Day 4 - Route 66 Day 2 Monday 226.6 miles

Started off on old route 66 towards Springfield, IL with stops along the way. Stopped at the refurbished Texaco star filling station, forgot the town.

Then in O’Dell was the Standard Station with Miller Tires. They had a nice recording of the station and refurbishing. Later we found that the Hampton hotel chain donated 7,500$ toward the project and we are at one tonight in Springfield IL.

We stopped at Old Log Cabin restaurant in Pontiac IL. 35 She had a Route 66 skillet, basted eggs, with ham, sausage, bacon, onion, green peppers and cheese over nicely fried cubed potatoes and raisin bread. I, a California hamburger with fries. One of the waitresses started washing dishes in high school and is now 77 and doesn’t look the age.

Then we went to the museum in the 1900’s fire station and were given a guided tour by another 79 year old lady who could have as easily sat behind the desk and vegetated. This is a must for a stop it highlights the route in Illinois with pictures and memorabilia. Behind the building is a great photo-op, the bricks in the drive are from the old road,

The route 66 highway snaked along I55 to Springfield. We got turned around in the center of town, I asked a lady standing by the sidewalk around a college which way was North. She pointed to her left and we turned around and headed down a street that we thought was going east toward the highway. Then to our left was a police car, I pulled over and asked him where we are, close to I55? He said a couple blocks ahead, we got headed off and there were the three giant smokestacks from the power plant. We had been close by them many years ago for a Bloomington Gold corvette meet in Springfield.

As I said we are at a Hampton because of their generosity for the landmark refurbishing they are doing in America and Mexico.

Where to eat? Let’s try something different, Smokey Bones a couple blocks away. We ordered small portions, Shirleen a quarter BBQ chicken, leg and thigh with fired corn with red peppers and BBQ beans, I also got beans, but had a Brisket Platter, a pile of the meat with a toasted peace of bread and coleslaw. For Shirleen’s chicken bones she was given a paper bag for chicken bones. Neat touch.

Till later or until I think of something I missed – Jerr, did I mention I do not re-write this but change mis-spellings found by Word.

                                                           Here is one Shirleen liked:
 
 
There are many more pictures but you will have to come to the house
to see them.