We rented a car and took of early Sunday morning, I had to work the night before and didn't get to bed until quite late. So needless to say I really don't recall the drive at all..which is not good considering I was the driver! We arrived in Champaign about 9:30am, the "meetings" were still going on, at the local churches the streets were too quiet. I think we have become to citified, and miss the constant roar of sirens and horns 24-7. Eventually we find a Starbucks like a mirage on a desert, everyone was extremely friendly! We couldn't get over how genuinely nice people were!!! Again too citified. From there we took a walk to the Campus and found the Library Sciences Building where Paul would be attending classes. It was straight out of a movie! These massive red brick buildings with ivory coloured sculptures and architecture!!! Surrouned by green grass, and trees! We took a walk around the whole campus and got a feel for the place. By now it was getting closer to brunch time, so we ducked into a local brunch place, really it was the only place open at the time. It was nice to see that stores still stay closed somewhere on Sundays. Our server was fantastic! Really nice guy, gave us some advice on where to live and not live, he moved back here from Hawaii after being away for 10 years. If he could live there I could live there. Can't be all bad. After spending the rest of the day looking into apartments and getting to know the surrounding areas, it was time to head back. (insert mini meltdown here) It just hit my "Holy crap I have to find a job again!" The thought of starting over in a small town freaked me out, given how hard a time I had finding a job in Chicago. Paul being the great man that he is talked me off the ledge, (he is very good at this now) and promised me a Shamrock Shake on our way back home. All was well in my world.
Stage two of our road trip was heading back to Chicago, it was getting dark now, we are getting hungry and Paul had seen a road sign for "Cracker Barrel", now I know the cheese and have always been a fan, but had no idea there was a restaurant! Paul was begging me to find the Cracker Barrel, so I could "experience" it. Finally we make the exit, in yet an even smaller town. It looks like a giant gray barn, with heaps of rocking chairs on the porch. I am now thinking "Where in the hell am I? Little house on the prairie?" You walk inside and its a hudge souvenir store, selling toys, floral dresses, anything that says "God Bless America, and this Garden", John Deere paraphernalia, Candy, and dvd's! I look at Paul and suggest we are in the wrong place, he ushers me to the back of the store and there is the hostess stand. The 17 year old girl running it shows us to our table. I look around and I am now surrounded by old farm equipment and photographs from 1920's and older. Not to mention we are the youngest couple in there. Very American, that is the best I can describe the vibe. We order our food, Paul being a vegetarian could only find a grill cheese sandwich to eat. I orders marinated chicken tenders, which turned out to be a boneless chicken breast that has been cut up for me. I kid you not!
It was definitely and experience!