A Day in Springfield

Well I made it to Springfield last night and I spent my morning at the laundromat (I packed light knowing that I would have to do laundry at some point) before being able to enjoy the city. After a couple of hours doing laundry I returned to the hotel and packed the clothes and gathered my things for the day. I then went for a walk. My hotel was just a block from the Capitol and I decided to walk there first. I walked around the outside and took pictures and really enjoyed the grounds. I really liked the fountains they have on either side of the front of the building. I then went for inside and did a self guided tour. This Capitol is incredible - very beautiful. The dome is made of 9000 pieces of stained glass and is a representation of the state seal. There are also beautiful murals all over the building. I also enjoyed the Senate and House Chambers - the chandeliers alone made the place. I think I could buy a home for the cost of one of the chandeliers. The Illinois Capitol is ranking up there with my favorites and I thoroughly enjoyed walking around this place.

From the Capitol I walked down 2nd St. to Adams St. (which is where my hotel is) and then walked down Adams St. to 5th St. headed to the area where the Lincoln Presidential Library is located. Along the way I noticed some signs along the street. The first ones I found are on Adams St. between 4th and 5th streets. On these signs there is information about Lincoln and there are these medallions that you can do a rubbing of (like gravestone rubbings). Unfortunately I didn't have anything to do a rubbing but reading the signs was interesting. They were located all around Springfield but mostly congregated around the Lincoln Library and Museum and the Old State Capitol. These signs are the Looking for Lincoln Story Trail. I probably could have spent all day reading these and making rubbings. From Adams St. I turned and walked down 5th St. to the Old State Capitol. Once in this area I ended up spending a couple of hours. There is so much there. I just walked and looked at things, I didn't have time to go into any of the places because there was so much I wanted to do. So I passed by but didn't enter the following places . . . Korean War Museum, Old State Capitol, National Museum of Surveying, Union Station Visitors Center, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Lincoln-Herndon Law Office and First Presbyterian Church (you can view the Lincoln Family Pew). It was time to move on so I walked back to the hotel to get my car and continue with my day.

My next stop of the day was Oak Ridge Cemetery to visit Lincoln's Tomb. This is an impressive place. The monument is enormous which is justified when you think of the man who lies beneath it. And the reverent feeling you get just walking up to the monument is unbelievable. So I walked around and took pictures, read all the signs and plaques, sat & relaxed and of course rubbed Lincoln's nose. Then I went inside. You can walk around the inside where there are statues in the hallways that lead to and from the actual tombs. At the back is a large marble stone that marks Lincoln's tomb (he actually lies two feet behind and 10 feet under the marble marker). After visiting the tomb I left to explore the rest of the cemetery and do a little letterboxing. I found The Real Lincoln, Lincoln Illinois Lawyer and Sands of Iwo Jima. Looking for these boxes gave me a great tour of the cemetery and I got to visit the Illinois Veterans' War Memorials which were really well done. From Oak Ridge Cemetery I went to Calvary Cemetery to look for the State Fair Letterbox (this is a series of six boxes). I followed the clues and found a spot to park to begin my search. The clues took me along a forest line in the back of the cemetery. I enjoyed the walk in the cemetery and finding these boxes. Next I went to Lincoln Park just across the street from the cemetery. I looked for Abraham Lincoln 1865 and To the Pointe Skater. I didn't find the Abraham Lincoln box and I am pretty sure I was in the right place - the clues were pretty clear but there was no box there. I still enjoyed the park especially the bridge and pond near where the boxes were hidden.

It was late afternoon by now and I debated about going to one more park and looking for a series of boxes or going back to the hotel and getting ready for the next day. I decided on letterboxing. So I made my way to Dreamland Park. I walked this path that goes around the perimeter of the park and found the boxes for Dreamland Wildlife. This was a quick and easy walk and finding the boxes was pretty easy as well. After I found the last box I headed back to the hotel to shower and get things ready for tomorrow when I head to Columbus.