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.

**************************************


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

One Great Time Last Weekend: Barhopping, Wings, $1 Drafts, Beach Bumz Band, Fish Fry and the Legion

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7

Barhopping at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois.  Two places where everybody knows your name.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

Met Kevin and Kelly, Glenn and Barb at Bootleggers on Grasslake Road in Antioch and enjoyed the 50 cent wings and $1 draft pints.  Then went to the It's Thursday in Antioch, the weekly party by the bandshell behind Main Street.  Every Thursday from mid-June to mid-August, they have a band playing there from 7:30 to 9 p.m..

Tonight the band was Johnny Russell & the Beach Bumz.  If you like Jimmy Buffett, reggae or country beach music, this music is for you.  We also met several good friends there.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

Enjoyed WDRV's Ten at Ten's American Road Trip songs.  Road tripping on old highways is one of our favorite things to do, especially on Route 66 or the Lincoln Highway.

We met Kelly and Kevin and Barb and Glenn at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their beer-battered fish fry, auce for $9,99 and $2 craft beer pints.  Then went to the Fox Lake American Legion with them for the 50-50.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

Eagles' "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" Tops "Thriller" as No. 1

From the August 21, 2018, Chicago Sun-Times by Mesfin Fekadu, AP.

"The Eagles' greatest hits album (which includes that Route 66 favorite 'Take It Easy" where he was 'Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona) has moonwalked past Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' to become history's best-selling album of all-time in the U.S.."

The Recording Industry Association of America said the Eagles' album is  now certified 38x platinum, which means sales and streams of it have reached 39 million copies.  The album was released in 1976.

RIAA's platinum status was once equivalent to selling 1 million albums or singles, but in 2013, the company began incorporating streaming from YouTube, Spotify and other digital musical services.  Now 1,500 streams of an album is equivalent to an album sale.

The Eagles formed in Los Angeles in the early 1970s.  Co-founder Glenn Frey died in 2016.

By teh way, the Eagles' "Hotel California" is No. 3.

--RoadEasy

2019 Route 66 Trip-- Part 7: Shelly's, Wascally Wabbits, Tacos and Bars

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

Had breakfast at Shelly's Rt. 66 Diner, a few blocks west of the Wagon Wheel and talked with a  guy doing Route 66 for the third time from the Czech Republic.  A wascally wabbit had escaped her cage and provided entertainment before we left the motel.  Drove to Sullivan and Stanton before getting on I-44 to I-270  to Illinois.

Then I-55 to Hamel and then Route 66 again to Litchfield, stopping at Rich Henry's in Staunton where we met one of his newest wascally wabbits.  We had Jack's (Jack-in-the-Box) tacos at Litchfield, then I-55'ed it to Springfield.  This time we were able to get a room at the Route 66 Hotel.

We went to George Ranks and the Curve Inn, two of our favorite bars in Springfield.  Finished at Brille 69. the new restaurant/bar at the Route 66 Hotel.

--RoadWabbit

2019 Route 66 Trip to Lebanon-- Part 3: Hardee's, Museum, Wrink's and Munger-Moss

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

Drove over to Hardee's for breakfast then went to Wal-Mart and bought CDs.

Back to the room for awhile and then to the LaClede County Route 66 Museum and enjoyed the Willem Bohr miniatures and other artifacts and momentos of the road.  This is a really good museum.  I also went into the library which takes up the rest of the old K-Mart building and spent some time researching.

Stopped at Wrink's, now Vintage Cowgirl at Wrink's and they are doing a very good lunch business.  I tried one of their fried bologna sandwiches, chips and drink for $5.  I'd never had one before and it is a good one.

Liz and I went to the American Legion on the west end of town and had a few brews then back to the Munger-Moss where we encountered problems getting in with all those old cars out front.  A local Springfield TV station was broadcasting live out there.  This was the block party celebration for the Lebanon Route 66 Festival.  A band was playing at Wrink's

One of the vendor booths was the Route 66 Association of Missouri and I had a nice talk with Bob Gehl, membership chairman and I reupped my dues for four more years.  Great organization.

--Road66

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

We're Back from Our 66 on 66 Cruise-- Part 2: Old Motels

Continued from October 25.

Like I said, a major goal of the trip was to stay at older motels we'd stayed at before, but especially to stay at the newly renovated Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri, and the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri.

That, and to revisit old favorite stops and check out some we hadn't yet been to and some that are new to the Mother Road.

OCTOBER 12--  Route 66 Hotel, Springfield, Illinois
OCTOBER 13-14--  Munger-Moss Motel, Lebanon, Missouri
OCTOBER 15--  Boots Court Motel, Carthage, Missouri

OCTOBER 16--  Hampton Inn, Stroud, Oklahoma
OCTOBER 17--  Holiday Inn  Express, Vinita, Oklahoma
OCTOBER 18--  Rail Haven Motel, Springfield, Missouri

OCTOBER 19--  Munger-Moss Motel, Lebanon, Missouri
OCTOBER 20--  Wagon Wheel Motel, Cuba, Missouri
OCTOBER 21--  Route 66 Hotel, Springfield, Illinois

Our favorite Route 66 states, in order:  Missouri, Illinois and Oklahoma

On That Mother Road Again, Can't Wait To get back Out On That Mother Road Again--  RoadDog66

We're Back from Our 66 on 66 Cruise-- Part 1: To Lebanon

We left Spring Grove on Thursday, October 12 and returned, 2,005 miles later on Sunday, October 22.

Since Liz and I are both 66 this year, we decided to do like Paul, and drive on Route 66 when we're 66.  Only, he, by the way, as in Beatle Paul McCartney, drove the whole way.  We just drove from Joliet, Illinois, to Arcadia, Oklahoma, just outside Oklahoma City.

We had originally considered going the whole way from downtown Chicago to Santa Monica, but decided just to concentrate on our favorite four states.  That, and we wanted to stay in as many old motels as possible and we accomplished that.

October 12--  Route 66 Hotel in Springfield, Illinois
Oct.  13-14--  Munger-Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri

On the Road Again.  --RoadDog

MORE COFFEE SIGNS:  You can't even remember your second cup.

OK, All You Cub Fans, A Lot of Folks Out Here in Western Mo. and Eastern Ok., Could Care

As sad as you might be about the Cubs in all likelihood being eliminated tonight because of that horrific lack of hitting and sorry excuse for relief pitching, despite all the money they're paying to Davis, we have discovered one big truth out here on Route 66.

As far as the Cubs are concerned, there are many, many people here in eastern Oklahoma and western Missouri, who don't give a rat about the Cubs.

So sorry you gung-ho Cubbie fans.

Some Folks Just Don't Care.  --RoadDog

Turned 66, But Not On 66

Yesterday my odometer clicked over to 66, but I wasn't on Route 66.

But, we plan to be on Route 66 a lot this year since we are both 66.

Like Paul McCartney, we plan to drive the entire length of the Mother Road this fall.  Doing 66 when you're 66 has long been a dream.

Also, no posts for a few days as I am heading out to Indianapolis for this little old race they have there this time of the year.  Friday is Carb Day and along with final runs, we will be seeing two great bands:  Bare Naked Ladies and the Steve Miller Band.

--RoadDog

Got Our Kicks on 66 This Past Weekend-- Part 3: Pontiac to Towanda

May 7, 2017, Sunday

We went to downtown Pontiac to get a Red Carpet Corridor button (all towns had a different one) but found out they had all been given out yesterday.

Drove to Chenoa and found out the same thing.  No buttons.  They must have been popular.

We then went to Lexington and walked on Main Street awhile, but didn't find any place with buttons.  It is nice to see that the old Filling Station restaurant will be reopening as Kelly's on 66.

Last stop was Towanda where we found about a half mile of the unused old Route 66 lanes converted into a half-mile long classic car show with lots of people and cars.  Sorry to see Schenk's Garage is essentially no more.

We then drove home.

Always a Great Time on the Mother Road.  --RoadDog

Got Our Kicks on 66 This Past Weekend-- Part 1: Joliet to Odell

We sure had a great time on Route 66 in Illinois this past weekend.  We drove the Mother Road from Joliet to Towanda (just north of Bloomington-Normal) and made many stops.

SATURDAY MAY 6

We drove to Joliet, toured the museum and then we did he stretch of 66 which we don't usually go on between Joliet and Dwight.

Really sad to see the site of the former Riviera Roadhouse outside of Gardner where we sure had great times there.  Glad we were able to meet the Krafts, and, of course, Bob holding "court" in his bar.  We had root beer floats at the Trolley car Diner and 66 cent pork sliders at Vino's in Gardner.

Stopped at the old gas stations in Dwight and Odell and then went to the Illinois Route 66 Museum and Bob Waldmire bus in Pontiac.

--Road66

Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor This Weekend: Getting Our Kicks

We are planning on leaving shortly for a short trip down our favorite road in our favorite state.  That would be Route 66 in Illinois.

We'll be starting in Joliet and make our way to Towanda, just north of Bloomington-Normal.

We went on this once before, but haven't been on it for a long time.  I figure to reup my membership in the Route 66 Association of Illinois at the Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac.

Great To Be Back On the Road.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You get a speeding ticket when you're parked.

A Munger-Moss Motel Trip-- Part 7: Rich Henry and Springfield

APRIL 25TH, MONDAY

Drove past that ever-impressive Chain of Rocks Bridge on I-270 and on to I-55, getting off at Staunton and actually finding Rich Henry's Rabbit Ranch with no trouble.  Rich's was the first regular Route 66 stop we made on our first trip on the road and a big reason we ended up caught in the 66 fever.  Thanks a lot Rich.

Then Route 66 to Litchfield and I-55 to Springfield.  Checked into the Route 66 Hotel and then drove to a new place, Costelloe's.  This is owned by the the former members of Coz's, a famous Springfield restaurant.  Then to Curve Inn and to the Filling Station at the Route 6 Hotel where we watched the St. Louis Blues-Chicago Blackhawks playoff game.  It was game 7, winner goes on to the next round, loser goes home.

Sadly, we went home.

--RoadDog

A Munger-Moss Motel Route 66 Trip-- Part 5: Bennett Spring and the VFW

APRIL 24TH, SUNDAY

Another trip to Hardee's for breakfast.  I spent a lot of time in the Munger-Moss Motel lobby seeing folks on their way home.  This is probably one of the best places in the world to go if you want to see movers and shakers of 66 and hear lots of great Route 66 talk.

Among those there were Kip Welborn, Jeff Meyer "The Roadologist", Roamin' Rick, Jerry McClannahan and Bob Giles.

Liz and I drove to Bennett Spring, about 14 miles from Lebanon and saw lots of trout fishermen and a trout hatchery.  The place is known for its rainbow trout.  I had never eaten trout so we went to the 1920 Lodge restaurant and I had rainbow trout almandine.  I'll sure be back.

Spent several hours at the Lebanon VFW on the way back.  Sat out by the picnic table at the Munger-Moss and talked with a couple riding their motorcycle across Route 66 from Williamsburg, Virginia.  Then went to the bowling alley across Route 66 from the motel.

Getting Our 66 Fix.  --RoadDog

YOUR BANK'S IN TROUBLE WHEN: the lobby is waist-deep in Euros.

A Munger-Moss Motel Route 66 Trip-- Part 1: Illinois and Missouri

We left this past Thursday, April 21st for the 500 mile drive to Lebanon, Missouri, for the 70th anniversary of the Munger-Moss Motel on Route 66.  Not only has the motel been serving 66ers since 1946, but owners Bob and Ramona Lehman have had the place for 45 years (1971).  That alone is quite a feat.

We have been coming to the motel since our second trip on 66, back in 2003

The first day was spent driving in Illinois with stops at Dwight for the Route 66 90th Birthday celebration, Dixie Truck Stop, George Ranks, The Cozy Dog and stayed at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center and their Filling Station Bar.

The second day, April 22,  was another driving one with a stop at Jack's (Jack-in-the-Box) in Litchfield for our taco fix, then getting lost in St. Louis.  Then lunch at another Jack's in Sullivan, Missouri.  (We don't have Jack's by us and have a big desire for their tacos.)

We took a ride along Hooker Cut, my favorite stretch of Route 66, and a stop at The Devil's Elbow Inn and the Munger-Moss Motel.  Talked some with Ramona  and then went to Senor Pepper's on Missouri-5 and Applebees.

Great to Be Back On the Old Road.  --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

Happy Birthday Route 66, U.S. 12, U.S. 14, and Most All U.S. Highways

Yesterday, November 11th, was the birthday of the United States Highway system, the one that replaced the previous mosh of named and confusing roads like the Lincoln  and Dixie highways.  They became official on that date in 1926.

--RoadDog


YOU THINK ENGLISH IS EASY?  Feast your eyes on some of these very confusing sentences.  I had to stop and think about some of them.  I'll be running these for the rest of the month at the end of every first day's post in this blog.

Here's the first one.

The bandage was wound around the wound.

Back On the Mother Road-- Part 5: To Edwardsville and Back

JUNE 13, 2014 ( As in Friday the 13th)

After those Monster Tacos for lunch in Sullivan, back on Route 66 to I-44.  Sorry to see the Red Mill still closed (a place we've never gotten a chance to eat at).  Got on I-44 when we ran out of 66 and took it to I-270 which we followed to Edwardsville, Illinois.

You don't want to take I-270 during rush hour, which we did.  Just when you think you're out of the jam, there pops up another.  Crossed into Illinois and then encountered stoplight after stoplight going into Edwardsville on Route 66.

Signed up for the Illinois Route 66 Motor Tour at the Edwardsville Route 66 Festival, enjoyed a band and fought off gnats under a tent while talking with some 66ers from St. Louis.  Also got to go to the old Stagger In Again.  We've been wanting to go there for a long time..  Listened to a duo play there.  Definitely a place we'll visit again.

Some Mo' Route 66.  --RoadDog


WHY TEACHERS TURN GRAY EARLY  (Selected test answers):  Q:  In which battle did Napoleon die?  A: His last one.

Back On the Mother Road Again-- Part 4: Back to St. Louis

JUNE 13TH, 2014

Went to Faye's on Elm Street, the old Route 66.  Nothing fancy, but good breakfasts and plenty of locals.  I was sure disappointed to see that the old Bell Restaurant had been torn down as that was a good place to eat as well.

Said our goodbyes to Ramona and Bob and got off by noon for a pleasurable ride along Route 66 and this time stopped at the Trading Post in Rolla and went out by the sad John's Modern Cabins and Vernelle's.

Stopped again in Sullivan for You-Know Whats.  --RoadDog