ABE THE GREAT — The Weekly Opine

This miniaturized version of the Lincoln Memorial is inside the entrance at Lincoln’s tomb. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

About time

Anyone who’s put on a few years will attest to this; as you age life seems to glide by faster than it did when you were youthful. One of the reasons is, as a youngin’ you experience more things for the first time. When you become older fresh, new experiences happen less frequently. Certainly, retirement years enable you to plan for more first-time experiences that serve to reinvigorate your body, soul and mind.

Last weekend, Springfield, Illinois, offered up such an opportunity. The primary purpose of the trip was to attend a wedding involving my significant significant other’s family. That felt like a new experience considering it’d been seven years since I last attended a wedding.

Weddings are customarily fun occasions and last weekend achieved that standard. I met a bunch of new people. The reception was held at a unique, unusual location – a large, barn-like structure in a rural area. The food was simply delicious. We laughed and danced and thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

Pre-wedding, on Saturday morning, we ate brunch at Lulu’s Diner, a classic diner with a well-worn sign. Lulu’s was so good we went back for breakfast on Sunday, served by a woman who classically referred to everyone as “sweetie.”

The trip’s bonus was one of those experiences that was brand new (and long overdue given that Springfield is an easy 3-hour drive from home).

On Thursday, we walked from our outsized hotel (outsized compared to all the other buildings in downtown Springfield) over to the neighborhood where Abraham Lincoln lived. The neighborhood has been restored to appear like it did in 1860. Lincoln’s home is the exact home he lived in, filled with many original artifacts. For example, the stove is the original stove as are many pieces of furniture. Period pieces complete the “look,” resulting in a charming home.

Friday morning, we drove to Oak Ridge Cemetery to visit Lincoln’s tomb. Oak Ridge is the second most visited cemetery in the U.S., behind hallowed Arlington National Cemetery. It is a tranquil place, with an obelisk towering over Lincoln’s tomb that is visible as you enter the main gate. Having visited Ford’s Theatre, standing in John Wilkes Booth’s footsteps just outside the box where Lincoln was seated when he was assassinated, made witnessing Lincoln’s final resting place a more emotional, reverent moment.

We learned that Lincoln’s remains were exhumed and moved 17 times after his initial interment, due to construction at his tomb and because of threats from Confederate sympathizers’ intent on kidnapping Lincoln’s body. Lincoln’s casket was opened five times to confirm he was still in place.

The last time Lincoln’s casket was opened was in 1901. Officials discovered he was in perfect condition, thanks to all the embalming fluid used when his body embarked on the long, slow train ride from Washington, D.C., to Springfield. To guarantee he would finally rest in peace, Lincoln’s casket was lowered 10 feet below the floor in his tomb and encased in a steel cage, with two tons of concrete poured on top. Abraham Lincoln would never be disturbed again, resting in peace for eternity.

Trips to the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum revealed a trove of artifacts as well. All serving to reinforce Lincoln’s stature as the greatest American in U.S. history.

Below are photo highlights from our trip for the ages to Springfield, Illinois.