Illinois, September 2013

Despite growing up only one state away, I began this journey with almost no experience of Illinois aside from a quick dash to Chicago once or twice. I had always loved that city, the way it exuded Midwestern manners and big city opportunities, its industrial strength and ability to move forward no matter the season. I knew if I started there I would likely not leave it, so I planned my trip to begin in practically the dead center, at Springfield, where I could explore the Land of Lincoln before moving clockwise around the state to end in the City of the Big Shoulders. It was close enough to drive, so I packed Tamu up in the car and headed west. After one or two stops along the way, we arrived at the end of summer ready to take on the whole state.