Tuesday (7/7)  We had a lazy morning and did not get out until afternoon.   We headed right to the Lincoln Home National Historical Site.   This is the site of the only home that the Lincoln's ever owned (see picture.)  The home has a number of items that belonged to the Lincoln's.   When they went to Washington they sold much of their furnishings and the rest they stored with a neighbor.  They never came back for it and over the years the people who ended up with it, have given it back to the home.  They know what the house looked like because drawings were made of it for one of the publications of the day to dispel the notion that Lincoln was back woods and lived in a log cabin his whole life.   This home reflected the finer things of his day. 

This National Historical Site is comprised of a four-block square.  They have restored or rebuilt the appropriate homes that would have been there in Lincoln's day.  If the park service cannot find enough documentation about a home, they have left the lot vacant.  This four-block area has a very pleasant feel about it.

The fifth State Capitol is still standing in Springfield.  It was used from 1839 to 1876.  Lincoln's body lay in state there and was the stage for Lincoln's House Divided Speech in 1858.  Lincoln served in the State Legislature from 1834 to 1842, part of that time in this building.

We ate supper at a place called Sammy's.   They only reason we did this is because Sue over heard a woman say her son had never had a "horseshoe" and where could they get a good one - the response was Sammy's.   A "horseshoe" is an open face sandwich with texas toast, meat of your choice smothered in french fries buried in melted cheese sauce.  It is more calories and fat than any one person should have in a day BUT boy is it good.  Thanks heavens we shared it.

We were lucky that it was Tuesday because this is the only evening of the week that they do a flag ceremony at Lincoln's Tomb.  The 114th Regiment re-enactor's do the ceremony and award to some lucky family the flag that has flown at Lincoln's Tomb for the week.  They then open up Lincoln's Tomb so that people can go in in the evening.   There is something about looking at the tomb of such a great man that gives you goose bumps (see picture.)  Somehow, you feel honored.