travel plans

[mbgross]

Thanks! Got back about a week ago. Don't have the tech savvy to post on the road or even to post a picture, so I apologize in advance for that. Did the 8th Judicial Circuit! Or at least my hybrid version of it. Must first give thanks to two books the before mentioned: Following in Lincoln's Footsteps by Ralph Gary and the indispensable Guy Fraker's A Guide to L's 8th Judicial Circuit (his other book on the Circuit is good too) in the Looking for Lincoln series. That little book is chocked full of information and interesting facts. it takes you along the roads that Lincoln took or the best that can be done for this time..... First and foremost, the size of the Circuit is amazing! I know everybody talks about that, and I have heard it many times before, but until you travel it, you don't realize the size and scope. I was in a vehicle, I couldn't imagine doing it on horseback....I mentioned hybrid version. I did not follow it exactly. some places I had been before and their were other Lincoln's sites that I wanted to visit, not related to his legal career. For example, I did not go to Springfield. I figured it up once, and I have spent about 30 days in Springfield, all Lincoln themed trips and mostly in intensive study. There are 3 places in Springfield that I haven't been too, however, and that I an saving for another trip. 1. Governor's mansion. 2. visit more in the cemetery 3. the Edwards Place. Another place I wanted to see but was closed for the season was the Long Nine Museum in nearby Athens. Just another reason to go back! Then it was on to Petersburg, not much is still there that was there in Lincoln's Day concerning his legal career. I tended to skip places unless the original building was there. What was cool in Petersburg was that I found, after a long search the original grave of Ann Rutledge and the grave of Jack Armstrong. It was extremely hard to find . No road to get there. One farmer purposely mislead me. But I guess if I had people trespassing on my property, I would be angry too. But it felt special being there. That night I spent the night at New Salem State Park and early the next morning I trespassed and had an early morning stroll through New Salem. Just me and the dog. So special, at least to me. More later!