Springfield

Last week we crossed off something from our bucket list.  We went to the Lincoln Museum and Presidential Library in Springfield, IL.

This is the only home that Abe and Mary Lincoln ever owned.  They lived in it for 17 years.  A two block section is preserved so you get a real feel of the neighborhood they lived in.

 We also visited the tomb where they are buried.  It is customary to rub Lincoln's nose.  As you can see, his nose is pretty shiny!

This is a shot of the outside of his tomb.  It is very impressive.

The headstone of where he is buried.  

 This is a the presidential family when they were in the White House.  They had already lost one of their four sons at this time.

This statue is amazing and Abe/s hat is actually taller than the building entrance.  This is the entrance to the museum.

A bonus in Springfield is the Dana-Thomas House.  One of the largest home ever designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright.  It is breathtaking and worth touring.

Of course, since we were so close we decided to stop in Le Claire IA. to check out Antique Archaeology.  We were disappointed, it seems to be mostly a souvenir shop for expensive t-shirts and key chains!  But I do have to say the little town of Le Claire was delightful.  Very clean and pretty.

PDC

THANKS MIKEY FOR A GREAT VISIT TO PRAIRIE DU CHEIN !!! THE STEAKS AND COMPANY WERE FANTASTIC !!!

OF COURSE WE DID WHAT WE DO BEST WITH MIKEY AND ENJOYED A ROADTRIP THAT RAN SOUTH FROM PRAIRIE ON THE WISCONSIN SIDE OF THE RIVER.

WYALUSING STATE PARK, BAGLEY, CASSVILLE, AND PATCH GROVE WERE JUST A FEW OF THE STOPS.

   "SUNNY & 80"

THE HOLY LAND

THIS WEEK MARY AND I MADE A PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND:

YUP, LAMBEAU FIELD IN GREEN BAY.

WE EVEN SAW RODGERS AND THE TEAM WORKING OUT ON THE PRACTICE FIELD, WHICH IS CALLED RAY NITSCHKE FIELD.

WE MET UP WITH OUR DRINKING BUDDIES MARK & JAYNE FROM DES MOINES.

NEXT WEEK ON THE AGENDA, IT'S TIME TO CHECK-IN ON MIKEY IN PDC.

   "SUNNY & 77"

CANYON CAMP

CHASING CHILDHOOD MEMORIES TAKES US BACK TO STOCKTON, ILLINOIS AND CANYON CAMP.  I SPENT ALL MY TEEN YEARS ON SUMMER STAFF AT CANYON CAMP BSA.

WE ENJOYED THE VISIT HIKING FROM ONE END OF THE CAMP TO THE OTHER CHECKING OUT ALL THE CHANGES, RENOVATIONS, AND ADDITIONS.  WE HAD DINNER IN THE MESS HALL AND STAYED FOR THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT CAMPFIRE AND INDIAN DANCING. IT SURE BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF OLD EAGLE SCOUT MEMORIES.

 THE SPIRIT OF CANYON CAMP GOES BACK TO 1936 AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT INTO WORDS, BUT AS AN EXAMPLE, AS THE STAFF RAN FOUR SERVINGS LINES FOR DINNER THEY WERE ALL SINGING CAMP SONGS WITH ENTHUSIASM.

STOCKTON, ILLINOIS WAS HOME, AND HAS SURE CHANGED IN 52 YEARS.

  "SUNNY & 82"

SPOONER RODEO

HERE WE ARE AT THE 66TH ANNUAL SPOONER RODEO IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN. LAST WEEK WE MOVED INTO THE GUEST HOUSE ON CABLE LAKE FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME.

MY DATE FOR THE RODEO PARADE, AND FUTURE RODEO QUEEN (2037), IS ANDER.

MY BROTHERS, UNCLE NEIL AND UNCLE HANS, PULLED OUT "TWO GUYS AND A BANNER" AND MARCHED IN THE PARADE.

   
I WAS ON THE SUPPORT CREW, WHICH AMOUNTED TO HOLDING DOWN A BAR STOOL AT THE WOBBLING DUCK.

A RARE TREAT TO HAVE ALL THREE BROTHERS TOGETHER AND WE ENJOYED THE PARADE, RODEO, AND TOUR OF UNCLE NEIL'S NEW RETIREMENT HOME IN TOMAHAWK, WI.

RENEE AND AUNT KATHY:

NEXT UP ON OUR WISCONSIN ROAD TRIP IS CHASING A CHILDHOOD MEMORY WITH A VISIT TO CANYON CAMP WHERE I SPENT ALL MY TEEN YEARS ON STAFF.

    "SUNNY AND 84"