Springfield, Illinois: Where Lincoln's Ghost Judges Your Pizza Choices
okay, so springfield. it’s…a place. i ended up here because my van, bless its rusty soul, decided it needed a ‘rest’ approximately three miles outside of town. and honestly? i’m not even mad.
let me preface this by saying i’m a *ghost hunter, okay? not like, a serious one with EMF readers and sage, more like a “i’ll talk to anything that feels a bit chilly” kind of hunter. and springfield? dripping with history, and therefore, probably ghosts. especially lincoln. everyone here talks about lincoln. like, constantly.
so, the weather. i just checked and it’s…actively trying to be spring, but mostly succeeding at being damp. the air feels like a cold hug, and the humidity is hovering around eighty-seven percent. my hair is officially a sentient being. the readings said 5 degrees, but it feels like you’re standing inside a refrigerator that’s questioning your life choices. pressure’s normal, thankfully, or i’d suspect lincoln was personally messing with the atmosphere.
my neighbors, well, they’re mostly cornfields. and a surprisingly aggressive flock of geese. if you get restless, Chicago is a good three-hour drive, but honestly, i’m finding a weird peace in the quiet.
food-wise…it’s midwestern. lots of casserole. i tried a local pizza place, “Papa Joe’s,” and someone told me - and i quote - “don’t order the sausage, unless you want to question your existence.” apparently, it’s a bit…ambitious. i went with pepperoni, and it was fine. perfectly adequate. i also stumbled upon a fantastic little bakery called “Sweet Surrender” - seriously, check it out here. their apple pie is worth risking lincoln’s judgment for.
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“oh, honey, don’t go near the Old State House after dark. they say Lincoln walks the halls, looking for people who didn’t vote.”
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that was old man Hemlock at the diner. he also warned me about the squirrels. apparently, they’re organized. i haven’t seen any evidence of squirrel espionage yet, but i’m keeping an eye out.
gear-wise, for a trip like this (aka, stranded-with-a-van-and-a-ghost-hunting-obsession), you need:
a really good flashlight (mine is currently flickering ominously)
a portable charger (because ghosts drain your battery)
a comfortable pair of boots (for wandering around cemeteries)
a healthy dose of skepticism (but also, a willingness to believe)
and, crucially, a spare tire (lesson learned).
I overheard someone at the *local tavern saying the best place to learn about the city’s history is the Springfield Art & History Museum https://www.springfieldartmuseum.org/. I’m planning on checking it out tomorrow, if the squirrels don’t get to me first. Honestly, this place is growing on me. It’s weird, it’s a little spooky, and it’s definitely…unique. Plus, the van mechanic said he might* be able to look at it on tuesday. so, yeah. springfield. it’s a vibe. you can find more info on TripAdvisor.
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