JUNE 20TH-- Chain of Rocks to Litchfield
Late getting started in the morning, but got to the Missouri side of the famous old Chain of Rocks bridge and got into line to cross it. Met friend and 66er Lulu. Paid $5 to cross it and did the mile span very slowly; taking pictures with both the camcorder and digital camera.
Had breakfast at the Hen House on Route 66, one of only five restaurants left out of a 1969 chain of 40 or so places in the Midwest. It's sort of a like a small forerunner of the Cracker Barrels.
Then took Route 66 to Staunton and stopped at Rich Henry's Rabbit House and talked with him a bit. He remembered that we had stopped at his place our first Route 66 trip back in the spring of 2002 and he was a big reason for us getting hooked on the road. His pet rabbit, Montana, is running a presidential campaign, and we just might vote for her what with our other options.
There were about 60 vehicles, many classics on this southern tour to Litchfield. After the slow ride across the CoR bridge, and breakfast, we were quite behind them, but caught up with them at Scotty's in Hamel.
Stopped at Soulsby's 1930s Shell station in Mount Olive, then took the old alignment into Litchfield and weren't happy to find they didn't have our reservations at the Best Value Inn, an old Best Western back in the Route 66 days. We were able to get the last room they had, though.
SORE THUMB AND THE BEATLES (WELL, THE CAVERN BEAT, ACTUALLY
Went to the emergency room of St. Francis to have my sore right thumb looked at. The doctor gave me one of the worst shots I've ever had. Man, did that ever hurt. Then she probed around, but didn't find anything. She gave me some antibiotics and we were on our way. Picked up the prescription at the Walgreens they built on the site of the old Gardens Restaurant.
Rested some and went over for Monster Tacos at Jack in the Box. We both like them, and Litchfield is the closest site to us, so we don't pass up chances to go there when we have them.
Then drove over to the festival grounds by the Comfort Inn and saw an excellent Beatles tribute band called the Cavern Beat which played all the pre-Sgt. Pepper's songs, my favorite. From a distance, they looked like the real thing.
Stopped at the Passport Lounge and heard some of the WORST karaoke ever. We were planning on going to another bar on 66 called Shaw's, but there was a what appeared to be a drunken guy on a bicycle weaving all over the road and I decided we'd better not try to pass him.
Went back to the motel and turned in for the night.
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
Showing posts with label June Route 66 Trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label June Route 66 Trip. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
On Da Road-- June Route 66 Trip-- June 19th
One thing about hitting the old road during the summer is that I have to spend a lot of time watering the outside plants, especially the ones I recently planted.
This caused us to be two hours late leaving Thursday, but we finally got underway.
Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, and took our Chicago bypass,Illinois Highway 47. to Dwight, where we picked up Route 66. Gas was usually between $4.16 and $4.20 with the exception of Yorkville, which was at the high of $4.26. About 20 miles south of Yorkville, Morris was at $4.
On 66, gas is usually cheapest at Pontiac, and it was at $3.86.
A VISIT WITH THE SCHENK'S
Some folks call Liz and myself as being the ultimate Route 66 collectors, but these folks in Towanda, Illinois, put us to shame. Their garage is one massive Route 66 collection. Even the black and white tiled floor has a big 66 on it. She has been collecting for 9 years and during that time, has only gotten doubles three times.
Her husband spent two weekends putting together a US license plate map, where each state has a piece of their real license plate on their location. He said he'd never do that again. He also put a Route 66 shield stencil on the road in front of his house. A cop told him he should have gotten permission and then he was told by an authority that if they let him do it, everybody would be doing it.
COZY DOG AND SCOTTY'S
Stopped in Springfield for Cozy Dogs, a real taste treat and Route 66 favorite. These were one of the first corn dogs and always made when ordered. I like mine with onion and mustard. Actually, I don't know if I like the special fries better, and, then, therre are always those great Route 66 magazines to read while eating.
Got a room at the Hamel Hilton, the local name for the Innkeeper out on I-55 and then went to Scotty's, the old Tourist Haven, dating to the 1930s and a real Route 66roadhouse. Had a nice talk with Fred and Candy, a couple of 66 enthusiasts from Kansas. They belong to five of the 8 Route 66 state associations and he has been into the road since 1995. He met Candy a year and a half ago, ans she has since become a 66 fanatic.
Garages, Dogs, and Scotty's, a Good Day on Route 66. --RoadDog
This caused us to be two hours late leaving Thursday, but we finally got underway.
Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, and took our Chicago bypass,Illinois Highway 47. to Dwight, where we picked up Route 66. Gas was usually between $4.16 and $4.20 with the exception of Yorkville, which was at the high of $4.26. About 20 miles south of Yorkville, Morris was at $4.
On 66, gas is usually cheapest at Pontiac, and it was at $3.86.
A VISIT WITH THE SCHENK'S
Some folks call Liz and myself as being the ultimate Route 66 collectors, but these folks in Towanda, Illinois, put us to shame. Their garage is one massive Route 66 collection. Even the black and white tiled floor has a big 66 on it. She has been collecting for 9 years and during that time, has only gotten doubles three times.
Her husband spent two weekends putting together a US license plate map, where each state has a piece of their real license plate on their location. He said he'd never do that again. He also put a Route 66 shield stencil on the road in front of his house. A cop told him he should have gotten permission and then he was told by an authority that if they let him do it, everybody would be doing it.
COZY DOG AND SCOTTY'S
Stopped in Springfield for Cozy Dogs, a real taste treat and Route 66 favorite. These were one of the first corn dogs and always made when ordered. I like mine with onion and mustard. Actually, I don't know if I like the special fries better, and, then, therre are always those great Route 66 magazines to read while eating.
Got a room at the Hamel Hilton, the local name for the Innkeeper out on I-55 and then went to Scotty's, the old Tourist Haven, dating to the 1930s and a real Route 66roadhouse. Had a nice talk with Fred and Candy, a couple of 66 enthusiasts from Kansas. They belong to five of the 8 Route 66 state associations and he has been into the road since 1995. He met Candy a year and a half ago, ans she has since become a 66 fanatic.
Garages, Dogs, and Scotty's, a Good Day on Route 66. --RoadDog
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