It is July 18th. 8:42 pm as I sit in the lobby of the Howard Johnson's motel in Springfield, Illinois. We left Keller, Texas, this morning at 5:39 headed here for a little vacation. Originally this was to be a two week affair, but I have shortened it for a confluence of reasons.

Here in Springfield we will visit Lincoln stuff - his grave, his home, his office, and his library and presidential museum. Might stop by the corn festival taking place in Chatham, about 10 miles from here. Good sweet corn cooked on a grill sounds good.

Here is a good motel description: find a motel on sidestep.com for 53.00 a night with two double beds, no smoking room, on the first floor, right next to the pool, that is secluded so our three kids are the only ones in the pool. Already struck up a conversation with the housekeeping lady, a delightful lady who already offered multiple towels and little bottles of shampoo. Yes, the door to the bathroom sticks and the toilet sounds as if the air around it is being sucked into a vortex or something similar to that whirlpool thing on Land of the Lost, but it is $53.00.

After Springfield tomorrow, and maybe the corn festival, we will find a church for Sunday and then head to Chicago. Didn't quite find as good a deal in the city, but we are on Michigan Avenue across from Grant Park.

Will let you know about the Lincoln and corn experience tomorrow.