Our tour guide mentioned this quote last night which we both liked.... "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page..." we thought it was a nice one !
Before we discuss today's adventures just a couple of things we have missed from the last couple of days. We have done our bit for the US troops by sending lip balm and condoms over to Afghanistan !!!! ( what you do when you have a couple of hours to kill at an airport!) and yesterday in Chicago we were able to watch a mighty good air show ( the biggest in the US).
Well today started with an early breakfast and then a quick walk to see the sign that states that route 66 starts here...that was pretty cool. We then did a quick goodbye tour of Chicago and hit the road on our way to Wilmington to see the Gemini Giant (this is a big green spaceman promoting some automobile parts....there used to be heaps of these along the route...but alas he is the last one). This part of the country is pretty flat. They grow corn and soya beans and are suffering big time from drought...most of the corn is brown and stunted and will most likely be ploughed back in ( big price rises in everything as most US products have corn syrup in them including their fuel) It is weird but it also seems that most small towns have their own stretch limo ! Then there was a quick stop at Odell at a historic gas station. We then ventured on to Pontiac where we visited their route 66 museum and their murals. We were actually personally greeted by the local mayor of the town...which was a nice touch. After stopping at Taco Bell for a quick bite we travelled onto Springfield where we visited Lincoln's tomb...and wow it is huge and elaborate. From there we went to visit his first house ( pity we couldn't get inside) and watched a fascinating video on his early life. We then went to our hotel dropped our stuff off and went for a walk around town ( to get rid of bus legs)... Glad we went for the walk because we then decided to eat half a cow each ( well that's what it felt like) with a huge serving of spare ribs...luckily our waitress saw our struggle and held off on dessert for us both!!! Now just relaxing watching our newly adopted Yankees playing the Red Sox.