We left our home on Wednesday, April 8 after Shad got home from work. We drove east on highway 36 through overcast skies, rain, and then fog so thick that I could barely see 10 yards in front of me. For an hour. Gosh, that was a stressful drive! We finally got close to the Missouri River, where the fog suddenly dissipated and I could see clearly. I was expecting that we'd get to our hotel in Cameron, Missouri around 10 pm, but we didn't get there until 11!
We drove all the way across Missouri on highway 36. It was fun to see more of the highway on which we live. I loved seeing the contrast of the bright green grass and farmland against the blue-grey sky.
Not because we're people who remember the birthplace of significant historical figures, but because we saw a sign telling us so, we decided to stop in Springfield, Illinois, the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.
We visited the Lincoln Presidential Library, where a man excitedly approached us, asking if we were joining them in going outside for the bell-ringing. Bell-ringing? The national bell-ringing to celebrate the exact time General Robert E. Lee signed the peace treaty with General Ullyses S. Grant to end the Civil War, 150 years ago. Wow! It gave us chills just to think about it. The actual bell-ringing itself was a little disappointing. I mean, in my mind, a national bell-ringing to celebrate the end of the bloody Civil War would be a big, loud event. Ring out all the church bells and let the world know! No, it was simply that excited man, wearing white gloves, ringing a silly little ceremonial bell for a minute. Lame.
Statue of Abe Lincoln across from his Presidential Library and Museum.
The quote on the statue's base.
Hey, guess what! I'm probably related to that Schafer. My grandpa's ancestors lived in Tazewell County just south of Springfield before they moved west to Nebraska.
And so we finally arrived in Cincinnati. We stayed at my cousin Scott's house, with his wife, Ally, and two sons, Matthew and William. We did tons of fun activities while we were in a large city.
Children's Museum
My cousin Rex came down from Columbus to visit.
We went to Loveland Castle, a medieval style castle built out of the Little Miami River. After returning from service in Europe, a WWII veteran decided to build a castle because not many Americans get the chance to travel to see such historical European sites. He literally built this castle out of the river--using stones, and making mortar from the silt in the riverbed. Each floor of the castle's interior is inspired by different national styles--English, German and French. Truly American.
Tom and Katie are on the ends.
Sitting at the long table in the dining hall.
It was really important to Tom that he got to play chess in the castle. Not that he knows how to play...
Matthew has a corvette, and Shad got to experience the stress of giving his daughter's first driving lesson. Tom seemed to have it figured out the moment he sat behind the wheel.
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Peacock doing his thing and showing off.
Riding the great tortoise
Tiger!
Try not to read into Tommy's expression. He's excited and happy to be there.
See! Told ya. That gorilla is new to the zoo, and that day was his first day out. We got to see his amazing display of catching food, clapping for more, and running around beating his chest to establish dominance over us.
Zebras are Dancy's favorite!
Riding on the train. Tommy, Matthew, Thor and I.
Yay, train!
She's not really a flasher; she's just showing me her Tinkerbell shirt.
Lions
Giraffes! Would you look at those giraffes?!
Yeah, and he just held this pose.
We also got to have dinner at Dave and Mary's house (my uncle and aunt), with my cousins Jonathan and Craig. We played many games of Lords of Waterdeep with them, and Scott and Ally. It was fun getting to spend so much time catching up with Scott, who I've had an almost non-existent relationship with since we both went and grew up.
On our way out of the city, we ran errands and stopped at Olive Garden for lunch. The kids had a water cup already, and then a smoothie cup for their lunch. Katie decided to double-straw it.
Then, naturally, the others had to follow suite.
Scrunchy face!
From Eugene Covert's Junior yearbook, 1941. Orchestra picture. Duane is at the back on the right, holding his trombone.
