Visiting Lincoln  

This cool weather has me daydreaming about warm weather days past, and the occasions over the years when I felt silly enough to go somewhere barefoot.

Several years ago, on a rainy road trip day through southern Indiana, I ventured down U.S. 231 to see the Lincoln boyhood historic site. I wore a rain hoodie with my old clothes, and I’d kicked off my sandals in the car. Once I arrived at the visitors’ lot for the cabin and farm, I wondered if anyone would mind if I didn’t put my shoes back on? The prospect seemed so pleasant, to be barefoot outdoors! One way to find out…

I walked up the path to the restored historic farm, in my rainy-day outfit and bare feet. I thought, This is a totally foolish thing to be doing! But I felt pleasingly audacious, and the warm rain on the mulch felt wonderful, as did the rough texture of the cabin floor. The interpreter at the cabin, in period costume, greeted me warmly and explained the site, and since I’ve studied Lincoln’s life, we chatted about the great man and his times.

There were no other guests at that moment, so the guide walked me to other aspects of the farm, perhaps glad for an informed visitor, and seemingly amused that I’d no shoes on—an unintended pioneer style (although my hoodie wasn’t authentic for 1818)…

What fun, just to stay barefoot! Thus all these whimsical memories.