Springfield Tour

[Rob Wick]

We ended Friday night at a local eatery, Saputo's, which is a nice little Italian place just down the street from where we're staying. It's like we've known each other for years now (which, in the case of Joe, Gene, Bill and myself, is true, even if this is the first time we've actually met). I don't imagine there was too much insomnia among anyone as dinner was a bit subdued as we all were processing the day's events and the fact that we were all pretty much wiped out.

On our last full day we will take in the alpha and the omega of Lincoln's Illinois years as we travel to New Salem this morning and pay homage to Ann Rutledge, Hannah Armstrong, Bowling Green and others. From there we will head back to Oak Ridge Cemetery and commune with Father Abraham. If the weather holds out (there is a threat of rain today) we will also visit William Herndon and well as more modern Lincoln relics like Oliver Barrett, Harry Pratt and Benjamin Thomas. After paying our respects we will do our part for the Springfield economy by visiting Prairie Archives, the best used bookstore in town, and possibly some other shops located on the Springfield square.

One note I forgot to mention yesterday. I knew Roland W. "Rollo" Diller's drugstore was on the east side of the Old State House square, but as we were walking to the Lincoln Presidential Library I happened upon a sign that marked the location where Ida M. Tarbell first met the inestimable Mr. Diller and where Billy Brown was born. Cheryl and I now have a photo of us with the sign.

Instead of posting photos piecemeal, I plan to wait until we make it home and do it all at once.

Best
Rob