Day 13 -- Lincoln, diners, and babies (well, one baby)

We are in Chicago! We arrived about 5:00 after driving from Springfield. Springfield was the home of Abraham Lincoln, and there is a wonderful Lincoln museum in the city. Very informative exhibits, and a realistic depiction of the devastation of the Civil War. It was interesting that Lincoln was apparently loved or hated. The political cartoons of the day were scathing. We also went to Lincoln’s tomb, a great big obelisk in the middle of an ordinary Springfield cemetery. There was a funeral going on, and it struck me that it would be really cool to be buried in the same place as Lincoln. [ed note: I'm sure that can be arranged...]

Also of note, as usual, was the food we ate. That book of “500 Things to Eat” has really come in handy. Springfield is the home of something called the “Horseshoe", which is bread topped with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, cheese and a huge mound of hash-browns. A sort of “cholesterol on a plate." [ed note: perhaps what really killed Lincoln?] We had read about it, and had to have it, so went to a diner listed in the book. It was great. We could have had gravy, but decided to forego that! One order was enough for both of us.

Now, here we are in Chicago with Brian & Amy and baby Lucy. What a joy she is, and very active. She is only 4 months old, and doesn’t like to “sit” on your lap, she likes to try to stand! She is a happy baby, and her smiles are delightful!

We are staying with a very dear friend from my college days, Gail Weisberg, who lives in Evanston. Gail stayed with us for a week in Seattle last year, and I’m glad for the chance to see her again.

We will be in Chicago until Monday the 14th, and it’s nice to be able to stay somewhere for a while.

• No new license plates seen.
• Days till we see Toby & Beruria: 7
• Days till we see Paige and Ashley: 23