Route 66 Day Seventeen

Saturday, July 9th, is day seventeen of our Route 66 trip.  Today it should be all about logging miles as I anticipate that Missouri and Illinois are not going to be as interesting or vintage as the state’s we have been in.  We opt once again for breakfast in the car today and soon we are through Hofflins, Bourbon, Saint Cloud, Sullivan, Oak Grove, Stanton, Benson Tourist City, Saint Clair, and into Moselle where we discover the first distraction to the odometer--The Moselle Flea Market.  My take: forks and spoons, sheep shearer, and frog stabber, all for $10. 

Pacific reveals the remains of the Beacon motel.

Off next to Allenton, Eureka, Ranken, Peerless Park, and into Sunset Hills where we did not bowl at the Crestwood. 

From Windsor Springs, Kirkwood, Huntleigh, Frontenac, Ladue, Creve Coeur, Ascalon, Maryland Heights, and into Hazelwood which represents the western end of the Chain of Rocks Bridge which is now opened for pedestrians and bicyclists only.

After walking on the western end, we got back in the van, crossed over the river into Illinois, and visited the eastern end of the Chain of Rocks Bridge. 

Then it was onto Saint Thomas, Cedar Park, and Mitchell.  We tried to eat at the recommended Luna Cafe but the bartender said, "I can make you a burger but I don’t have any buns, lettuce or tomatoes."

A much better choice was the delightful Itty Bitty Café for a great chicken dumplings lunch. 

Edwardsville, Graney, Barnett, Maple, and Hamel led to Livingston and odometer challenge number two: Pink Elephant Antiques.  Here I picked up a rocking horse and a baby doll for $21.  More than half the fun of shopping here is the yard art outside the store. 

Moving along, we ran through Mount Olive and into Litchfield where we found more signage of worth. 

As we motored along Route 66 in Illinois, there is evidence of the original highway running parallel to the new.  Some communities ignore it, others sign it while some choose to use it as a bicycle or walking track. 

From here we are through Shop Creek, Raymond, Waggoner, Farmsville, Thomasville, Divernon, Pawnee Junction, Glenarm, Springfield (because we have been here before we take a been there, done that attitude), Sherman, Williamsville, Elkhart, Broadwell, Lincoln, Lawndale, Atlanta, McLean, Funk's Grove, Shirley, and into Bloomington in time to watch the inaugural NASCAR race from the Kentucky Speedway with a pizza for dinner in our Baymont Hotel room. 

Miles today: 327

Total miles for the trip: 5,385

View the entire set of photos from this trip at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gniebuhr/