Back from Vacation: A Travel Diary of a Trip Back Home to Springfield, IL

We just spent the weekend as tourists in my home town. My parents don't live there anymore, and we didn't call any of my school friends.

We just went and took in the sites as tourists, and waves of nostalgia rushed over me just about everywhere we went. I finally felt affectionate about the town I said I would never live in again.

Day 1: The Illinois State Fair. I'd say it was a pretty typical fair experience, complete with disgusting food, expensive rides, and free buttons, posters, stickers, and lots of junk to bring home. Of course, the cow carved from butter is always impressive, and I suppose I should have taken a picture of the 11 year old boy eating a deep fried snickers bar on a stick, but it was pretty gross looking. I spared us all from that one.

I did get this shot of the little guy on the car ride. I think his face here says it all. He was so happy, it almost made me cry to think he was big enough to ride rides all by himself. (Did I mention he starts preschool in a couple of weeks??)

We had to finish the fair day with a last ride on the sky ride. When I was a little girl, my dad usually worked a booth at the fair, so I went almost every day, every year, and the sky ride was always my favorite part. It is a very relaxing way to take it all in one last time as you glide over the whole fair, trying to not to drop your camera or your flip flops.

After leaving the fair, we checked into the well known downtown establishment the flashlight hotel. It has a real name, but as a little girl it was the flashlight hotel. That is what my kids are calling it now too.

We took a late night out to a place called Cafe Brio where the grown ups could get drinks and the kids could get tapas, and everyone got a little nutty, and mama found herself stumbling drunk after less than two glasses of wine. Booths way back in the back of busy restaurants on a Friday night are a blessing to parents everywhere, as Desi decided a night on the town was the best place around for shakin bootie.

Pictures from days 2 & 3 will be soon to follow.

For now, it's good to be back in town, but now we must head off to our beloved city park with friends, a stop at the farmer's market, and school supply shopping for all.

It really is home sweet home.