Last week we enjoyed a nice getaway. Instead of spending the week in professional development, meetings, work days and "Meet the Teacher Night", I was on a road trip. It was a switch since this is the first time in 30 years that I haven't been going through those preparations and while I was mindful of my school family, I am happy with the transition and had a great time. We went to southern Indiana to see Lincoln's childhood sites and Santa Claus!
The NPS has done a terrific job of creating an interesting place to learn about the years Lincoln and his family were in that area. They offer displays, a museum, historical movie and more. The property also houses a living farm and the graves of some Lincoln family.
The living farm is outstanding. Guests walk the fields, grounds and buildings while volunteers (dressed in period clothing) teach visitors about what it was like in Lincoln days. They even have animals on the farm including this authentic cow (yes, she has horns) because she is a devon and that is the breed which would have been common in Lincoln's days.
She has a sweet calf. See him by the corn crib?
Directly across the street, is the lovely Lincoln State Park where we stayed. It's a gorgeous setting which houses additional Lincoln sites.
This is a handsome Lincoln bust in Bicentennial Plaza in the park.
We stayed by Lincoln Lake which is a small, but pretty, body of water.
Lincoln Park is heavily wooded, peaceful and quiet. It was our first experience of staying in a state park and we were very pleased. At just over $20 a night, it was a bargain. Best of all, it is so convenient to everything Lincoln! We were able to walk everywhere and covered many miles doing so.
Santa Claus is Lincoln Park's next door neighbor, but too far to make it on foot. So, we drove down the road to visit the Santa Claus Museum one day. This 22 foot tall statue of the jolly elf has stood since 1935.
The museum contained a lot of good local history. The former Post Office building stands on the same property and now serves as a center where children can write Santa a letter to leave for him.
The original Santa Claus church is also there and is open for people to walk through. A permanent, decorated Christmas tree stands in the corner. Of course I would think that is a perfect touch! :) This complex was right next door to Holiday World--the United States' oldest amusement park. We found the history of that particular establishment interesting, but did not care to spend the day at the park. It is highly popular, though, and the parking lot was crammed with cars!
I will leave you with last week's "Tuesday's Tablescape"!
