6/5/2011
Rain washed out the entire morning. So much for starting my new early morning routine. I was planning to take a day off anyway so perhaps this was my opportunity. I relaxed until one o’clock. Then the rain stopped and my wandering spirit began to nag at me. I listened to that little gypsy voice in my head, I packed my things and I took off. The conditions were fair but there was humidity in the air. Since I was supposed to take the day off I chose to casually walk around and see if I could find a campsite.
What I found on this day was everything Lincoln. How fabulous! We learn things about him in school and we know he emancipated the slaves but, to be here brings me closer to the spirit of the man. He becomes so real. Previous to this, I had almost forgotten how big of a hero he was. He is on our pennies and on the five dollar bill but he is so much more than that. He had such an impact on the people around the world and still does today. I think the next book I buy will be one about Lincoln. I remember how much I enjoyed reading about him when I was young.
After walking around the Lincoln area of Springfield, I made my way north. I stumbled upon a campground which seemed nice and spacious. I found the check in office which was a trailer sitting on campsite 72. I began checking in and within two minutes I was attacked and I mean ATTACKED by mosquitoes. It looked like they were even trying to stick their stingers into the metal cross bars of my stroller. Within another two minutes, I had said thank you, ran out of there, and was back on the road.
Things seem to always happen for a reason on this journey. My destiny was not to stay at that campsite. Instead, I my destiny lay ahead in the town of Sherman. On this particular day my destiny brought me to the Flagg Farmstead bed and breakfast run by Doug and Rosaline. What a wonderful couple. It is a building steep in history and wonderful atmosphere. The actual building was sturdy made from several hundred thousand bricks which were made right on the spot. It was also part of Lincoln’s law circuit. The Flagg Farmstead is exactly what I imagine a farmhouse to be. My room even came complete with a beautiful sunset descending behind miles of corn stalks.
There were still more people to meet before getting shut eye. A lovely couple celebrating their anniversary arrived and I had a wonderful time talking with Ray and Carol. I even discovered there is a market for those pictures I’ve been posting of the abandoned classic cars. And here I thought you all were getting tired of me posting those pictures. Go figure. This couple seems to get around as their kids are spread out from coast to coast. We agreed to chat more in the morning as I felt the need for sleep creeping. I took my shower, crawled into my bed, and melted into the best sheets I have encountered on this trip. It was heaven.
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