One of the Big Lessons I have learned since I hit the road back in 2014 is that you should never pass up the opportunity to use the bathroom.
I thought the brickwork was interesting.
There were flamingos in the garden, too. Where is an Airstream when you need one?
I stopped for the night in Bloomington, Illinois. I checked online reviews for an interesting restaurant for a last dinner courtesy of the company. I decided to dine at Epiphany Farms and I headed downtown.
I parked and headed toward the restaurant, but this statue caught my eye. I headed over to check it out.
It turns out that it is a fountain known as Trotter Fountain.
The text on the sign says:
“The Trotters, immigrants of the Great Potato Famine in Ireland, were prominent Bloomington businessmen and philanthropists. John was a three-term mayor, and his sister, Georgina, ran a thriving lumber, coal, and grain business on West Market Street near the family home. Georgina was the first woman elected to the Board of Education and was said to be the first woman to become a naturalized American citizen. The last surviving Trotter sibling, James, willed funds to the city for a state to be erected in his family’s honor. Trotter fountain was designed by the wold renowned sculptor, Lord Taft, of Illinois. Made of Georgia marble, it depicts Native American maidens and children and was dedicated during a lavish celebration on May 30, 1911.”
With my commitment to tourism satisfied, I headed over to Epiphany Farms.
I perused the menu and made my selections. While I was waiting, they brought me a little treat for me to enjoy while I was waiting.
It was a little snack.
And I sipped on a mason jar filled with cool water. No ice. No lemon. Just cool water. It tasted lovely.
I had soup.
A salad.
Apparently, I had a second salad.
I finished off the meal with some coffee.
I wish I could say that I thought the meal was great. It wasn’t quite to my liking. But, then, people who know me know that I don’t have the most adventurous palate.
After dinner, I decided to take a little drive around – just to see what I could see.
What do you know about that? I found Normal! (And, it’s not even the new Normal.)
I also found the Normal theater.
The light display was amazing!
One more sleep and then I’ll be home.