Bookish Vacations

My co-worker Becky and I have sort of started to do this thing. Every other summer we've decided to go somewhere bookish. She is an eighth grade literature and language teacher (Well, was I guess. She retired this year. But for real. Once a teacher, always a teacher!) Her love of books and authors rivals my own. Our first trip was two summers ago. We traveld to Prince Edward Island to do all things Anne of Green Gables and L.M. Montgomery related. It was so much fun! This year we're staying a little closer to home since we plan to go out east to visit places related to Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, and anyone else we can think of on our next trip. But back to this trip... we are leaving today to do a mini road trip through.... Indiana! So exciting, right ;) But seriously. It's going to be great. I thought I'd share some of our trip agenda with you guys :)

First things first... what's a road trip without snacks and entertainment?!?!

We'll be listening to the audiobook of The Hobbit since we're visiting the desk it was written and illustrated on. Also, we both need a re-read before the movie is released!

Planned Stops:

Illinois:

Marion E. Wade Center Museum - This building is part of Wheaton College. Among other artifacts, it contains the wardrobe from C.S. Lewis' childhood and the desk that J.R.R. Tolkien used to write and illustrate The Hobbit.

Indiana:

James Whitcomb Riley Home - James Whitcomb Riley was a contemporary of Mark Twain. He was a poet and orator. There are a couple different houses/museums we're going to tour.

Sites mentioned in The Fault in our Stars by John Green - Duh. You know I'm a total John Green fangirl. Obviously I have to stop by the ruins at Holliday Park and Funky Bones!

The Limberlost - And now we come to the real reason Becky and I picked Indiana. We are huge Gene Stratton-Porter fans. We both fell in love with the Limberlost while reading books like Freckles and A Girl of the Limberlost. I've always wanted to visit her cabin and see the work being done to restore the swamplands. I'm pretty freaking excited to finally be going!

I'm sure we'll have some free time so if you have any ideas of fun/interesting things to do around Indianapolis and/or Fort Wayne let me know in the comments! Also, have you ever gone on any bookish adventures? Becky and I need some more ideas!