A trip to Southern Illinois Part 4 of 4

We headed north to Springfield Illinois. On the way we stopped at the Sugar Creek Covered Bridge near Chatham, IL. 

After we arrived in Springfield, we went to Scheels, a large sporting goods store. We just wanted to move around and thought this would be a good place. When we walked in, there was a small crowd at the large fish tank. (Yes, they have a LARGE fishtank and a ferris wheel in this place!) Then we noticed the 'mermaid'. She was wearing scuba gear and was cleaning the tank! It was interesting to watch.

We were in Springfield for 2 nights so we had a full day to enjoy the area. We began that day at Peace and Applique, a quilt shop in Rochester, IL. I haven't been there in years but always liked this shop. It's now more than twice as big as the last time I was there!

Color wall in first room

Floor in bathroom - yardsticks!

I found the last thing on my list - navy fabric for a binding! I think a striped binding will be interesting on this quilt.

Then I shopped and found some blenders that I know I will use.

The lady working made these shoes. They had kits and it was tempting but I have quilts to make!

The second stop was at Sew Sweet Quilt Shop in Springfield. This is a relatively new shop (4 years in Springfield) and I thought small so I didn't think I'd find much. Ha! The owner is great and has a gorgeous shop which has lots of fabric. 

just one aisle of many

I'll definitely stop the next time I'm in the area. I found more blenders and a red wide back that I know I will need in the near future. 

We asked for lunch recommendations at Sew Sweet and were sent two minutes away to Charlie Parker's Diner, a longtime fixture in Springfield. Ray had the Breakfast Shoe.

Ray's Breakfast Shoe

I had the special - a Sloppy Joe and it was wonderful!

In the afternoon, we visited the Washington Park Botanical Gardens. There weren't a lot of flowers blooming in the conservatory but the orchids were gorgeous. 

The grounds were beautiful and we did find some pretty flowers.

The rose garden surrounds the trellis

Next stop was the Illinois State Fairgrounds. I didn't realize Ray had never been there so that made the stop more fun. We checked out the Illinois Product Farmers Market and found produce, baked goods, hand crafted goods, .... We left with two fried pies since we wouldn't be doing any cooking and couldn't use any of the great looking produce.

While at the fairgrounds, we saw the Illinois Route 66 Experience. It was fun to walk through. We talked to a young man who was traveling in the VW van that I thought was part of the exhibit. He and his wife began in California and were following Route 66. 

Almost everything brought back good memories.

I really want a pecan log.

There were a few Burma-Shave signs. One group read:

                                GET YOUR KICKS

                                IS WHAT THEY SAY

                                THE MOTHER ROAD

                                IS THE ONLY WAY

                                ~The Illinois Route 66 Experience

And another:

                                BIG MISTAKE

                                MANY MAKE

                                RELY ON THE HORN

                                INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE

                                ~Burma-Shave

  

To end the day, we went back to Washington Park to the 

International Carillon Festival. It was opening night of the 64th festival! We enjoyed sitting in the park with many others and listening to some beautiful music.

And just like that, it was the last day of our trip. Our drive home. staying off the interstates, was uneventful. We decided that ChatGPT did a great job suggesting and helping to plan this trip. The trip was very relaxing and enjoyable.