Monday

Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything. ~Charles Kuralt, On the Road With Charles Kuralt


So we headed out of town about 9:30am, I was driving (& did the entire way). There we are Bri and I in front and my dad, Susan & Ty in back. (Ty's such a con - he didn't want the middle so he had his grandma sit there.) I had mapquested the route we needed to take and the whole while I have Brian sitting at my right on his stupid little phone telling me I took the SHORTEST route and not the QUICKEST. Then I made 1 wrong turn (truth is - I didn't turn where I needed to) so I got to hear about that for a few miles. UGH! I despise driving with him, he critics everything and has a comment about anything. Our drive out to Springfield was pleasant since we took the smaller highways vs. the interstate. I personally enjoy & appreciate it. I like seeing the country side, the farms, small towns, high powered windmills. These are all things you miss out on when traveling I-70.

I think whoever designed the exits in Springfield were smoking pot! We needed exit 94. And since I already flubbed once I couldn't do it again. So with my eyes peeled I'm looking for exit 94. Ok, exit 92....exit 93.... exit 97.... wait - WTF!? Where did 94 go? Somebody decided to land it a couple of miles down the highway AFTER 97! - so if you ever travel that way - remember that.

Once we found 94 - we found our hotel - Crown Plaza. Two Thumbs up to Hotwire.com. I was afraid to use this service since they will not let you know the name and location of your hotel until after your transaction is complete (and no refunds). But I took a chance. We landed a 3.5 star hotel for $66 a night. Their regular price $144 a night. And it was plush!

We had dinner at the Cozy Dog Inn - one of Route 66's originals. We looked like tourist. Had Ty stand with the wooden corn dog cut out to get a picture took a few pictures of the building...

After eating we headed to downtown for our Springfield Walk tour. Brian drove and I was trying to give directions. Frustration lead us to park and walk to find the place we needed. A couple of blocks over we found where they sold the tickets but it was locked up tight. I couldn't believe this! I reread the brochure & it was right! Wait - what's that? Tuesday - Saturday. Damn! And it's only Monday. Oops! I apologized to everyone, I felt like a real heel. Oh well, so we raced out here for nothing. We did wander over to the Lincoln's home and neighborhood. Saw his church (where they have his family pew on display). His law office, the first court house, some statues and read some Looking for Lincoln plaques. So all wasn't lost. We just happened to do our own little tour of downtown. ; ) It was a beautiful night to walk around and enjoy everything that was to offer.

Tyler wanted ice cream. And we all know Brian squeaks when he walks! So Bri was determined to find a Sonic so we all could indulged in a 99 cent shake. I think we were only five miles south of Chicago before we found one. And they no longer had their 99 sent special - so jokes on Brian and we all got a kick out of it at his expense! We headed back to the hotel so we'd be ready for tomorrow festivities! A whole day of Lincoln!!!