An Unplanned Adventure

 

   Our main objective for the day, a Monday, was to get to Evansville, IN, so we could make it home the next day. A secondary consideration was to detour over to Springfield, IL, the Capital of the state of Illinois, and check off the capitol building on our list of state capitals visited. Carolyn and I had already been to Jefferson City, MO, Cheyenne, WY and Pierre, SD on this adventure trip, and Springfield would give us 4 for the record.

   Driving into the city, following the directions on the phone app (more about that one day soon), we spotted the capitol of the state of Illinois from several blocks away. The distinctive dome shouted "important building" from afar.

   As we prepared to turn right toward the state seat of government, WAZE instructed us "in 1/4 of a mile, turn right on _____Street". We could see it, there was a street heading right toward it, but, like any unsuspecting tourist, we followed the phone app and proceeded to the indicated turn. Spotting an underground public parking area, we scooted down the ramp and into the garage.

   As we exited the car, the first of several helpful citizens asked if we knew where to go. He indicated  an elevator and told us it would take us up to street level where the capitol building was located. Thanking this kind man, we rode up and, when the door slid open, there it was right in front of us.

   We had arrived at the "old capitol building", built in 1837-1840, serving as the seat of state government from 1840-1876, and the site of Lincoln's time in state government and run for the Presidency in 1860.

   Carolyn and I did not know there was "an old capitol building", but were glad to visit the historic spot.

   Besides, the new capitol that we had spotted, was not in sight.

   After taking a couple of shots, we ascended the steps and entered the quiet old structure. Looking around the first floor lobby area, we heard a voice from the bench on the right. A distinguished looking man, working a crossword puzzle, asked us if we needed help. He mentioned that a tour party had just left that area and could be found in the next room on the left. We could hear voices from that direction and so wandered in and attached ourselves to the back of the group.

   The guide, obviously a man familiar with Lincoln and his association with this building, was speaking to about 15 folks and moving from room to room on the first and second floors.

   Now, we had not planned on staying long, in fact our reason for opening the front door at all was to see if there were public restrooms in the building after being in the car for 4 hours.

   But we continued with the tour, which was very good, and found the "facilities" at the end of the guide's presentation.

   But now it was time for lunch. As we turned to leave the building, a familiar voice again spoke to us from the bench. "Thinking about a place to eat lunch around here?", the puzzle man asked.

   An affirmative answer brought him up from his spot, and as he indicated the front door, we all went in that direction. Standing on the front steps, he gestured to the area around the capitol.

   "I know there are several spots around the square", he said, "but I would take the Feed Store straight in front of you, or Long Nines Junction over to your right side. Long Nines may look like a bar, but the food is very good, and the place is not really a bar at all."

   The food was excellent, and there was no bar, just a bunch of people enjoying a lunch break.

   I know none of my readers asked, but this does not cost any extra.

   The Long Nines Junction took its name from the group of 9 legislators who lobbied for the state capital to be moved to Springfield. They were all over 6 feet tall, hence the "Long" Nines, and one of those 9 was Mr. Lincoln himself.

   So, we started out toward one particular building, found another that was much more interesting, had a friend in the garage point us toward it, were directed to a tour that was already in progress, had a very informative tour, found the restrooms, again was directed to a good eatery, had a great meal, got a history lesson in the bargain, and all of it unplanned.

   All we wanted was a picture for the record.

   And I managed to spot the working capitol building between the other buildings.

   Sometimes unplanned adventures are the best, and it pays to be flexible in your traveling schedule.

   They were, and we were.

   The incidents above seemed to characterize our trip West. Even though this happened near the end, looking back, it seemed just one more in a long list of wrong turns, helpful people, and what seemed to be "incidental encounters".

   But, just perhaps, the truth is that we did not know God's plan for our day.

   And His Plans are always the best for us in the long run.