Thursday, May 1, 2014

Abe Lincoln + cheese sauce = romantic vacation.

My Guy and I went on a little belated anniversary celebration road trip. Because we are collectively 800 years old, we traveled to Springfield, Illinois, home of Abraham Lincoln. Or, as we now call him, Abe. Because that's how we roll.
Us chillin' with the A to the L. And in no way is this a completely unflattering, psycho killer photo of me. Nope. No way.
The museum and Abe's house were mega cool. Like any good trip, they left us wanting to learn more, more, more! Did you know Abe is the only president to hold a patent?

Yep.

My Guy and I stayed at a quaint inn in what was the first upscale apartment building in Springfield. An upscale apartment building built by a self-made awesome businesswoman. In 1909. No biggie.

The inn met My Guy's 1 and only criteria for hotel stays: we didn't have to eat breakfast at the same table as a bunch of randoms. However, we got to listen in on the breakfast conversations of some interesting folks.

One woman was regaling her man friend with how she found out her dad was shacked up with a girlfriend even though he was in theory living with her mom. Hint: If your boyfriend is still married, don't have a picture on your desk of his grandkid, and then tell all your coworkers that the cute baby is your boyfriend's grandchild.

Another table spent their breakfast discussing the Holocaust. Instead of being thoughtful, this convo was peppered with comments like, "Do you know how many camps were in Poland? A lot. Since I'm a teacher, I teach my kids that."

And then there was the table that was trying to figure out what movie that woman from that one show was in. And because it's rude to eavesdrop, I had to use superhuman strength not to be all, "'The Year of Living Dangerously!' It was 'The Year of Living Dangerously,' which I've never even seen, but I know because I'm a human IMDB!"

Sigh. Even on vacation, I'm working.

Speaking of working it, the husband and I totally ate our way around town. It was good. We are now fat. And on our last night in town, we took on the local specialty, The Horseshoe.

The horseshoe is a piece of Texas toast with the meat of your choice piled on top. Then, that's covered with a gallon of cheese sauce. And then the whole mess is suffocated with about 7 pounds of French fries.
Behold the culinary awesomeness!
When this entrée arrived at our table, My Guy moaned just a bit. Then he asked me, "What do we doooo?"

Well, we dug in. Or, more accurately, I chowed down on my spinach salad and ate some of his horseshoe's fries.

Half a horseshoe later, My Guy was kind of whimpering. It was delicious, but it was a bit much. Like all road trips, there comes a time to go home.

It was time to go home and eat nothing but rice for several days. We're eating rice, and we're sad about the lack of eavesdropping opportunities in our house.

9 comments:

Violet said...

I grew up in Champaign, IL, which is about 90 minutes east of Springfield. You sure saw about all there is to see in Springfield! :D Abe's house and the museum are both really cool. If you'd asked, I would have recommended that you visit the Dana Thomas House, which is a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Springfield.

The picture? Makes Abe look a little psycho killer, too.

Kari said...

Wait, where do you live??
Not sure I remember where.
My parents used to live in Peoria for seven years so we went to that museum.
It was pretty awesome and I totally call him Abe.
Well, we can do that in Illinois because of the whole LAND OF LINCOLN thing.
Also, I have never had a horseshoe but I have always wanted one.

Anonymous said...

I live in Illinois but have not been to the Lincoln site. However, I have been to his birthplace in KY. There were no Horseshoes there. Well, there were horseshoes because it's Kentucky, but not the kind you are referring to.
Also, I do not like to share the table at hotels either, but eavesdropping is my favorite.

Becky Brown said...

I didn't know you're from Champaign! Papa Del's pizza is infamous in my family, and my dad makes a pilgrimage every year.

We totally toured the Dana-Thomas house. It was amazing, like being inside a jewel. My Guy now wants to scout other FLW homes, which I support 110%.

Becky Brown said...

I live in KC. As for the horseshoe, I highly recommend snagging a few bites from a friend and calling it good.

Becky Brown said...

Shannon, you should go. You know, in all your free time. But it's seriously cool.

Cassi said...

The horseshoe sounds like a good meal to split about six ways :-)

Violet said...

Papa Del's may be the best pizza in the world. Hmmm, BFF is coming to visit from C-U next week - maybe I can bribe her to bring frozen Pop's with her!

So glad you saw the Dana Thomas House! You're absolutely right, it is like being inside a jewel. If you haven't read Loving Frank, you should. It's a fictionalized account of his life.

Anonymous said...

How could you resist shouting the right answer?
Sounds like a good time...for a couple of really OLD people (hahaha).
Wisconsin boasts no presidents, but maybe for your next anniversary???