Friday, 9Jul10, Springfield, IL
Note:
Today we rode to Springfield, Illinois … Abraham Lincoln’s hometown! “Lincoln was born in Kentucky, grew up in Indiana and came into his own in Illinois. There are some amazing things to learn about this complex, shrewd and wondrous man!” (And you can do that by visiting some of the available attractions listed below:
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, make sure you spend enough time to understand “The Journey” (allow about 3 hours to visit this)
- Illinois Vistor Center at Union Station
- Union Square Park
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Old State Capital
- Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices
- The Lincoln Tomb
- Lincoln’sNew Salem State Historic Site
- The Great Western Railroad Depot
- Lincoln’s Church
- Lincoln Ledger
These are just a few of the items that you should take time to visit if you’re ever in Springfield … it’s obvious that you won’t be able to visit them all in just one day … so prepare to spend a few days in the state capitol.
(Now back to our wonderful ride today)
Wow another 106 mile day! With a 15.7 mph average.
Up at 0430 hrs, ate breakfast at 0600 hrs and then loading at 0700 hrs.
On the road and then at 0735 hrs did a phone interview with Jim Leach at WMAY radio … we had a lot of fun talking to him, and listening to Anna McFarland who was helping to coordinate the blood center arrangements.
Adella and I rode together early in the ride … then I hooked up with Big John for awhile and finally with Larry and Don.
Then I had to make sure we made it to the news conference at 4 p.m. at the FitClub South at 3631 South 6th St. in Springfield.
So Don and I did lots of hard riding with a fair amount of crosswinds, yet we made it on time … and … had a few moments extra to stop at the Bike Tech shop in town … where we met the owner, Bob and saw a poster about Life Across America.
At the FitClub South (manager is Geoff) is where they held the blood drive and … they had a “mobile” donor coach open for blood donations. (see pictures on Facebook)
While we were at the news conference we met David Parsons (CEO), KathleenK, Tara M, and ? Richey all from the Central Illinois Community Blood Center. (As always, the highlight for me was meeting the blood center’s staff and the blood donors!)
Also we met Illinois State Police Trooper … Mindy Carroll (Safety Education Officer) a very nice lady, officer and a blood donor.
Eric Kirbach and his wife(is the lady Aaron and I met back in Life Across America 1996) … Eric is the Chief of Police for Divernon Police Department.
We were interviewed by two reporters, Chris from Channel 20 news, WICS-TV, www.wics.com and Steve from Channel 3 news.
Jim Nelson from the State Journal Register was also there at the news conference.
We were presented a Proclamation from the Mayor of Springfield by David Parsons … declaring today as “Life Across America 2010 Day” in Springfield.
A special “thank you” to Lee Milner and Anna McFarland from the blood center for all the hard work they did to coordinate this event and bring it to life.
On a personal “Acorn” level, I received a very special phone call from George G tonight … congratulations to him and to his family.
Well, tomorrow we ride up to Champaign, Illinois … another 96 mile day!
I’ll check in with you tomorrow.