Springfield, Illinois - #48

I spent the weekend with Eric and Kristine Hufford and Eric's family in Chicago. I spent a few hours walking around Chicago. We worked on building a loft bed for Eric and Kristine. I thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of the Hufford's. After this, I spent several days visiting friends in Mahomet. I stayed at the Behern's place for several days and basically relaxed and visited friends.After several relaxing days, I took off for Springfield, Illinois. Now, I've been to the city of Springfield many times before, since I lived in Illinois for six years, but I needed to make it official and go to the capital building. After taking a shot next to Lincoln himself, I went inside where I found myself in the midst of a political something or another going on. I went into the senate area...and this girl, who was once a tour guide spent about 1/2 an hour telling me about the archecture and everything about the legislation. I decided that I needed to take off and was feeling abit of information overload. As I left, it began to rain. It poured. After I got in the car I turned on the radio and heard that there was a tornado watch. Sirens began to go off in the capital building and everyone was forced to go to the underground area. Everyone was stuck in the building. Fortunately I had gotten out only a few minutes prior to the sirens and was headed south on I-55. I met up with Justin and his friends at some Shakespeare play in the park. Flew out of St. Louis on Friday morning. I tagged eleven state capitals on this trip and put 5,000 miles on the rental car. Now I have finished the 48 state capitals and will have to wait for an opportunity to head to Hawaii and Alaska.

Lansing, Michigan - #47

I was originally going to take a ferry boat across lake Michigan, but decided it was a bit pricey, so I drove through Chicago and around the southern tip of Lake Michigan - hitting Illinois, Indiana and back up to Michigan.

I don't remember much about this capital building other than I barely got inside to use the washroom before they were about to close and there was something important about the red door.

Madison, Wisconsin - #46

This is a great capital! The capital is part of a square - shops and stores surround it. Maybe I enjoyed it because it was at night. The area was nicely lit and I enjoyed the cool evening. I stayed overnight in Madison.

St. Paul, Minnesota - #45

Some biker stopped to take my picture, but I chose this one instead. After this, I headed over the Mall of America and did two laps around the mall. Its definitely not as impressive as West Edmonton Mall - sorry USA.

Bismarck, North Dakota - #44

So, I was taking pictures of another building, cause I thought it was the capital until I looked at the engraving in bold letters that said, "Liberty Memorial" and then realized I had the wrong building. Well, I have to give myself some credit this capital building doesn't look like a "regular" capital building. Someone told me that the old one burned down and they had to build a new one. This building is the tallest in the state of North Dakota. I think I stayed overnight in Fargo.

Helena, Montana - #43

I spent a day viewing Mount Rushmore and then later Devil's Tower, Wyoming. Headed west I could finally see the mountains! It was over cast today....one of the only rainy days on this road trip.

Pierre, South Dakota - #42

I stayed in Sioux City and spent some time enjoying Sioux Falls. Very cool spot. The Missouri River flows through Sioux City (largest city in South Dakota)...and also flows through Pierre (the state capital)Pierre is the second smallest state capital (population of city). Then I was off to the Badlands National Park and stayed in Rapid City.

Des Moines, Iowa - #41

Here is Des Moines, Iowa's state capital. Some stranger took this picture. Notice the gold plated dome.

Lincoln, Nebraska - #40

After Topeka, I headed across the plains to the Swedish town of Lindsborg to visit with Justin and Jenny McKnight. I was treated to a delicious supper and a trip to Coronado State Park which had a great view of the land. Stayed with the McKnight's and the next day headed due north for Nebraska.The Lincoln capital building is the second tallest state capital. Lots of lawn around this building....maybe too much. I asked a stranger to take my picture and she really struggled at getting a good shot. She finally landed a good one.

Topeka, Kansas - #39

I stayed in Kansas City and viewed the World War I Memorial, which has a great view of Kansas City; Grand Central Station and also went to Bodies Revealed - awesome yet kind of creepy.
From Kansas city I drove to Topeka. So they were doing construction on the capital building in Topeka. I guess these buildings are not eternal.

Jefferson City, Missouri - #38

I flew to St. Louis on May 14 and hung out with Justin, Bret and Jenna for a few days. Then headed out on Friday after dropping Justin off at the airport. Rented a Crysler Sebring convertable. Exact same look as the one I rented the year before...but this one only had 2000 miles on it. Took off for Jefferson City. Beautiful day. Jefferson City sits along the Missouri River. The capital grounds have some cool fountains and a great view of the Missouri River.