation in one home. The Lincoln home is wonderful, especially since Abe himself arrived during our tour. He talked to folks and led a parade to the depot for his trip to Washington as the president. We heard his farewell speech and then a "press conference" a week after Bull Run.
There is so much going in to make history alive you could spend several days in this small downtown and still not see it all. We head back today for a walking tour of the Lincoln neighborhood and a visit to the museum. I expect them to be wonderful, and then I think we will be ready to say so long to the Land of Lincoln.
PICTURE: Abe leaving his home for Washington. The hat sits on the desk occupied by Lincoln while in state legislature, now occupied by ME while listening to Pres. Grant.
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