After filling up with sweets, we thought a perfect ending to our journey this year is a ride down the Mississippi. Although it was sprinkling we enjoyed our journey on the Becky Thatcher, a replica of an original paddle wheel boat.
Of course, seeing the St. Louis Arch, gave us a sense of being here before. The Gateway to the West is where we will have to continue our journey one day soon.
After leaving the park, we drove 66 back towards St. Louis. I cannot be that close to Ted Drewes and not stop for a concrete. Ted Drewes has been a Route 66 icon since 1929.
Each fall they bring back the Great Pumpkin Concrete. A concrete is a very thick milkshake (Blizzard like) that the staff shows the thickness by handing it to you upside down. The Great Pumpkin actually has a piece of Pumpkin pie in it.
Madeline from the State Park told us about a donut place just down from Ted Drewes, so we had to stop. This place still hand cuts the donuts. We were given a donut to sample. It was very yummy. We took a few to go.
Since we got to the end of Route 66 in Illinois yesterday, we ventured into Missouri today. Drove the interstate to the Route 66 State Park.
The park has a welcome center with a small museum and a nice gift shop. The gift shop is reasonably priced compared to other shops on the route.
One of the main things I remembered from last year is that the girl there is very nice. This year was no exception. Towards the end of our visit I realized it is the same girl. I think I made a friend. :-)
After purchasing some souvenirs, we took a quick tour of the museum before heading out.
How far we traveled yesterday was surprising. We traveled the pre-1930s leg of the Route from Springfield to Staunton then took the highway back north for a while and traveled the 1930-1940 route back to Staunton. It seemed like very little time had passed when we found ourselves standing at the gates of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.
The old bridge spans the Mississippi River. In the heyday of Route 66, it took traffic across the mighty river. Today, it only accepts foot and bicycle traffic. The mile-long bridge is a nice walk.
I remember standing on the bridge for the first time last year and feeling the exhilaration of standing over the Mighty Mississippi. This year was still an awesome feeling, but it felt more like a welcome home.
Because of how quickly we seemed to travel, we get to explore a bit of Missouri today.
You find the friendliest and most interesting people in the oddest places sometimes. Henry at Henry's Rabbit Ranch and Route 66 Information Center was one of them.
So, what does it mean by "Rabbit Ranch? Well, two things actually. First, there are Rabbit cars everywhere including a small range of cars taking a play on Cadillac Ranch. Second, there must have been about a dozen of the furry type in the information center. One particular one named Red just sits on the counter while visitors pet him. They are cute and fuzzy.
Once in a while, we get an urge to visit a cemetery while traveling. It is amazing how much history of a town can be learned by reading headstones.
When we saw a sign for a memorial in a cemetery in Mount Olive. The memorial was for Mary Harris “Mother” Jones. She was a celebrated union activist who died here while helping with a miners’ strike in 1930. Famous for her passionate oratory, like the phrase “Pray for the dead, and fight like hell for the living,” her grave is nearby, marked by a simple headstone.
What is amazing is that this is the same conflict depicted on the memorial in Virden. It gave a sense of how all these small towns are tied together.
Sometimes the best stops are the unplanned ones that are just following signs. We made a quick turn in Girard, IL, when we saw a sign for a soda fountain.
Doc's Soda Fountain was a nostalgic throwback decorated in Red and white with Coke collectibles everywhere. The real gem was the drug store museum in the back. Deck's drug store museum was a wall full of vintage tools and goods from the store dating back to 1889.
We did have lunch there. We could not resist something as simplistic as sloppy jokes or grilled cheese after being on the road all week.
Some of the small towns along the route hold a special place in my heart. Burden is one of them.
My first time through Virden I met a lady who's son lost his life in Iraq. A memorial to him is on the town square. Also on the square is a World War II memorial and a memorial to those who lost their lives in a bloody conflict between miners and mine owners.
Did I mention that back in Gardner I had a little trouble with the law? Barney let me out on good behavior. He mentioned something about how charming and cute I am. :-)
Seriously, Barney Fife's picture hangs on the wall of the two-cell jail in Gardner, Illinois.
I love all the old gas stations that are being turned into welcome centers or tourist stops.
I have to admit that Becker's Marathon in Dwight is my favorite. It was on a video I took out of the library. So, to be at a location that I heard about over and over again before my first trip was surreal.
The Cozy Dog is a famous stop on Route 66. The Waldmire family has owned it since it began during the heyday of the Route. The restaurant invented what everyone calls a corn dog.
It is not only a great place to grab a bite, but to also see memorabilia and shop for souvenirs.
The State Capitol building is a gorgeous example of old, ornate architecture. As we were taking pictures outside, one of the guards told us that a tour would begin in a few minutes.
The inside was even more breathtaking from the central area far beneath the dome to the chamber for the House of Representatives. The chamber is where part of Legally Blonde was filmed.
Had a Change of plans today. Decided to stay another night to see more of the history in Springfield.
After Lincoln's house, we stopped at a small town cafe for lunch which was yummy. Then, it was on to the Presidential Library and Museum. The library had an exhibit Boys in Blue about the men who fought in the Civil War.
The museum was very moving with displays depicting Abe's early life in a homeroom cabin to his funeral. Pictures were not allowed, so I took what I could in the entrance area.
Took a tour this morning of the only house that Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary owned.
The house is located in downtown Springfield. A two-block area is inaccessible to cars and maintains a historic charm with gravel roads and wood plank sidewalks.
The tour was free. Apparently, Robert Lincoln, the only son that made it to adulthood, gave the Thad to the city that no one ever be charged for seeing the house. The National Park Service oversees it now.
