A Day to Hang Around Springfield

Springfield, Illinois, that is.  We had hoped to spend some time out by the pool at the TraveLodge, but, unfortunately, it was closed.

I had a delicious breakfast at the motel's restaurant, Abe's, and then drove west to Barnes and Nobles and Best Buy which has a great CD selection, rare anywhere any more.

Went to Norb Andy's and split a ponyshoe for lunch, then to George Rank's, the round bar on 66, and Capitol City for NTN and to meet J.J..

Dinner at the Cozy Dog for those great Cozy Dogs (like a corn dog on a stick).  Then to the Curve In  and ended up at the motel's South Side Pub where we taklked with a lot of folks in town to see the state fair.

A Great Day in a Great Town.  --RoadDog

Rain, a Fair and a Concert

Yesterday, we drove through intermittent rain to Springfield, Illinois, and went to the Illinois State Fair for the first time.  I've always wanted to go and figured we'd have done so way before now since we're both retired and have been these last six years.

Best of all, it was senior day and we got in for free and paid $7 to park.  The concerts were also free.

We found the fair really confusing with stuff all over the place and lots of walking.  Plenty of food though, including at least four places selling the famous Cozy Dogs, but these stands were not part of the Waldmire family.  Two were the Coleman's.

The rain fell a little, but then held off for the concerts.  We saw the band we'd seen yesterday in Johnsburg, New Odyssey who kicked off the show and the 3,000 or so folks there really had a good time.  I'd say they made a few converts.

The main act was the Million Dollar Quartet who are playing at a theater in Chicago.  This show recreates the session at Sun Studio in Memphis back in the 50s when Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis got together.  Great show as well.

Went to Capital City and the Curve Inn on the way back to the motel.

Great Time, But Man Are My Feet Sore!!!  --RoadDog

Thinking About the Fair

Came across the Illinois State Fair running August 9-19th in Springfield.  I've always wanted to go to it.  Then saw that one of our favorite groups, New Odyssey (which we will be seeing at Parishfest at St. John's Church in Johnsburg, Illinois, tomorrow), will be playing there Monday. 

Even better, Monday is Senior Day; folks 60 and over get in FREE!!  Plus, Million Dollar Quartet will also be playing that day.  Priceline has rooms in Springfield as well.

Sounds like a plan to me.  And, we can do a Route 66 thing there and back.

Tis a Fair, Fair Better Thing I Do.  --RoadDog