We thought we knew U.S. history - and then we learned so much we didn't know or realize when it all came to life this past weekend in Springfield, Illinois.
Springfield was home to the Lincoln family, Abraham and Mary and their four sons, Robert, Edward, William and Thomas, from 1842 until 1847 when they moved to Washington D.C. when Lincoln became a U.S. Representative. He was laid to rest in Springfield when his service to God and country was so suddenly ended in 1865 and Mary, his widow, lived there the rest of her life. The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are located near the Old State Capitol in Springfield.
We visited the Lincoln Presidential Museum for the second time and learned even more than the first. Inside, we watched both theatrical productions, "In Lincoln's Eyes" and "Ghosts of the Library" which shed light on the tough situations and decisions Lincoln faced as the first Republican president of a country then divided and at war. We also walked through the "Team of Rivals" exhibit and were amazed by the diversity of his first cabinet and how polar they were about each issue.
Besides the visiting exhibit and productions, we walked through the Pre-Presidential Years display of his early home life and political aspirations.
Then we went through the White House Years display. We entered the exhibit through a mock replica of the White house. Inside, the especially touching and poignant parts included the corridor of harsh and critical political cartoons, Willie's bedroom as he lay dying of typhoid fever, tributes to soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, and a wall of photos of Lincoln each year of his presidency showing how the cares and concerns so completely aged and wore him down. The most sobering part is the last room. Music quietly plays, and you walk past Lincoln's closed casket lying in state inside the Representatives Hall in the Old State Capitol in Springfield as if you're paying your last respects too. I can't describe this fully or give it justice. The heaviness, pride, gratefulness and respect that swelled and the appreciation for Lincoln was amazing. This was the scene which really made him so real.
Later in the weekend, we went to Oak Ridge Cemetery to see Lincoln's Tomb. We parked the car and walked past signs requesting everyone's silence and respect while on the grounds. The light breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves. We walked down the path, hand in hand, and drank in tomb's majesty and details as we got closer with each hushed step .
Signs below the tomb gave details about the construction and significance of key parts. The statues on each of the four corners representing the four branches of the Civil War military (infantry, artillery, cavalry, and navy) were cast in part from 65 cannons donated by the U.S. government.
We followed the path around the tomb to the back. This grate protects the stained window on the rear side.
The path continued down a hill behind the tomb. At the bottom of the hill is the vault where Lincoln's funeral was held and his body laid while construction plans for the tomb above were put into motion.
"The temporary vault held the bodies of President Abraham Lincoln and his sons Edward and William from December 1865 until September of 1871, when they were moved to the partially completed tomb. A granite market indicates the site of the temporary vault." - John Carroll Power, 1889 (Custodian of the Lincoln Tomb, 1874-1894)
We walked back up the hill and then strolled towards the car, occasionally looking back at Lincoln's Tomb, still walking hand in hand, never talking, never saying a word. We got back into the car, lost in our thoughts.
Jamie later commented, "It's amazing to think as soon as Lincoln finished serving the monstrous task God had placed him here on earth to accomplish, He took him (Lincoln) home, so quickly and so soon. Just like that. Who knows what He has in store for each of us here and when each of our tasks will be complete and God calls us home."
If you ever have the opportunity to visit Springfield - be sure to go to the Lincoln Presidential Museum and visit Lincoln's Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The experiences are beyond words and so worth trip. And when you're there, be sure to give thanks for the sacrifices others before us have made so we can enjoy the freedoms and lives we live today.
The closest we've ever come to joining a circus is to become such very good friends with Billy and Angela Martin, Struppi Hanneford, Benito and Dulce Aguilar, Kim Sue and Vlastic Valla, and a host of others with Royal Hanneford Circus. Springfield became the crossing roads where we all came together this weekend. The Shriners had booked the Royal Hanneford Circus for their local Ansar Shriners Circus. We were nearly awestruck when we got to walk in the back door with them and were greeted by the elephants just a few feet away.
Before each show started, the pony and elephant rides were kept busy. The lines were long and filled with eager little and big kids who wanted their chance to do something exciting. We walked around and drank in all the hustle and bustle and energy from the busy setup to the fresh popcorn to the cotton candy being made in the back.
Billy gave us great seats on the arena floor near the side entrance and elephants' props.
Soon the lights dimmed, the music played, and the great spectacle began! Angela made this wardrobe herself! She's a very talented aerial artist and has now added creating fabulous costumes to her long list of skills.
The tigers were first. There were five white Bengal tigers and one reddish and black Bengal tiger. They were beautiful and so ferocious looking.
Three aerialists performed above the three rings. Angela was in the center on trapeze between the other two on web and chiffon. They made everything look so effortless. It was spellbinding to watch.
Billy and Vlastic (a.k.a. "Roger") lightened up the mood with a hilarious skit about Roger, the reluctant substitute trampoline troupe. We laughed so hard every time. Their timing is impeccable and their slapstick comedy is top notch.
The past two week's we've been enjoying the PBS special, "Circus" and were thrilled to see the Flying Cortes live, in person, at the circus! On Circus, the Flying Cortes is brought in to replace another flying troupe when they are unable to complete a triple. The Cortes do this with flair and make it look effortless! Be sure to tune in Wed., Nov. 24 for the last installment of Circus on PBS.
Even little Ysabella joined the troupe on the flying trapeze in Springfield.
There were many other great acts - however my little camera wasn't able to catch clear shots of those. The circus fun also included Benito Aguilar's amazingly quick juggling, Zoppe's Rhesus monkey review and Afghan hounds, the Aerial Vallas' cradle acrobatics, Benito and Dulce Aguilar's quick change, elephants, and lots of circus clowns.
For the finale, all the performers came back out and stood around the center circle while the US flag was raised up high in the middle. The crowd jumped to their feet and we felt like the luckiest people in the world to have enjoyed the show from our seats on the arena floor.
We escaped! Not from the nuthouse like some of my friends may suspect - ha! (You know who you are...) Nope - we escaped from Iowa and went on a grand adventure this weekend to Springfield, Illinois and even took in a little corner of Missouri for good measure. That, and the roads to Springfield connected through Missouri so we really had no choice, but still we enjoyed it immensely.
Up before six and on the road before seven am (which is usually REALLY, REALLY early for us on a weekend), we enjoyed the changing landscapes and sky along the way. Bolstered by a wonderful breakfast with friends, we drove and drove. Or, I should say, Jamie drove and drove. I slept, took photos out the window, and chatted with him like there's no tomorrow. He's a great date, and I enjoyed having uninterupted time with him in the car. All to myself. I didn't have to share him with anyone for six whole hours and it was glorious! So was the sky:
Scatterd across downtown Springfield, numerous bronzes of Lincoln depict important events in his life there.
Since breakfast had been so early we were really hungry by the time we arrived in Springfield and quickly set out to find a great spot for lunch. This place looked interesting and I so loved the pun.
Then we spied our favorite sub shop and the rest was history. The subs were delicious. The music was lively and upbeat. The company was good (despite my Honey's funny look). And lunch couldn't have been better.
While we ate, we enjoyed the funky signs all over the walls. Here are some of our favorites:
Just up the street a bit, Jamie spied Del's Popcorn Shop and became as excited and animated as a little kid begging for a new toy. He can be so irrisistable when he's like that. We simply had to go in. So we did.
Once inside, I was enamored by the cool antique ceiling fans. They were powered by a single motor and run with cord strung from the motor to each fan. So brilliant and quaint!
Jamie, meanwhile, was nearly overcome with so many delicions popcorn options. It took him awhile to consider everything and make his selection. The decision must have been difficult but he persevered. We left well stocked as he proudly carried out a small bag and proceeded to eat it all up in the next few minutes. It must have tasted really good. I wouldn't know. You'll have to ask Jamie how it was. He offered to share, but was enjoying it so much I simply couldn't.
Late Saturday night we enjoyed a super-duper delicious Italian dinner at Saputo's. The salad drizzled with the zesty house dressing was perfect! The dressing was so yummy, I sopped up every little bit left with bread so none would go to waste. It was that good.
Jamie ordered spaghetti and meatballs. I had the baked ravioli (YUM!). Our friends enjoyed tortellini with white clam sauce and baked lasagna with meatballs. Our kind waitress, Debbie, asked if we wanted dessert, but sadly none of us had saved any room. As wonderful as the meal was I can only imagine how good the dessert would have been. Maybe next time.
The drive home Sunday was beautiful. The sun played hide and seek through the clouds...and the clouds...Oh yes, the clouds. They were glorious, fringed in gold as the sun warmed their edges.
And just to show how loved I truly am, Jamie so kindly slowed down so I could take photos of these underground storage facilities near the border in Illinois. They were so cool! And they reminded me of the underground storage facility in abandoned salt mines we'd visited near Hutchinson, Kansas a few years ago.
So many fun things were packed into this weekend, I couldn't do them justice to include them all here now. We had amazing adventures with the Royal Hanneford Circus and were humbled with a greater respect for President Lincoln after exploring the Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library and visiting Lincoln's Tomb. So until tomorrow, have a great night!
