Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 9: A 'Great" Morning at a Mom and Pop Motel

Continued from November 13th.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022

Got my coffee from the office as well as a free copy of today's Dubuque (Iowa) Telegraph-Herald.  The price of it is now $1.50 Monday to Saturday.  A little bit higher but definitely better than the Chicago tribune which is now $4 daily.  I will be cancelling my subscription, sadly, soon.  I love having a print paper in my hand, but not at $140 every two months.

Sat outside the room, had my coffee and read the paper.  Now that's good living to me.

The neighbors in Room 14 left for breakfast and a boat ride  in Dubuque, but will not be coming back to the motel.  Too bad, we sure had a nice conversation with them last night.  Those old Mom and Pop motels are very conducive to sitting outside your room and talking with fellow travelers, something you can't do in newer motels.

I watched some of "South Park," a really funny adult cartoon show which unfortunately attracts a lot of kids to watch it.  It is hilarious, but things they talk about and cursing should not be for kids.

--RoadDog

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 2: Galena's Gold Room, Paradise and VFW

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24

We then drove back to downtown Galena and began the long look to find a parking space somewhere.  It is a popular tourist spot, so always a lot of cars (especially on the weekends).  Of course, a new problem is that my depth perception has really gotten bad, so parallel parking would not be a good idea.  We saw several good parallel parking spaces of course.  

I dropped Liz of outside one of our favorite watering holes in Galena, the Gold Room and then spent another ten minutes looking for a spot and finally found one at a good distance from the Gold Room.  Walked back and we went inside.  Sadly, the place was dead so just had one beer and left.

We were planning to eat at Dirty Gurt's nearby, but they are closed on Wednesdays.  Continued walking and found a likely place called Paradise Pub & Grub and stopped in.  They had a spaghetti special so I got that and Liz had a pork loin sandwich.

Next stop was at our favorite drinking place in Galena, the VFW which still has their $2 Busch Light pints so thoroughly enjoyed them.

Went back to the Grant Hills Motel and sat outside.  Unfortunately, no one else did. so it was just Liz and me.  Folks need to know that when you have a motel like that, you should sit outside.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:   Why is QUITE A FEW the same as QUITE A LOT?

2020 Was a Weird Year

Definitely a different year for us.

**  We didn't even play one game of NTN (Buzztime) at a bar.  Granted, every year this number has been declining, but even then.

**  We stayed in a motel only twice.  Both times were in DeKalb, Illinois, where we had gone to see NIU basketball games.   Usually we stay in motels at least 35-40 times a year.  Both motel stays were before the you-know-what hit.

**  The furthest we drove from home was 60 miles the two times we went to DeKalb for the basketball games, and, of course, both times were before the you-know-what.  After the you-know-what, the farthest I went was 25 miles to Algonquin, which I did three times for Civil War Round Table discussion group meetings.

Usually, we have at least two 1000+ mile trips along with a lot of ones around 100 to 300 miles.

**  I only saw 14 movies at the movie theaters for the year, the last one on February 28.  Usually I see 50 to 70 movies a year in the theater.

Fun and Games With You-Know-What.  --RoadStayAtHome

STUDENT TEST ANSWERS:  Among the islands of the West Indies are the Pyjamas, noted for their toilet sponges.

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 6: A Gully Washer, a Cut and a Wagon

MONDAY, JUNE 17

Trying to decide whether  to stay in Lebanon one more day or go to Cuba because of the threat of storms all day.  Went to the office and had coffee and talked with Ramona and Jess McEntire.  This is one of my favorite things to do every morning we stay at the Munger-Moss.  Always a good conversation and usually with other Route 66 folks.  While there, we had one of the worst downpours I've ever seen.

At the Munger-Moss, the office is at the lowest point on the property and it wasn't long before we were manning the sandbag brigade by the two doors as water was starting to come in.

Decided to go to Cuba and drove Route 66 to St. Robert.   It rained, drizzled and cleared up the whole way.  Stopped at Chester's in St. Robert, on the north side of I-44.  If you like fried chicken, this is definitely a place you want to go.  Delicious.  Then we did Highway Z, the four lane highway through Hooker Cut, as I said, my favorite Route 66 place.

In Cuba, we had to wait for another downpour before getting a room at the Wagon Wheel Motel.  Frisco's is closed on Mondays. but Rock Fair, just off 66 wasn't and we had a good time with the locals there as well as at the East Office Pub, near the Wagon Wheel.

--RoadRain

2019 Route 66 Trip Lebanon-- Part 4: Lebanon Route 66 Festival

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Big storm this morning.  Encountered the big group of motorcyclists from Germany on the way out to California on Route 66 in the Munger-Moss lobby.  We had also seen them at the Motel 6 in Springfield, Illinois, Thursday morning.

At 10 a.m., we had a classic car parade go by the Munger-Moss with Ramona Lehman as the grand marshal and looking all spry with the tiara and spray of roses.  We then went to Bosley Park for the dedication of the Camp Joy tourist cabin and there was a ceremony.

Spent time talking with the good folks at the Missouri Route 66 Association's booth and also talked with Smokey of Smokey and the Bandit fame.  Enjoyed the music from the Bucket Band who played oldies.

Afterwards we went to the VFW for a barbecue, then to the American Legion and back to the Munger-Moss Motel.

--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.

Happy 44th Anniversary, Liz!!

Forty-four years ago today, Liz and I got married in DeKalb, Illinois, at the Newman Center on the campus of Northern Illinois University,where we had graduated in May.  We had the reception at the Holiday Inn (now Red Roof Inn) in DeKalb.

We then drove out to Galena, Illinois, and to our room at the Palace Motel (now the Ramada Inn).  Galena had not yet become the big tourist spot it is today.

We went back to Galena Wednesday and are still here today.

That Was One Busy Day.  --RoadDog

Sure Enjoying the Music Here at the Driftwood Lodge on the Gulf of Mexico

The dj started playing his music about an hour and a half ago for out joint Mardi Gras party with the Osprey next door.  We'll be having Cajun food and all sorts of music this afternoon in honor of next Tuesday's Mardi Gras.  I myself am groovin' out to it right now while typin' away on this here laptop.

The waves of the Gulf of Mexico are crashing along the shore about 200 feet from where I sit.  The sun is shining and it is at least 77 degrees.  Not a bad way to spend a February 23rd.

The dj is also playing Motown and oldies.  Just the thing for us oldsters.

Good Times On the Beach.  --RoadDog

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

N.C. Spring Trip 2016-- Part 1: Clear Ride Through

APRIL 29, FRIDAY

I took the usual drive to North Carolina.  Illinois-120 to Illinois-47, to I-74, to I-70.

Sadly, Illinois-47 has built up so fast that it takes a lot longer to drive it, but at least they are finished doing the road work in Yorkville.  Now the mess is north of Morris.

It may be spring, but it sure is cold right now.  Global warming my foot.

I found another Hardee's in Illinois at the Love's Truck Stop in Dwight, near the old Route 66 bypass.

Unfortunately, leaving as late as I did, 9:45, that meant I would hit Indianapolis right at rush hour (with the loss of the hour going to Eastern Time Zone).  I went through the middle of it and was lucky as there were just a couple slow-downs to 20 mph, but the rest was clear-sailing.

Then I-70 to Dayton, Ohio, and a stop for my Cincinnati Chili fix at Skyline Chili.

Stopped at a Motel 6 in Springfield, Ohio.

--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

Forced to Stay on the Island: When the Going Gets Tough...Stay

APRIL 26TH, 2015

Continued from May 2nd.

Like i said, we ended up essentially stopped when trying to leave Tybee Island on Sunday, so, like they say, "When the going gets tough, the tough go to the beach.  We backtracked and hot a room at the Dunes Motel.

Rested a bit from the traffic torture, then went over to the boardwalk area and had a drink at the huge pavilion. and enjoyed the ocean view.

then, we went to Fannie's for a drink and there were several people there who had also tried unsuccessfully to get off the island.  Next, we went to Tybee Times and had a Rumrunner.  A gal come up to us and said she had seen us at Huck-A-Poos and that she was also trying to get off the island and had taken shelter here.

Last two stops were at Bernie's and Sting Ray's, by the motel.

Oh Well, Sometimes the Best Laid Plans.  --RoadDog


SOME CRAZY SAYINGS:  If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.

JSIS: Congrats Giants-- Klingon Wedding-- A-Rod Leaving?-- Motel Keyless Locks

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff


1.  CONGRATS GIANTS--  Not bad coming from 2-0 down and 3-1 down in the NLDS and NLCS, then to sweep the Tigers in the World Series.  Even if I was pulling for the American League.  And striking out the last three Detroit players!!  I was hoping for a Midwest WS.  There's always. as the Cubs say, next year.  Who knows, maybe Cubs-Sox?


2.  KLINGON WEDDING--  You just knew this had to happen.  A 29 and 23-year-old couple in Britain got married as Klingons.  Wonder what the Klingon words for "Till Death Do Us Part" are?  That is taking Geekdom to too high a level.  Did her father give her away?


3.  A-ROD LEAVING?--  Rumors have it that the Rodriguez guy from the Yankees is leaving.  Sure hope the Sox don't get him.  We already have our Peave Man.


4.  MOTEL KEYLESS LOCKS--  A new study shows that these cards you get to open your door are very easy for the bad guys to open.  Of course, there are times I can't get into the room no matter how I use them.  Maybe easy for crooks, but not so for me.

Just Some Interesting Stuff.  --RoadDog

So, A Big Old Who-Cares Super Bowl

Since neither the Bears nor Packers were playing, it wasn't all of that important of a game to watch for us. I used to back the Patriots, especially since the first two times they went, they lost to the Bears and Packers, but since they recently have been to it a lot, I don't back them any more.

Not a Giants fan either, but they are NFC.

We were somewhat pulling for New York, but it didn't really matter.

We attended a Super Bowl party at our usual hangout at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, where we had free drinks during the game and food as well. Most people were only interested as far as what lines and squares they ad on various pools around the area.

Even better, we had a room for the night at the motel behind the bar, so no need to fear the ride home.

Congrats to the Giants. --RoadDog

Didn't Want to Do It...

Well, I sure didn't want to do it, but, I just had to do it.

And that was to buy some more Christmas stuff. Liz and I are about to get Christmassed out of the house with our (well, my) ever-expanding collection. I fully intended not to buy anything this year, but, like I said....

1. Last week, I was forced to buy a house with lights that are synchronized to three different Christmas songs including "Carol of the Bells," " Deck the Halls," and the one that is used in the Miller Lite commercial this year and made the internet rounds last year. I bought it at Walgreens and it would have been worth the $20 they originally wanted, but at $13--too good of a deal to pass up.

2. This past Friday, I went to Big Lots in Round Lake Beach, and found an animated penguin with a chick in an egg that sand duets on "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside." That was just too cute to pass up. And a deal at $10 marked down from $20.

3. Also at Big Lots, I found a three piece lighted porcelain set that is just what any roadie needs. It has an old motel, gas station, and diner along with people and vehicles.

I Didn't Want to Have to Do It. --RoadDog

Just Got Back from Route 66 Part 1: Odell, Pig Hip, Ariston and Munger-Moss

Liz and I just got back from an eight day Route 66 trip covering 1200 miles, 1000 on the dear old Mother Road.

We left last TUESDAY and checked out the 1932 Standard station in Odell, Illinois, just as a busload of tourists from upper Minnesota came in. They were impressed with all the Route 66 stuff on the Malibu. We had a long talk with Ernie and Fran Edwards at the site of the Pig Hip restaurant that Ernie operated since the 1930s. Dinner was at the famous Ariston Restaurant in Litchfield, Illinois (dating also to the 1930s). We stayed at the motel that used to be a Best Western where Liz stayed quite often as a child while driving to visit family in Kansas City.

WEDNESDAY-- Took a ride around and walk around Litchfield while waiting for Liz to get up. Ate lunch at the Jack-in-the-Box in Litchfield. On the old roads, we make it our choice NOT to go to national chains on trips, but this is the closest Jack-in-the-Box to us and we're quite fond of Monster Tacos and Jumbo Jacks.

Had those great "concretes" at Ted Drewe's in St. Louis and drove 66 out to Rolla. We stopped along the way to play NTN at three new sites, one in Illinois and two in Missouri.

Made it out to the Munger-Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri and had a talk with Ramona Lehman, a real Route 66 character. Also met up with Jeff Meyer, winner of Route 66's John Steinbeck Award. He said he wasn't going to the Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Illinois, this weekend because it is nothing but a glorified car show.

On the Road for Some More. --RoadDog

Road Trip- 34th Anniversary- Part 2 Floods, Elizabeth, Dubuque, East Dubuque

We left this past Wednesday and encountered water over the road on Queen Anne Road as we were trying to bypass Woodstock. A short time later, there was another fording situation on Illinois Highway 176 east of Marengo.

We got on US-20 at Marengo and took it the rest of the way to Dubuque, Iowa. US-20 is one of my favorite highways, along with US-12, US-66, the National Road, and US-50. We stopped at a new visitors center east of Freeport. This is a very good one with lots of info and a good place to stretch.

US-20 is one of the most beautiful drives in the US between Stockton and Dubuque. If you think of Illinois as being flat, this will surely change your mind. The road follows the ridge line with great vistas off to the sides.

Elizabeth is a quaint little town. Then there's Galena, the town that history forgot. We went on past it as we'll be there tomorrow. The rains that have assaulted the Midwest caught up with us here and the twenty mile drive to Dubuque was done in a nearly blinding torrential downpour, just what we really needed.

In Dubuque, we went to the west end and played NTN at BW3 and then went to Paul's Tavern with all those stuffed animal heads.

We went to East Dubuque and checked into the Swiss Inn, a mom and pop place with rooms at around $50. They have food, but the oven was broken, so we drove to downtown East Dubuque and had one of the best roast beef sandwiches I've ever had at George and Dale's.

Day Two- Thursday- We took a ride out to the Lock and Dam in Dubuque. We go here every winter to see the bald eagles. None around here today, but the Mississippi was high and full of algae. Drove up to Eagle Point Park which has magnificent views of the Mississippi.

Spent $10 apiece to go into the National Mississippi Museum and Aquarium at Ice Harbor, and it was worth every bit of it. We particularly enjoyed watching the river otters and turtles. If there is any animal on earth that has more fun than an otter, I'd sure like to know.

Drove to the Ramada Inn west of Galena and checked in. This is on the site of the old Palace Motel, where we went on our honeymoon. We then went downtown in Galena and checked out some stores and had cocktails at the American Legion before dinner at the Log Cabin, dating from 1935. We ate here on the Sunday after we were married, and it has been a tradition ever since.

Stopped at the Keg and Cask and bought a bottle of Blue Nun wine. Liz's dad, Ambrose, gave us a small bottle to drink once we got out to Galena, and that has been a tradition all these 34 years. We had it out on the Ramada's deck and watched a toad going after the many crickets. OK, so we were hard up for entertainment.

To Be Continued. --RoadDog