On day 4 we drove through the picturesque countryside of Indiana on our way to Illinois, a new state known as the Land of Lincoln. We went out of our way to look for some of the covered bridges, a rare structure in America today. In this part of Indiana there are quite a few of them still left and some can still be driven over. Here are several cool photos of the bridges we found. The bridge on the top left was built in 1902 and the photo on the top r
ight is what the bridge looks like inside. We drove right through it. Only one car at a time can go through so you have to watch what you are doing. These bridges are all way out in the country surrounded by farms growing corn, soybeans and sorghum. Some of the roads are gravel, some narrow two-lane country roads with only an occasional car or tractor coming along.We arrived in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois around lunch time. This is a small town which is mostly there because of the university that is there. The University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana is a huge campus surrouned by beautiful home of the 1800's and early 1900's. We wanted to visit the school because we almost lived there. When my wife was looking into schools where she might 
go to get her doctorate degree in music, Urbana was one of the possibilities. At one time the school had a wonderful music program, but by the time my wife was ready to get her degree it was no longer as good. We drove around and then stopped at a grocery store called Schnuck's which is a chain like Fred Meyer or Safeway but found only in that part of the midwest. Funny name. huh? Anyway, we grabbed a few picnic type items and drove on. We also stopped at one of the Cracker Barrel stores which is a chain of old-fashioned style stores found along the highway in many states (there aren't any here in Washington) especially more in the midwest and eastern parts of America. You can go into their shop where you can buy souvenirs, candy and toys mostly stuff that would bring back memories to those of us who are part of the babyboom generation or older. They also have a restaurant that serves up old time comfort foods like turkey and gravy, meat loaf, etc. We bought some of my favorite candy called Chick o' Sticks which basically taste like to inside part of a butterfingers bar.
go to get her doctorate degree in music, Urbana was one of the possibilities. At one time the school had a wonderful music program, but by the time my wife was ready to get her degree it was no longer as good. We drove around and then stopped at a grocery store called Schnuck's which is a chain like Fred Meyer or Safeway but found only in that part of the midwest. Funny name. huh? Anyway, we grabbed a few picnic type items and drove on. We also stopped at one of the Cracker Barrel stores which is a chain of old-fashioned style stores found along the highway in many states (there aren't any here in Washington) especially more in the midwest and eastern parts of America. You can go into their shop where you can buy souvenirs, candy and toys mostly stuff that would bring back memories to those of us who are part of the babyboom generation or older. They also have a restaurant that serves up old time comfort foods like turkey and gravy, meat loaf, etc. We bought some of my favorite candy called Chick o' Sticks which basically taste like to inside part of a butterfingers bar. Arrived in Springfield, Illinois around dinner time, checked into our room. Because it was Sunday, a lot of things were closed so we couldn't go into any of the sights. We had
heard of a local eatery called The Chesapeake Seafood House and decided to check it out for dinner. When we arrived we found the place filled with gray-haired folks and a restaurant decor right out of the 60's. A nautical theme with sailing ship paintings and square-rigged models of old sailing ships. The chairs were black faux leather with wheels and the music was muzak from the elevators of the 60's. Lawrence Welk music. For us it seemed like a trip down memory lane since this was the type of restaurant we grew up going to with our parents. It is your basic steak and seafood place. My wife told them it was our 30th anniversary, which it was, and they brought us a free piece of delicious walnut layer cake for dessert. A fun evening! That's our little red rental car there in the parking lot.
heard of a local eatery called The Chesapeake Seafood House and decided to check it out for dinner. When we arrived we found the place filled with gray-haired folks and a restaurant decor right out of the 60's. A nautical theme with sailing ship paintings and square-rigged models of old sailing ships. The chairs were black faux leather with wheels and the music was muzak from the elevators of the 60's. Lawrence Welk music. For us it seemed like a trip down memory lane since this was the type of restaurant we grew up going to with our parents. It is your basic steak and seafood place. My wife told them it was our 30th anniversary, which it was, and they brought us a free piece of delicious walnut layer cake for dessert. A fun evening! That's our little red rental car there in the parking lot.On our way back to our room we stopped at the tomb of Abraham Lincoln and walked around. This is the actual grave where Abraham Lincoln is buried along with his wife and two of his 3 children. After he
was assasinated in Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. by 
John Wilkes Booth, his body was slowly transported by train through the country side. Thousands of people lined the tracks to get a glimpse of the President's casket as it returned him to his home of Springfield. Here he was placed in this tomb and thousands of people still stop to pay their respects to this great man even today.
was assasinated in Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. by John Wilkes Booth, his body was slowly transported by train through the country side. Thousands of people lined the tracks to get a glimpse of the President's casket as it returned him to his home of Springfield. Here he was placed in this tomb and thousands of people still stop to pay their respects to this great man even today.
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