The Heart of Illinois

After shivering in the cold for an extra 10 minutes or so, bright white lights approaching from the distance signaled that I would be getting closer to the heart of Illinois.

Soon, I could read the words "Lincoln Service" (#15 on my second Illinois 200 list) lit up on the engine display as Amtrak train #305 pulled into the Summit train station (#16).  I was soon onboard and settled in for a fine ride that would get me to Springfield about 3 hours later.

While the darkness largely obscured much of what was outside the train windows, it made the decorative Christmas lights really stand out when we passed by homes and through towns.

It was rather quiet in downtown Springfield as I walked toward my hotel, but there were areas that were fabulously lit up, especially in the plaza (#17) around the Old State Capitol.

Here is the view of the Old State Capitol building from ground level.

And from my room on the 26th floor of the Wyndham Springfield City Centre Hotel (#18), I got great views of the lights, especially those strung up on the dome of the current State Capitol building (#19).

Above is the current Illinois State Capitol building.  Below is Union Square Park, right by Union Station.  Both photos are from the view I had outside my hotel room window.  Please note, all photos in the post are mine unless otherwise stated.

When I awoke the next morning, the daylight revealed many notable sights in Springfield.

The Illinois State Capitol appears to the left in this photo.  Near the center, you can see the reddish brick walkway in the Old State Capitol Plaza--that building is blocked by a taller building in this photo.  Below, through the reflection of the curtains, you can see the Illinois Governor's Mansion, with a circular walkway in front of it.

I visited a few of them that day, starting with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.

The Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library are the buildings that appear near the center of this photo, with cylindrical forms.

I first went there back in July 2005, shortly after it opened.  This most recent visit was a great chance to reconnect with a memorable museum.

The first exhibit I went to see was the temporary exhibit that looked at the four presidents with an Illinois connection:  Abraham Lincoln, Ulyssses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama.  There were various artifacts on display, and excerpts from speeches on the displays and playing on a screen.  Close to the entrance of the exhibit was a display of the first Illinois state constitution, as you can see in the photo below.

This exhibit really helped give depth to these leaders and what factors influenced their leadership.

The museum does a fabulous job helping acquaint people with Abraham Lincoln, the most notable of all Springfield citizens, and the quintessential Illinoisan. 

Above and below are views of the primary permanent exhibit entrances in the museum.

The times and experiences of his life are brought alive in the exhibits, with recreated scenes of log cabin life where he grew up, his Springfield law office, and rooms in the White House during the momentous years of his presidency, like when he announced his intention to issue the Emancipation Proclamation to his cabinet.  There are also other cool visual displays, like Tim Russert offering commentary on the four presidential candidates in the 1860 election, and the Sectional War in 4 minutes.  Toward the end of the 2nd exhibit on that takes a look at his life is a space that recreates when Mr. Lincoln's body lay in state in the House of Representatives chambers in the Old Illinois State Capitol.  I didn't notice before that above the speaker's podium is a portrait of George Washington.  It was quite profound to see the first US president looking over the 16th.

The two shows at the museum also facilitate a strong connection to the history of Abraham Lincoln and his times.  The Union Theater has Through Lincoln's Eyes, which uses the effort to create a portrait of Abraham Lincoln as a guide to tell his life story, with lots of stunning audiovisual effects.  Toward the end, the narrator noted that as we think about the values he advocated in his life, we see ourselves in Abraham Lincoln.  I also went to see the show Ghosts of the Library.  It has a great message about how we connect with history and we bring it alive when we see that we strive for the same values as they did in the past, and so their stories become our stories.

I also saw an exhibit featuring Nativity/Christmas decorations from presidents of the 20th Century.

It was around midday when I met up with Dave Joens, the director of the Illinois State Archives, who I know through my Grandma.  We departed the museum and took in some of the sights in and around downtown Springfield.  He even showed me around the Illinois State Capitol building.  The renovations in the Senate chamber (please see photo below) had finished since my last visit in September, so I was pleased to have the chance to go inside.

I also liked seeing the Christmas and other holiday decorations in the rotunda.

a menorah

a creche scene

Dave took this picture of me in the rotunda.

This sign explains the religious displays in the rotunda.

It was also interesting to get his perspective as he showed me around.  Then we had lunch at Boone's Saloon, a popular spot for Illinois state government workers and members of the General Assembly.  While I'm not a big fan of mayonnaise, I decided to order a turkey burger with a lemon avocado mayonnaise on it, and sweet potato waffle fries on the side.  It was a tasty meal.  And it was great having the chance to spend time with Dave, who allowed me a more personal connection to Illinois state government.

Here's my meal, with the signature "B" to mark this as a Boone's Saloon burger.

Dave then dropped me off at the Old State Capitol, where I went inside to look around briefly.

Outside the Old State Capitol

Above is the House of Representatives chamber in the Old State Capitol, with George Washington's portrait behind the speaker's position.  Below is the rotunda in the Old State Capitol.

The scene at the Old State Capitol Plaza, near the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office building.

I then dashed south to the Governor's Mansion for a tour.  The tour guide showed us around the rooms, noting what was new with the recent renovations, and the furniture and artwork of note in each room.  There were also fascinating stories in the various rooms connected with different governors, like the rooms that served as their offices, famous dignitaries who visited, and the antics of former governors' children who lived there, like the ones who slid down the banister of the main staircase.  The house looked splendid with the Nativity/Christmas decorations up, along with all the other pieces of artwork currently on display.  The renovation effort did a great job making the house look so resplendent again, allowing citizens to connect with "the People's House" as Governor and First Lady Rauner have dubbed it.

Then I went to 4 PM Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (#20).  It was special to go to the seat of the See of Springfield Diocese (#21) as a way to wrap up the Illinois Bicentennial year of 2018.  The Cathedral is notable in that its architectural design makes it appear like an ancient temple, especially with its columns and boxy look inside, perhaps a fitting statement in the place where Illinois government has its seat.

Following Mass, I wandered around central Springfield, including the area of the Lincoln Home Historic District, which was accessible for anyone to walk in, even though the site was not open for guided tours because of a lapse in federal appropriations.

Above is the Illinois Bicentennial Plaza all lit up.  Below is a view of the Illinois State Capitol from the Bicentennial Plaza.

I ended up at La Piazza for dinner, with a honey chicken salad, and lasagna.  This restaurant is next door to Maldaner's (#22), which has been running as a business since the 1880's, and thereby claims to the be the oldest continuously operating restaurant on Historic US Route 66.

I wrapped up my day taking in splendid views of Springfield all lit up from the 30th floor of the hotel.

The next morning, after checking out of the hotel, I walked toward the train station.  I stopped at Cafe Moxo to get a delicious breakfast of strawberry banana French toast.  There was plenty of history to take in on my walk, with markers explaining various sites related to Mr. Lincoln, like the site of the Globe Tavern where he and Mrs. Lincoln rented a room during the early years of their marriage, which is now a parking lot.  The Springfield Amtrak station is on the site of the train station where President Lincoln's funeral train arrived in Springfield in May 1865 (#23).

the Springfield Amtrak train station

Here is the view from the platform at the Springfield train station.  The Illinois State Capitol building appears just right of center.

After a relatively short wait, Amtrak train #302 pulled in, and a huge crowd of us boarded.

We headed northeastward, along a corridor paralleling I-55 and Historic Route 66, traveling past farm fields and through small towns.

The view of the Vermillion River near the station in Pontiac, IL

Here, mostly likely north of Pontiac, IL, is a vintage barnside ad for Meramac Caverns, further along Route 66 in Missouri.

The pavement closest to the foreground is a Frontage Road that is the alignment of Historic US Route 66.  The pavement near the yellowish trash receptacles further back is Interstate 55.

The view of Washington Street near the station in Dwight, IL

We were just about right on time reaching the station at Summit, where I detrained and then met my parents who came to pick me up and bring me home.

As I headed home and settled back into the routine of home, I came to realize how this trip touched me in a deep and special way.

As I've mentioned before, Springfield embodies many defining aspects of Illinois, especially as encompassed by the person of Abraham Lincoln, the quintessential Illinoisan, and so going there feels like a homecoming of sorts, and this trip was no exception.  I spent much time throughout 2018 taking in the sights and places, to experience what Illinois has to offer, as a way of getting better acquainted with this state I call home.  It was particularly special to celebrate the Bicentennial of Illinois and reconnect with my home state in deeper ways than before, especially after having experienced a time of separation from Illinois during my undergraduate years.  The time I was away helped me feel more passionately about being an Illinoisan, and I've appreciated being here even more in the 5 1/2 years since I returned home after my undergraduate graduation, building upon the sense of pride I had in all the years while growing up in Illinois.

Many of the sites I went to during this trip were places I had visited before while growing up, so it was special to revisit them and thereby reconnect with earlier times in my life even as I experienced these places anew, like the Governor's Mansion, the Old State Capitol, and most especially the Lincoln Presidential Museum, as my first visit to that museum came in 2005, an extraordinarily significant year for me.

I could enjoy visiting these places in a new way in light of the Bicentennial year celebration, as well as the start of new terms of office for the members of the General Assembly and executive officials, which happened a couple of weeks after this trip.

While I didn't fully conceive it in when I planned this trip weeks before while taking advantage of a flash sale on Amtrak fares, this trip was a very fitting way to cap off the month of December and the year of 2018 when I focused on celebrating the Bicentennial.

And now as before I'm glad and proud to say that I am an Illinoisan.

Dave got this photo of me with the Illinois State Capitol in the background.  To the left is the Stratton Office Building.  The collection of buildings that appears to the right of me in the photo includes the State Archives (#24), the Illinois State Museum, and the Howlett Secretary of State building.

Gifts 2018: Reflecting in the Spirit of the Magi

Today, January 6, is the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrating God's manifestation through Christ to peoples of all nations, which happened when the Magi presented gifts to Christ, having journeyed from a faraway location to the east to worship Him.

There is symbolism that indicates the gold is to honor Christ as King of Kings, the frankincense to honor His role as the Great High Priest, and the myrrh to recognize the sacrifice He would make to save humanity from sin.

Father Larry McNally, former pastor of Ascension Parish, used this symbolism to reflect on his gifts during his homily on Epiphany Sunday.  I now use this symbolism as a guide, not to review all my gifts, but to reflect on aspects of some gifts I gave and received for the occasion of the Nativity of the Lord on December 25, 2018:

For his first celebration of the Nativity with us, I gave Weasley, my nephew dog, a sizable jar of peanut butter, so he can enjoy licking spoonfuls of it out of his Kong toy. 

Here's Weasley, eagerly sniffing at his first Nativity gift from me, with his tail wagging excitedly, as my brother Eric unwraps it.

It was quite something watch him as his gift was unwrapped.  I gave my Dad a DVD copy of the movie Marley and Me, as I recognize his fondness for dogs.  I gave my Abuela some nice chamomile tea.

My brother gave me some nice books on interesting topics that I look forward to reading--in the From section on the tag, he said it was from him and Weasley.  I was floored to see my parents gave me an Amtrak gift card.  I'm eager for the opportunity to use it, and I have plenty of trip ideas ready for it.  And I think about the gift cards I received in recognition of my efforts as RE teacher.  One gift card I received from the RE office staff I was able to put toward the purchase of food for a family dinner a few days later.

Above all, it was great just being together, especially when Dad brought out a fun game to unwrap presents tied up in lots of shrink wrap.  There is a beauty in being present with one another, just as God has come to abide so closely with us forever in Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God for encountering His Presence in the Word Made Flesh in the gifts we exchange in celebration of His Nativity.

20+C+M+B+19

(The above is something that is written above the door to the house on the occasion of Epiphany.  The 20 and 19 signify the year 2019.  The letters stand for the traditional names for the Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.  The four crosses represent the four seasons.)

The Grapes of Anticipation 2019

With a sense of wistfulness in me for the year that has concluded, we're back at it, a new year with that fresh, "blank slate" feeling.  To get myself eager to head into a new year, I shall ponder what I anticipate in 2019 in accordance with the Spanish costume of consuming 12 grapes for the occasion of the new year of 2019.

Grape #1: Later this month, I am scheduled to attending World Youth Day in Panama City, Panama.  I'm looking forward to being part of this large gathering of the Church and engaging with faith in a whole new way.

Grape #2: The Illinois Bicentennial celebration in 2018 got me excited about all that Illinois has to offer, and I look forward to taking more small road trips throughout Illinois to continue sightseeing and celebrating, now that Illinois has attained 200 years of statehood.

Grape #3: I'm looking forward to tuning in to PBS to see what happens in Victoria Season 3.

Grape #4: There are local elections coming up, and I'm eager to participate in the discussions in the campaign process leading to those elections.

Grape #5: I'm excited to participate in more Chicago Architecture Center tours, as a means of continuing to enjoy my CAC membership.

Grape #6: I plan to enjoy more audiobooks during my commutes to work--and perhaps even on some of those road trips.

Grape #7: Disney is coming up with live-action versions of some of its well-known movies, and I look forward to seeing how they are received, especially given how many views the trailer for The Lion King got within the first day of being released.

Grape #8: There are some anniversaries coming up this year.  This May will mark 20 years since my first communion.  May will also be 150 years since the Golden Spike was driven that completed the Transcontinental Railroad.  It is an occasion that I'm thinking will allow me to engage my enamorment for trains in a whole new way.  July will bring the 50th Anniversary of the first moon landing.

Grape #9: I'm scheduled for a trip to Washington, D.C., in May with Mom, and I look forward to the experiences of both being there and also getting there, in Amtrak sleeper class.

Grape #10: Among my family, friends, and colleagues, I know many who have made significant professional moves in 2018, and I look forward to following their next steps in 2019.

Grape #11: I'm anticipating the opportunities I'll have to participate in service and social activities of the Knights of Columbus, as well as any other opportunities for service, particularly in the faith-based context.

Grape #12: As a librarian, I know how important it is to keep learning, and I'll be seeking new things to learn in 2019.  I say this especially in the context of what I'll learn about faith as I engage with it.  I had some great experience with Real Life Catholic and Dynamic Catholic offerings, and I look forward to seeing what else they offer this year.  And in accordance with the adage, "The best way to learn something is to teach it", I am particularly enthused to engage with faith by continuing the glorious work of handing on the faith to the next generation, particularly my RE students.

I now commend this year of 2019 to the grace of God, as I get ready for what I anticipate, and open myself to all else that will arise in the course of the year.