I took a field trip with my class, from Boston 1768, to Illinois, 1775. While I was there, I met a man named, Captain Ira Parke. He told me all about his life. He was born in the Prussian providence of Brandenburg and there he received his early education. He was very kind and had a lot of funny characteristics. He made jokes about many different things. I know that he was very serious when it came to the French, Natives, and the British people. He feared that a civil war might be brewing back in the east, which would be disastrous for them. I learned many things. Some were life lessons but some were things about adventure. I learned that he once traveled up the Missouri to the Platte route to the Rocky Mountains. He was very eager and loved to explore. He told me a life lesson too. It was that you should always love to laugh, but sometimes you should hold it in. I told him that I worked at an inn as an innkeeper. He said that he goes to the same inn that I work at! What a coincidence! He said that recently, he had began to invest in land in this area. He also said he spends many enjoyable at my inn, and engaged in lively political discussions. I had so much fun meeting him and hope to see him again!