Here is one of my first fall pictures and so far my only fall pic. Where is the color at? Maybe some of this rain will help. This pic was taken near Lincoln's Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. That one little tree really stood out in contrast to the "still" green trees around it.

Last Friday we went to Springfield to visit with my brother, Brian, my sister-in-law, Judy and their friends son, John who came along with them for the trip. They came down from Northfield, Minnesota. John visited Lincoln's Museum and we met him downtown and ate at the Livery. Then we went out to Lincoln's Tomb so he could see that. Everyone always rubs Lincoln's nose on the statue outside the tomb, as you can see by how shiny-bright it is. And by the way, if you've never visited Lincoln's Museum, you really need to make a special effort to do so. It is more than well worth the trip!

Here is a full-view of Lincoln's Tomb.

We had lunch here!

Here is my brother, Brian, getting read to tackle his "ponyshoe". He and I cheated and didn't get the full version!

This is a "ponyshoe" a small version of the "horseshoe". What you ask is a "horseshoe", other than the obvious, of course? Well, you won't find a "horseshoe" anywhere but Springfield, Il. It was founded in 1930 and originated at the Red Lion Room at the Leland Hotel in downtown Springfield. It consists of two slices of Toast (that's the pad on the shoe), Meat of your choice (that's the shoe itself), topped by a generous portion of French Fries (they are the nails of course), all topped with genuine, Leland Hotel recipe Cheese Sauce! The Cheese Sauce is the finish on the shoe and makes THE HORSESHOE a Springfield delicacy. Yum! Now that's artery clogging stuff right there!

Here is John's own version of the horseshoe.....he added some more chili cheese fries on top! Did he manage to eat it all? No!! But he gave it a good try.

Here is my sister-in-law, Judy, standing in from the The Livery where was had lunch in downtown Springfield.

Another interesting fact about me is that The Donner Party (Donner Pass) is part of my past. The Donners were my ancestors. They departed from Springfield, Illinois. This plaque is across from the old court house in Springfield, my birthplace.