The drive to Bartlett

DAY 48 (Cont'd): After breakfast we headed "cross-lots" to Louisiana, MO, where we would cross the Mississippi. That took us by Mexico, MO where we found Ozarkland, a temple of kitsch.

I couldn't begin to photograph everything but here are some samples:

These could actually be useful!

Across the Mississippi we went through Pittsfield, IL in Pike County, founded by emigrees from Pittsfield, MA.  Lincoln practiced law here and debated Stephen Douglas on the Courthouse lawn.The courthouse today was built after :Lincoln's time, but it is striking:

Pike County Courthouse

We originally thought we would go through Decatur and see Millikin Place, a wooden-block-paved street where there are five or six very beautiful homes, including one by Frank Lloyd Wright. But we decided we didn't have time to go even a bit out of the way, so we went through Springfield and stopped just to look at the Lincoln Home. We didn't have time for a tour, but we promised ourselves we'd come back - there is a lot to see and do in Springfield!

Lincoln Home in Springfield, IL