Trip On Route 66 June 4-10: To Springfield

I'm not sure when this was from as it was just in my draft section.  But it sure brings back better memories of a better time.  Sure looking forward to doing this soon.

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Earlier in June, which was why I did not post much that month, we took a ride along Route 66 in Illinois and Missouri.

JUNE 4, MONDAY--Took Il-47 to Dwight and then I-55 to Shirley, Illinois, where we got on Route 66.  Stopped at Dixie Truckers' Home and went to Atlanta, where we found a bridge on 66 south of town under construction.  Took I-55 to Springfield and got off.  Still sad to see Bill Shea's sitting there forlorn and abandoned.  Sadly, Norb Andy's is no more.

Enjoyed a couple at George Ranks' and then had our Cozy Dog fix.  Checked into the Route 66 Hotel and then went to the Curve Inn and finished the evening at the hotel bar.

--RoadDog

A 2019 Route 66 Trip to Lebanon, Missouri-- Part 1: To Springfield, Illinois

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12

Drove the usual way on Illinois Highway 47 to Dwight.  Then drove Route 66 to Chenoa and then to I-55 for the rest of the day to Springfield, Illinois.  First time ever that we were unable to  get a room at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center which was booked for a horse show and golf tournament in town.  Also, no room at the nearby Comfort Inn.

We went south to Toronto Road and got the last room at the Motel 6 and then back for our Cozy Dog fix.  Watched the first part of the Stanley Cup Game 7 contest between the St, Louis Blues and Boston Bruins.  Springfield is 100 miles from St. Louis and about half and half St. Louis and Chicago fans.  We saw the rest of the game at Motorheads on Route 66 on Toronto Road.  The place was packed with Blues fans.

We pulled for the Blues (even though we are Blackhawk fans) because they Midwest and no one wants to see another Boston/New England team win anything.

--RoadDog

About Last Weekend-- Part 3: Hardee's Breakfast, Saufen Und Spiel and Da Bears

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

We at Hardee's for breakfast.  We really like their breakfasts and were impressed with their new slider breakfast sandwiches.  Drove back to Spring Grove via the old way, Il-23 to Plank Road to Il-47 because of all the construction we encountered on the way to DeKalb yesterday.  This is the way we took from Palatine and later from Round Lake Beach.

Went to Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg and watched the annual Saufen Und Spiel parade to honor  the village's German heritage.  We decided not to go to the Community Club grounds where they had bands, food, and, of course, bier.

Home and some yardwork before going to Spring Grove Pub to watch the Bears-Packers game.  Both Liz and I pull for the Packers UNLESS they play Da Bears.  Specials at the Pub were $4.50 pitchers of beer and a $5 pizza buffet. It being a new place, there weren't too many people there, but the ones that were had a good time in the first half of the game.  The less said about the second half, the better.

Parades and Da Bears.  How Much Fun Is That?  --RoadDog

TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD:  It's frustrating to know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

N.C. Fall 2016: Day 1: The Usual

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

I have been driving this route so often, especially since Mom died in June, that things are starting to get very familiar.  I went to N.C. in June, July and now September.

After doing some last minute things on the internet, watering inside plants (primarily because for the life of me I couldn't remember if I'd done it yesterday or not) and packing, I left.  As usual, some small roads out to Ill-120, to Woodstock, then Illinois-47 to Mahomet.

I stoped in Dwight to eat at Hardee's and Mahomet at the BP.  Then I-74 the Crawfordsville Pilot station for gas, then to Indy and through it on I-70.  Usual stop  in Ohio at welcome center for motel coupon magazines and Englewood for Skyline Chili fix.

Drove to Columbus to Zanesville and stopped for the night at the Super 8.

--RoadDog

T-Giving 2015-- Day 1: Travel

November 24, 2015, Tuesday.

Drove Il-47 south from Woodstock, Illinois, to Mahomet. I had a back up for road construction at south of Stark's Corner by Il-72 and US-20.   Glad to report that the road construction through Yorkville is finally finished after at least two years and a great, four lane stretch the whole way.  I got gas at the Pilot at Crawfordsville, Indiana, for $1.66 a gallon.  I sure love these gas prices these days.  I never saw gas over $2 today.

Took I-74 from Mahomet to Indy and through town on I-70 and then on to Huber Heights, Ohio, where I got a room at the Days Inn.  I was glad to find a Skyline Chili by the motel and took advantage, having a four-way.

Gas prices on our side of I-70 were $1.66 as well, but $1.90 on the other side.  I was thinking about filling up, but decided to wait until tomorrow to do so.  More on this decision on the next post.

Went to BW3 (Buffalo Wild Wings) and played NTN while watching NIU put forth a lame effort against Ohio University.  I left in disgust at half time.

--RoadDog

Too Late, Too Cold and Too Late Again

Tuesday, April 21st, resulted in a very late, late leave time for us.  We didn't get away until 2:30 p.m., which put us right in the middle of rush hour from Huntley and Yorkville, Illinois, along Illinois Highway 47.  That road has a lot of traffic at anytime, but much worse during rush hour.

And, I am happy to report that we hit around 2/3 of the many, many stoplights on red, especially the forever one at Main Street in Huntley.

We stopped at the Route 66 Old Family Cafe in Dwight to eat, so got out Route 66 fix.

For this late in April, we had to dress warmly as it was big-time C-O-L-D!!!  Enough of this Global Blah-Blah-Blah.  It is way too cold for me.

We got to Champaign, Illinois, off I-74  and checked into the Super 8 Motel and watched the first three periods of the Blackhawk-Predator hockey playoff game at the TGIF's across the street.  Talked with a girl from Nashville, Tennessee, who was a big Predator fan.

I always hate it when the Hawks start at 8:30.  That is way too late.  Sadly, it was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation at 11:10. And, Friday's started closing at 11.  Liz and I went back to the motel and watched the first overtime and watched the first overtime, still no score.  i then fell asleep and the game went to the third before tthe Hawks won.

That Is Way Too Late.  --RoadDog

Spring Hasn't Sprung: NC Spring 2014-- Part 1

MARCH 23RD, SUNDAY: Extremely biting cold when leaving Illinois and stayed biting cold the whole way to Ohio. Enjoyed Rock and Roll Roots on WDRV and Breakfast With the Beatles on WXRT from 9 to 10 AM. Then, the Drive was doing Ten at Ten all weekend and got to hear 1972 until out of range. Took Il-120 to Il-47. south to I-74. Tried the new Burger King Big King (their answer to the Big Mac) at the Route 66 Burger King at the new Ambler-Becker gas station by I-55. It's as good as a Big Mac, but I wouldn't say any better. //// Took 47 to I-74 to Indianapolis. Gas at Crawfordsville, Ind. was $3.66 (Gas in Illinois $3.70- to $3.86). //// Picked up I-70 and east to Ohio where I had my Cincy Chili fix at Skyline Chili at Englewood. The other kind of gas was $3.40!!! Prooving that the farther you get from Chicago, the cheaper gas gets. //// The clerk at the Best Western was NICE enough to let me wait for two really, really long check-ins before informing me that there were no rooms available. Mighty nice of him!!! Continued on to Reynoldsburg, Ohio, outside of Columbus, before stopping for the night. //// Isn't It Supposed to get Warmer the Further South You Go? --RoadDogI-74

Just Got Back-- Carolina-Style BBQ, Philly Cheese Steak, and Autumn at Topsail

I was gone and On the Road the last two weeks from October 11th to the 25th.

The first day, I drove to Cincinnati via Illinois Highway 47 and I-74. Got together with road buddy Denny and had a great chicken meal at the Silver Spring House which dates to the 1930s. Then played NTN with his team at Buffalo Wild Wings and we had three Number threes on some games I really wasn't able to help much on as they were movies.

October 12th- Friday-- Drove on two of the great two laners I've ever been on, both in southern highway, Ohio 247 and Ohio 125. Talk about your roads following the contours of the land. Plus, 125 went through the beautiful Shawnee State Park. Caught I-64 and took it to the West Virginia Turnpike. I know that we two lane types disparage the interstates, or, Superslabs, as we call them. But, this drive is equal in beauty to anything a two lane can offer. I'd put it right up there with I-70 from where it starts in Utah , to Denver.

Took I-74 past Andy Griffith's hometown of Mt. Airy, NC, and picked up I-40 at Winston-Salem and all the way to Raleigh. I-40 is some of the heaviest driving you'll find anywhere. I mean, there are a LOT of cars and trucks on this road. Never a real pleasure to drive this road because of the congestion.

Decided to stop and get my first taste of Carolina-style pulled pork vinegar-based bbq at Smithfield's in Mebane, NC, about 12 miles east of Burlington. There are about twenty stores in this chain, many along interstates, so if you're ever int he area and would like to find out what I'm talking about, give it a try. Nothing like bbq, cole slaw, hush puppies, and sweet tea. Now, that's good eatin', or as Andy would say, "Gooooooodddd."

Got to Mom's after getting a bit lost in Goldsboro, as usual.

Drove 985 miles over these past two days.

Gas was usually around $2.80 with a high of $2.95 in Elburn, Illinois, and a low of $2.54 just south of Wytheville, Virginia. For some reason, this is always cheaper. They must actually have competition to sell that gas.

On Da Road Again, Even if It Was Mostly Superslab. --RoadDog