When your eight year old grandson calls up and asks to go camping you set a date. If you don't, the day is going to come when he no longer wants to hang with you and you will have missed the opportunity.
We gave him the option of Yogi Bear or Abe Lincoln and believe it or not he chose Lincoln. His sister, Ella came with him and she was happy just to be going no matter where we went.
We packed up Bertha and headed to Springfield on Thursday afternoon. We got there on time to take a nice dip in the swimming pool before fixing tacos for dinner with grilled sweet corn. We had the best taco sauce ever thanks to Jack's expertise. Grandpa ate left over meat loaf.
Friday morning we headed out to the Lincoln Museum. A terrific interactive experience with something for everyone. Jack and Ella were impressed by the life-like wax figures of the Lincolns and various other figures of their time.
Ella liked the first lady's dresses, especially the pink one. They both liked the ghosts of the library even though Ella freaked out at first and made a flying leap into Grandpa's lap at the first clap of thunder.
They also liked the replica of the log cabin that Abe grew up in.
When we returned to camp, it was cool and cloudy so we deferred the swimming pool for mini golf and shuffleboard. I told them not to let any of my friends know I played shuffleboard.
On Saturday, we spent the morning at New Salem, the town Lincoln spent a few years in as a young man before coming to Springfield. Jack liked the log cabins and is going to convince his mom that they should get one. He especially liked the outdoor toilets. I think that would run thin very soon.
We had a great time in the swimming pool then had chicken nuggets strawberries, and corn on the cob for dinner. Grandpa ate left over meat loaf.
Sunday was our party day - our last day in camp. We went to church at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. It has just been reopened recently after a long renovation. What a beautiful old church. We then had brunch in town at the Cafe Brio. Grandpa chose the restaurant without realizing it was Mexican. They did have regular pancakes on the menu though. Jack ordered Quesadillas which were pretty tasteless, and Ella ordered buttered noodles which they ruined by smothering them in Parmesan cheese and serving cold. Restaurants must either think that kids will eat anything, or that they won't eat anything so why try to make it tasty.
After that we went to the law offices of Herndon and Lincoln and walked the floors that Abe actually walked on. We also went into the rotunda of the Capitol Building and into the Old State Capitol. They were impressed that Lincoln actually worked there for a short time and also debated Steven Douglas. While there, some Madrigal singers came in and sang some of the songs of the era. Ella loves music and Jack seemed to enjoy it even though he pretended not to.
We spent a long time in the pool that day, played a little shuffleboard, then cooked pudgy pies for dinner. Grandpa ate leftover meatloaf. We had a great party. Jack brought the biggest marshmallows you have ever seen to make s'mors. We told some stories over the campfire and then they stayed up late watching a movie.
I think the kids were impressed with Mr. Lincoln over all. We had a great time in the pool even though Grandma's brain is waterlogged. And Grandpa loves left over meat loaf.
Unfortunately there are no pictures to prove any of this because we left the camera at home. So use your imagination.
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