Day 115 Lincoln to Bloomington 33 miles

6/7/2011

On the advice of a good friend, I went to bed early so that I could get up early. The plan was to beat the heat. I didn’t realize it was going to be hot at 8:30 AM. Maybe I’ll need to start waking up at four for this early rising thing to work. The stroller combined with the hot weather is slowing me down. But, I’m the one that signed up for this so I made sure my mini ice chest was filled with liquids and I made the best of it.

So this was the third day in a row that I’ve been pulled over by the police. They are always very friendly but, it seems people keep phoning in to report someone pushing a baby along route 66 in scorching heat. I’m guessing this isn’t going to be the last day.

Thirteen miles passed quickly. I found myself in the town of Atlanta. I stopped to take a few pictures and ended up in a museum or shop of sorts. It wasn’t open yet but Mike Evans the proprietor of the establishment asked me to go in anyway. I made a video of all his antiques and spent maybe an hour inside. We talked books and I decided to lighten my load and give him my copy of “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair. I was keeping it to trade at a used book store for something else to read but I decided the time had come for me to pass the literature along. It’s not meant to sit and stay closed. Knowledge must travel. And I had to travel as well. I wanted to get to the post office in Shirley to make sure I had books for the kids of the Scott learning center tomorrow. The things just don’t seem to stay in my hands for long. I guess my books also have a journey.

In the town of Shirley, the books had already arrived. What wasn’t there was a general store or gas station. I was parched and blessed Kristy of the post office offered me a cup of water. I think it was the most delicious water I have ever tasted. I asked for another one before making the final push. It was only seven more miles until I reached my destination.

Hello Vrooman Mansion!!! What a spectacular place. The original owner of this house was the secretary for Woodrow Wilson. The first thing I did when I entered the place was ask for a tour of the many rooms. I marvelled at each and every room of this historic site. Amazing original furnishings are in tact everywhere. The room I’m staying in has Mr. Vrooman’s pipe from Turkey which is no longer made. Preserved in the cabinets are products from another time.

After the tour, my hosts Debbie, Robin, and Gina informed me that I’d be staying in the mansion alone. It’s funny how I was among couples the other day and today I’m in a gigantic house all by myself. They did however offer to show me the area. It sounded great but I needed to clean up and refresh. Being a lover of baths, I didn’t hesitate to have a soak in the old style tub that’s practically indestructable. It was afterwards that I enjoyed the different structures of their downtown area. After a quick bite and a pit stop at a convenience store I was ready for bed.