Yoda

 Bear

Just when you thought  it was safe to refold the map ... Sept and Oct 2007 Cont.
This year Cherry, IL marks the 97th year since one of the worst mining disasters in history occurred there..  259 men and boys lost their lives - 21 were rescued after 8 days sealed in underground with no water or food, no light and poison gasses filtering into their space.  We drove over to see the memorial and learn more about it.

The Workmen's' Compensation Law came into effect as well as many mine safety laws because of this incident. 

We invited Aunt Donna to go with us to visit the site.  Here I am with her reading the Historical Marker in the park at Cherry.
This is what is left of the mines.

This is the Memorial at the Miner's Cemetery and some of the headstones.

Aunt Donna was talking to her friend, Jackie, and found out that not only was she raised just one town away from Cherry but her great-grandfather was one of the men trapped down in the mine and was in the last group of men that were rescued.  Jackie had lots of photos to share with us and lent us two books to read about the disaster:  Trapped  by  Karen Tintiori and Black Damp by Steve Stout. Thank you, Jackie.
After visiting Cherry we drove to Bishop Hill and Mom and Aunt Donna had lunch at the Red Oak.  They both love the cheese soup and although I cannot have any, I got a nice treat and a cool drink before we headed back home.

In Oct. we are going to see the Star Wars Exhibit in Chicago.  Mom says we will also take the Great River Road and go into Nauvoo to see a few things and on into Hannibal, MO so I can learn about Tom, Huck and Molly Brown..  Before we come home we will visit the Lincoln Museum and Library in Springfield...   AND I am going to attend Cousin Molly's wedding in November, so keep checking on my adventures.  Happy Trails!

 

I have a new black collar and "wallet" for my tags.  I'm looking good for my next road trip and I'm ready to go!!
Here we are in Chicago to see the Star Wars Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry.  I got to see the original YODA and some other great characters.

 Obi Wan greeted us at the entrance to the exhibit.

Lots of costumes and space ship models too.

I met Eric and had my picture taken with him and Yoda and also with R2D2 and C-3PO.  Is that Princess Leia over there? 

 

 

We also learned about DNA and how to be our own toy maker and go into business if Mom wants to retire someday.
   
       
 

 

What a treat to be able to see all the exhibits and meet so many nice people. 

On to the rest of our trip, Nauvoo, IL, Hannibal, MO, Springfield and back to Lincoln, IL.  What fun!

In Nauvoo we stopped to see the grave site of James Smith and went through the museum.  They give both walking tours and tours in a horse drawn wagon. 

The trip along the Mississippi Great River Route was beautiful and you drive right next to the river in some spots.  Here is a really big house they are building and a picture of the river. We also saw some big chairs, a big ice cream cone and a really big coffee mug!

We started our tour of Hannibal with the historical downtown section.  The fence Tom got his friends to paint and the house Samuel Clemens lived in as a young man.   Here I am at the museum.  They have lots of good stuff there including original Norman Rockwell paintings.

We also visited Florida, Mo.  That is where Mr. Clemens was born and they built a visitor's center around the house he was born in.  This is the original Tom Sawyer manuscript.  Wow!

Here I am with Shayna Mundell, of Barks N' Bites on Main Street in Hannibal.  I got to meet a new friend and got treats to take home with me too. Sadly the Molly Brown home is boarded up.  We don't know if they will be remodeling or if they have closed it.  She was a great lady and we look forward to learning more about her another time.
After Hannibal we drove to Springfield and I had my picture taken at the Abraham Lincoln statues in Union Square Park, across from the Lincoln Museum and Library.  I had just met Jim and I had my picture taken with him too.

The Presidential Museum and Library are awesome!  Pictures were not allowed inside the exhibits so we don't have many to show you.  If you are ever in the area make this a "must see" on your trip! 

There was an exhibit of paper dresses at the Library and I got my picture taken with one.
I even got to meet a Union Soldier! Our last event was the largest covered wagon!  It is in Lincoln and we missed it by one block on our last trip.  They were doing a lot of road construction so I did not get to get out and have my picture taken but instead Mom took a picture from the car.

On November 10th, I went to cousin Molly and Tavis' wedding.  I wore my new bow tie and got to meet new friends. 

Best wishes Molly and Tavis!!

Barb, my groomer, (that's her with her husband and Robin and Jim, parents to the bride) made sure I looked very special and I got to see her later at the wedding.  She is Molly's aunt.

On Feb. 2, 2008, we lost our beloved Aunt Donna.. 
We will miss her all of our lives.