Road Trip - Day 4

Day 4 -  January 4th, 2014 - Springfield, Illinois

It's great to be able to stay in the same hotel two nights in a row without unpacking and repacking the car! 

We spent today visiting more of the sites of this lovely city. In Mark's words, we ".... absolutely loved the Lincoln Presidential Museum!! So cleverly done! A very informative and also quite emotional experience. We were there for over 3 hours and loved every minute. Springfield is such a great place to walk and we did our fair share again today."  

The Lincoln Family - extended by 2 lads...

A reconstruction of Lincoln's boyhood log cabin, Kentucky

John Wilkes Booth

The first black American Citizens to visit the White House

Replica of the White House in Lincoln's time

The Lincoln Presidential Museum

The Oscar-winning movie, 'Lincoln', helped me to understand the importance of this man, and why he is so revered all over the world. The museum brought him to life anew and I agree with Mark - it was truly emotional at times. I think, for me, what he achieved in his lifetime has had an ongoing effect for subsequent generations, including our own. Any member of a minority group who may have experienced some kind of discrimination, can experience the hope and promise of liberation that was hard won back in his time. 

In the afternoon, we visited the tomb of Lincoln which, unfortunately, was closed for renovations. The cemetery is remarkable and the tomb itself is worthy of its occupants.

The Boulevard to the Cemetery

The Lincoln Tomb

For me, our visit to Springfield has given me a renewed respect, not only for Lincoln, himself, but for the American Dream of true democracy. These words, from the Gettysburg Address, "...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."  have taken on a new meaning for me. 

I can certainly recommend a visit to this historical town. 
==============================================

We finished off the day by going to the movies to watch 'Saving Mr. Banks', and loved the performances of Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, and Tom Hanks. It was a great story with nostalgic elements of the early 1960's when we were treated to the original movie, 'Mary Poppins'. 

Finally, we hope that the threatened storm turns out to be a false alarm so that we can make it safely to St. Louis and then Memphis tomorrow. 

Happy, Fit, and Free!