![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ruffledfeathersandspilledmilk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/midwest.jpg\" "\\"midwest\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nWe stopped in Springfield to see The Simpsons<\/span> the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.<\/a> We’ve already seen the Lincoln Memorial and Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. and this site seemed like a nice addition. \u00a0The tour is free, led by a National Park ranger, and includes the house that Abraham and Mary Lincoln lived in for 25 years with their children.<\/p>\n In addition to the home being the original structure, a large number of items in the home are the actual pieces<\/a> used by the Lincoln family, not reproductions. \u00a0It’s an odd feeling to see the rooms and the furniture where Lincoln and his family lived their daily lives—-such an intimate view that reminds all of us that extraordinary people are sometimes people just like us.<\/p>\n Several blocks surrounding the Lincoln home include the restored \u00a0homes of the the Lincolns’ neighbors and the entire area is a lovely and peaceful respite from the busyness of downtown. \u00a0Which was good because once we soaked up the tranquility, we headed for Chi-Town. \u00a0The kids have never been to such a big city and never seen any of the Great Lakes and Chicago did not disappoint them. \u00a0The Blues Festival was going on in Grant Park and Americas’ Cup was finishing up at Navy Pier. \u00a0We took in all the tourist sights like the Bean (Cloud Gate)….<\/p>\n and Buckingham fountain.<\/p>\n We played in Millennium and Maggie Daley park….<\/p>\n and strolled along Lake Michigan to visit T-Rex Sue at The Field Museum (because she figures later in our trip).<\/p>\n We stuffed ourselves on deep dish pizza at Navy Pier and enjoyed the Crystal Gardens….<\/p>\n walked the Miracle Mile and had drinks at the Signature Lounge in the John Hancock Tower….<\/p>\n and got a great pic of the boys at the MCA plaza in a sculpture by Alexandre da Cunha. \u00a0Don’t worry. \u00a0You’re allowed to climb on it. \u00a0Probably. \u00a0Maybe. \u00a0Eh?<\/p>\n It was a busy day with lots to see, lots to do, and lots and lots of walking. \u00a0Which, really, is exactly the way it is to live in Chicago. \u00a0Chicago remained the kids’ favorite city, even after the others we would see on our trip. \u00a0Chicago is tricky like that. \u00a0She woos you with the sound of jazz as you saunter on LakeFront Trail. \u00a0Impresses you with bright lights and magnificent buildings. \u00a0Promises you ice cream on the riverwalk after a day of culture. \u00a0Then come the lakefront effect snowstorms in October and the honeymoon is over. \u00a0Yeah, I remember you well, Chicago.<\/p>\n After all that big city excitement it was wonderful to head into the rolling green hills of Wisconsin. \u00a0We crashed in Madison and in the morning while the males were all still sleeping, Pretty and I slipped out with cups of coffee to view the Olbrich Botanical Gardens.<\/a><\/p>\n If you’re ever in the Madison area, the Olbrich Gardens have some beautiful outdoor gardens that are free to the public. \u00a0We had the place mostly to ourselves except for a plethora of adorable chipmunks scampering around the trails. \u00a0The plantings….<\/p>\n and ponds….<\/p>\n and fountains were amazing.<\/p>\n Plus, an incredible cottonwood tree that dwarfed Pretty and left its telltale fluff all throughout the gardens.<\/p>\n Once the rest of the crew was up and ready we headed to House on the Rock.<\/a><\/p>\n We went for the Highlight Experience which allowed us to view 2 sections of the sprawling home. \u00a0It started out with Japanese gardens and water features leading into cozy rooms hidden in nooks and crannies.<\/p>\n There were a huge number of automatic music machines that played by themselves. \u00a0Their tinkling could be heard all throughout the home and went from small ones tucked into alcoves….<\/p>\n or picture frames….<\/p>\n to entire rooms.<\/p>\n The self-guided tour booklet explained that the house was kept dark in many rooms to show off the large collection of stained glass features.<\/p>\n So it was relief to step into the light of the Infinity Room. \u00a0If you consider it a relief to be in a narrow glass room that stands 156 feet over the forest floor. \u00a0That sways when you walk on it and made a surprising cracking sound when Little jumped onto the ledge for a photo, causing me to run back to the house while everyone laughed at me.<\/p>\n Oh, doesn’t look scary? \u00a0Well, to give you a better idea, when we left the house we stopped at an overlook off the grounds to eat lunch. \u00a0From there, you can see the Infinity Room jutting off the house. \u00a0It’s the kind of thing you only want to see after you’ve walked in it. \u00a0Not before.<\/p>\n After the Infinity Room it was back inside to the dark Streets of Yesterday, filled with very old, very creepy automatic moving toys filled with skeletons and devils. \u00a0Although my fortune from Ms. \u00a0Esmerelda was spot on. \u00a0Because as she said “You are straight forward, just, inquisitive, and shrewd. \u00a0Very much attached to your own opinions and determined to have your own way at any cost.” \u00a0It’s like she knows me! \u00a0Or like The Other Half slipped her a fiver while complaining that I am a bossy, road trip Nazi.<\/p>\n The Heritage of the Sea room had a whale and octopus sculpture that was 4 stories tall, intricately detailed, and really just astounding. \u00a0A ramp wove its way around the piece, with seafaring artifacts lining the walls, so that you could see everything up close including the rowboat captured in the whale’s mouth, the seagulls hanging from the ceiling, the giant eye of the octopus, the frothy 2 story waves, and the barnacles encrusting the whale’s sides.<\/p>\n There’s much, much more in the House on the Rock. \u00a0The 2 sections that we walked through took us over 2 hours. \u00a0All the tours, though, end with the famous carousel. \u00a0Where all of the darkness and creepiness and fantastical-ness of the House on the Rock merge into the largest indoor carousel, with over 20,000 lights, whirling amidst a ceiling of mannequin angels, and tinkling music.<\/p>\n And not a single creature on the carousel is actually a horse.<\/p>\n Because carousels with horses are for boring houses. \u00a0 And after the House on the Rock, I was afraid a boring house was what the kids would think of the next house. \u00a0Just a few miles down the street is\u00a0Taliesin<\/a>. \u00a0I wanted to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece but since the shortest tour was 2 hours, was almost $60 per person, and not recommended for kids under 12, I was a bit hesitant. \u00a0I settled for the Hillside Studio and Theatre tour which was cheaper and shorter and prepared myself for whiny kids tagging along behind me. \u00a0But the tour guide was excellent and the main building, originally being a school house run by Frank Lloyd Wright’s aunts, was actually relevant for the kids. \u00a0The space was open and welcoming and the tour guide spent a lot of time explaining the various insignia and mottos throughout the buildings<\/p>\n The dining room was fabulous, we saw architecture students at work in the studio, and even sat in the theatre with its famous curtain.<\/p>\n Not only did the kids tolerate the tour well, they all said they really enjoyed it. \u00a0Well done, Frank Lloyd Wright.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n