Day One on Route 66 - Chicago to Springfield, IL

Here we go!

We had heard that it is challenging to get a picture of yourself at the "Begin" sign in Chicago, so we went the day before our trip began so we wouldn't have to deal with that frustration as we launched our adventure with a car selfie...



The weather was beautiful as we left. We knew it would be getting hot, so we started with windows down for a while. We are not city people, so leaving behind scenes like this was not a hardship.

 

Drivers in Chicago seem to love their horns, and the driving is definitely more aggressive than we are used to. We soon moved away from an area in which the only way you could see the sky was to look straight up. The sign told us we were on the right track...

 

First stop... Henry's Drive In (photo op, only)


Chuck in the park near Kicks on 66.

 

We knew we were in Joliet when we saw Jake and Elwood dancing on the roof of Kicks on 66...



And across the street we got to stand on some original brick pavers, and check out the police car :)


We tried to go to the museum in Joliet, but it was closed. So we just stopped for a pictures of this cool pillar and a photo op




 

 We stopped at the Launching Pad for lunch and to get a picture of the Gemini Giant. (Note: Selfie stick is brand new, and I think Chuck is learning to use it better than I am. Just pretend you don't see me holding it, OK?)

Down the road in Dwight, we stopped at Ambler's Texaco. It was closed down, so we took some pictures outside and through the window. A vehicle pulled up, and the man who got out said, "You look like a couple who would like to go inside. We talked with Bob for close to an hour. Experiences like this are why it can take so long to drive Route 66. You meet interesting people who have really great stories to share.

 




 

Love the reaction when people hear we are from Roswell :)

And the giant windmill a short ways away was worth driving to see.

A brief stop in Odell...

 

Remember these? That glue tasted terrible!


This travel trailer was also very cool...
 




We loved our stop in Pontiac at the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum. 


Bob Waldmire's van...




And mural...


Back out on the road once again, following the "EZ Guide for Travelers" by Jerry McClanahan, we were just enjoying the day (which was quickly getting away from us).



 

In Towanda we found the Historic Rte 66 Illinois "A Geographic Journey". This is a long park with a stretch of the old road, including Burmashave signs...







And the final selfie on that stretch of Old Road...


 
On to Sprague's Super Service Station in Normal...
 



 
 
Then we moved on to Atlanta to take our picture with the Bunyan Giant...
 

And then to Lincoln to get a picture of this huge covered wagon...


 





And one last service station...





 And then it was time to find our hotel for the night. I will not be sharing those pictures, because it was pretty disgusting and we did not stay there for both nights. We didn't let the hotel room get us down for long but ended the day with thoughts of what a great day it was and how we were looking forward to the next day's adventures.












Comments

  1. JohnJune 23, 2021 at 10:15 PM

    Great write-up, pity about the hotel.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Helen HuangJune 24, 2021 at 5:08 PM

    Hi! I’m traveling through Route 66 too! Can you take me? I’m right now at Chicago and looking for partners. Text me 803-238-8239

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wendy and CharlieJune 24, 2021 at 6:19 PM

    You are a month ahead of us! We start on July 28th with an RV caravan! Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete

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