July 6th, Illinois

July 6th

Mile 683- Best Lincoln museum IN THE WORLD!- There was nothing hokey about this stop.  The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is fantastic. It is a top-notch museum with interesting exhibits, films, and artifacts. 

Me and My BFF Mary T. This was taken before her stinker son, Not-so-fun-Bobby, had her committed to the looney bin.

Last one to have a half-way decent, semi-natural smile is a rotten egg.

Abe's Crib

Mile 818- Corn

Mile 875- (I am starting to hear the Three and A Half Men Theme song)Corn. Corn. Corn Corn,  Corny Corn. Corn Corn Corn Corn Corn Corn Corn

Mile 898- Illinois State Railway museum (Largest train museum IN THE WORLD!)- Last-minute, spontaneous addition to the itinerary added by Mr. B, followed by much feedback from Mrs. B. Later followed by Mrs. B's submission to said itinerary change. So glad I submitted! (don't get used to it, Mr. B!) AMAZING collection of trains in 9 different warehouses. You can ride on trains until you are blue in the face, or they kick you out past closing time. Don't ask me how I know that.

Some Bullingtons are slightly more enamored with trains than others

Mile 935- Des Plains, Illinois- Ray Croc's First McDonald's- So in my over-zealous internet research, I discovered that what I thought was the first McDonald's was located somewhat in the same direction we were headed en route to Milwaukee (okay it was 30 minutes out of our way). But, we were hitting there around dinnertime and although McDonald's is not usually my first choice for a Saturday night, or ever my choice for a Saturday night, we had to go! Because, this wasn’t just ANY McDonald's. It was THE first McDonald's and was going to be AWESOME. Or, it might just be a replica of the first McDonald's that Ray Croc opened, and it might have closed at 2:30 and currently be featured behind a tall iron fence (one that can be climbed, jokers). So, the children peered through the fence at the dusty mannequins peddling their $.15 imaginary hamburgers. It was lame.  We then hung our heads and joined the throngs of disenfranchised suburban Chicago youths at the regular McDonald's.  On a Saturday night. Headed to Milwaukee.

Mile 964- “Thank goodness for little pink potty chair”, says Thomas.  “But, roosting on it alongside I-95 outside of Chicago is enough to give a boy stage fright.”

Mile 995- I talk John into listening to the Indigo Girls.

Mile 996- He makes me change it to Dolly Parton.