With school just around the corner, we decided to squeeze in one last trip and boy did we squeeze a lot in with this trip!! We decided to head east and visit the "windy city", but it felt more like the "hot city" with temps well in the 90's, but we didn't let a little heat put the "sizzle" on our summer fun. (sorry for the cheese-fest commentary, I'm a little tired from the 8++ hour drive :) Our first stop of the trip was a visit to the Iowa Hawkeyes Stadium (now that we're joining the Big 10, we need to see what our playing field's look like) and then a stop in the "Quad Cities" (Moline, IL, Rockport, Davenport, and Bettendorf, IA) for dinner, a tour of the John Deere Museum and a water taxi ride along the Mighty Mississippi. We finally ended our day with a hike through Starved Rock State Park. We then spent a few days in Chicago and toured many of the city's attractions such as Wrigley Field, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier (complete with a ride on the giant Ferris wheel), and of course we spent some time walking along the "Magnificent Mile" where Ava spotted her favorite store!! Yes, she found it, the American Girl Doll store, so we just had to stop in and do a little shopping. I let the boys do their thing, while Ava and I did ours :) Well, needless to say, 1 1/2 hours and $200 dollars later, we were hungry and ready to try some of that much talked about Chicago deep dish pizza at UNO's. We ended our trip in Chicago with a day at the beach. We went north to Evanston and visited yet another Big 10 school (Northwestern) and then spent some time swimming in Lake Michigan. (We were pleasantly surprised at how clean the water and beach were) Then, we headed south to Springfield. On the way down, we drove along the historic Route 66 highway and then stopped in Lincoln, IL. Lincoln is where many of Matt's ancestors farmsteaded, so we were able to stop at the old church and cemetery and even found quite a bit of ancestral history along the way. It was also full of Abe Lincoln historical sites and the world's largest covered wagon :) As we drove down Route 66 we stopped by the Cozy Dog Drive-Inn home to the corndog and the place where the corndog was invented. Yummy!! Then we spent the rest of our time in Springfield walking in Abe Lincoln's footsteps. We visited the Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library, the Old and New State Capitals, Lincoln's Law Office, Governor's Mansion, Lincoln's Home and Tomb. It was very surreal to actually be in the very spot's that our 16th president frequented, but the spot that had the most impact on all of us was standing inside of Lincoln's tomb and being in the presence of such an amazing and important figure in our nation's history. As we headed home, we made one last stop in Hannibal, MO hometown to Mark Twain and the inspiration for many of his popular and beloved novels. Needless to say, we are definitely glad to be home, but this was a trip that will have a lasting impact on all of us.
Iowa Hawkeye Stadium~Future Big 10 Rival
Enjoying a water ride along the Mighty Mississippi (Matt didn't do a very good job at getting out of this picture)
Beautiful Chicago skyline atop the giant Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier
Another view of the city
Hmmmm......wonder who they're taking to? Like the pink phone Grant:)
Like my glasses.....getting ready to watch the 4-D show at Shedd Aquarium
Ava after picking out her new doll at the American Girl Store. As Ava would say "She looks like a mini-me."
Whose doll is this again????
Nothing like ending the day with a trip to the beach!!
Enjoying the sights along Historic Route 66
World's Largest Covered Wagon~Lincoln, IL
Abe Lincoln's House~Springfield, IL
Lincoln's Tomb~Springfield, IL
