I've been in Illinois for a couple of days now. I made the decision to skip Chicago on the recomendation of my friend Echo, who had recently traveled there and shared horror stories about the traffic. Also, most major roads leading into the city carry tolls and I spent the morning avoiding toll roads, so why start then. As to why I was avoiding toll roads, it was just something to do — sometimes I just need little games to give me something to do. Frankly, Illinois got nothing out of this Oregonian to pay for roads. Take that Illinois.
Anyway, I don't feel too bad about missing Chicago, as I feel like some time in the future it's a place Ellyn and I will visit together. Plus, no driving stress.
I camped out last night, without much adventure. I did manage to build one of the best fires yet with half-burnt wood I collected from other vacant sites. I pride myself on that because it was free and it entertained me for a good portion of the evening. Seeing the country isn't all excitement and adventure, you know.
Today, I drove down to Springfield, the home of the Lincoln Library, as well as his final resting place. I followed signs to his tomb, which sits in the middle of a large cemetery. I visited with the former president for a while, it was a somber experience.
Tomorrow, I'm up early to wander through the Lincoln Library and Museum. The excitement inside me can only be known to those who spent four years reading his speeches over and over again. That is to say, it's a very nerdy excitement. A very, very nerdy excitement.
If I remember correctly, Lincoln’s body was stolen from it’s burial site at one point in time, or at least someone attempted to steal it. I can’t recall at this moment.