Route 66 Day 1 - October 22, 2019
Dale and his offsider Dan, who are running this tour, are really serious about everyone leaving on time. So after a small breakfast, we were in our cars and ready to leave at 7.30am for an 8am start. We'd already put our suitcases in the car last night before going to bed. We are also carrying other people's cases because even though they have fancy cars, they don't have enough room for their suitcases. We've got plenty of room, so we don't mind helping out.
The air was cool, as we headed out to our first stop - Joliet Prison, which is no longer used but was made famous by the Blues Brothers. Rain was spitting, and the air temperature was slowly dropping. When we eventually reached the town of Joliet, and then swung into the car park of the prison, the internet told us that the air temperature was 46 degrees F, which works out to about 8 degrees C (but it felt like 6 degrees C). I only had one layer of clothing on underneath my coat, and I was freezing. I was literally shaking because there was a "lazy" wind that was slicing through to my skin!
We were introduced to Jim Bush from Illinois, one of the identities of Route 66. He did a strip for us to show us the iconic images of Route 66 tattooed all over his upper torso.
There's no way I'd be able to srip off like that in that temperature. He was pretty tough!
The next town after Joliet was Elwood, and I wondered if it was the inspiration for the name of one of the Blues Brothers i.e. Elwood Blues.
We continued down the road though quaint little towns that were well sign posted as being on Route 66. Eventually we stopped at Wilmington which boasts the Gemini Giant (one of four giants in Illinois) holding a rocket outside a a quaint diner serving quality home made cooking.
There were some good souvenirs to be bought here ... and pumpkin pie!!! I'd been telling Jenny about how delicious it is, and how it was traditionally served for Thanksgiving which is already being advertised.
. 
Dale introduced many of the crew to the famous Wilmington soft serve ice-cream. I was still cold from Joliet, so I decided to give it a miss.
Onward we went and Jenny had a turn at driving. The freezing cold wind permeated the car despite us having the heater turned up. We drove past Dwight with its water tower dominating the prairie.
Then we hit a section of road where we were on the old Route 66 and on the other side of the fence was the busy Interstate highway.
We stopped at Odell and had a Chinese buffet. I just had to take a photo of the big box of Fortune Cookies!!!
Once everyone had had their fill of a warm lunch consisting of Chinese delights, we drove on to the classically beautiful town of Pontiac which boasted beautiful painting on the sides of the buildings, and a really interesting museum.
Most of the art work on the buildings had been done by this man, before he passed away.
The crosswalks are very clearly sign posted. We could improve the crosswalks in Australia with this idea.
Next stop was Sprague. Jenny and I were starting to get quite sleepy. The air had warmed up a bit and we had taken off our coats. I was still wearing two windcheaters! But we NEEDED coffee if we were to make it to our resting place for the evening. Sprague was pretty with its crabapple trees and quaint petrol pumps,
We found a service station that sold a range of invigorating coffee. A couple of farmers were having a chat and they very politely opened the doors for us. I just love the nice manners we experience almost everywhere.
Next stop was the friendly little town of Atlanta, Illinois. There's another giant here - the Bunyan Giant who is holding a giant hot dog
Here's information about the other 2 Illinois giants.
I loved this little bench sitting amidst evidence of fall.
Jenny and I needed to use the restroom so we went to the beautiful local library.
I picked up a fascinating book about the apostle Paul for 0.25 cents! Outside the library they had some genuine millstones.
In terms of sight seeing, that was it for today. We drove one last leg - 47 miles - down the Interstate highway (which I'm guessing replaced that section of the old Route 66) until we reached the capital city of Illinois - Springfield - the location of our hotel - the Comfort Inn, where again, the people were so friendly and accommodating.
After taking things to our room, Jenny and Catherine were so exhausted, they just had to go to bed. I still had a bit of energy, so I went and filled the petrol tank in readiness for tomorrow's journey to St Louis. Well, that was easier said than done!! Luckily a lovely young military man called Jason was only too happy to help me figure out the process.
I filled the tank and it cost me the best part of $32! Even with the difference of the Aussie dollar and the Greenback - fuel is pretty cheap here!
I'm grateful for your company. It's fun to be able to share this journey with you. Until tomorrow, I wish you all the best, because you deserve it.
The air was cool, as we headed out to our first stop - Joliet Prison, which is no longer used but was made famous by the Blues Brothers. Rain was spitting, and the air temperature was slowly dropping. When we eventually reached the town of Joliet, and then swung into the car park of the prison, the internet told us that the air temperature was 46 degrees F, which works out to about 8 degrees C (but it felt like 6 degrees C). I only had one layer of clothing on underneath my coat, and I was freezing. I was literally shaking because there was a "lazy" wind that was slicing through to my skin!
We were introduced to Jim Bush from Illinois, one of the identities of Route 66. He did a strip for us to show us the iconic images of Route 66 tattooed all over his upper torso.
There's no way I'd be able to srip off like that in that temperature. He was pretty tough!
The next town after Joliet was Elwood, and I wondered if it was the inspiration for the name of one of the Blues Brothers i.e. Elwood Blues.
We continued down the road though quaint little towns that were well sign posted as being on Route 66. Eventually we stopped at Wilmington which boasts the Gemini Giant (one of four giants in Illinois) holding a rocket outside a a quaint diner serving quality home made cooking.
There were some good souvenirs to be bought here ... and pumpkin pie!!! I'd been telling Jenny about how delicious it is, and how it was traditionally served for Thanksgiving which is already being advertised.
. 
Dale introduced many of the crew to the famous Wilmington soft serve ice-cream. I was still cold from Joliet, so I decided to give it a miss.
Onward we went and Jenny had a turn at driving. The freezing cold wind permeated the car despite us having the heater turned up. We drove past Dwight with its water tower dominating the prairie.
Then we hit a section of road where we were on the old Route 66 and on the other side of the fence was the busy Interstate highway.
We stopped at Odell and had a Chinese buffet. I just had to take a photo of the big box of Fortune Cookies!!!
Once everyone had had their fill of a warm lunch consisting of Chinese delights, we drove on to the classically beautiful town of Pontiac which boasted beautiful painting on the sides of the buildings, and a really interesting museum.
Most of the art work on the buildings had been done by this man, before he passed away.
The crosswalks are very clearly sign posted. We could improve the crosswalks in Australia with this idea.
Next stop was Sprague. Jenny and I were starting to get quite sleepy. The air had warmed up a bit and we had taken off our coats. I was still wearing two windcheaters! But we NEEDED coffee if we were to make it to our resting place for the evening. Sprague was pretty with its crabapple trees and quaint petrol pumps,
We found a service station that sold a range of invigorating coffee. A couple of farmers were having a chat and they very politely opened the doors for us. I just love the nice manners we experience almost everywhere.Next stop was the friendly little town of Atlanta, Illinois. There's another giant here - the Bunyan Giant who is holding a giant hot dog
Here's information about the other 2 Illinois giants.
I loved this little bench sitting amidst evidence of fall.
Jenny and I needed to use the restroom so we went to the beautiful local library.
I picked up a fascinating book about the apostle Paul for 0.25 cents! Outside the library they had some genuine millstones.
In terms of sight seeing, that was it for today. We drove one last leg - 47 miles - down the Interstate highway (which I'm guessing replaced that section of the old Route 66) until we reached the capital city of Illinois - Springfield - the location of our hotel - the Comfort Inn, where again, the people were so friendly and accommodating.
After taking things to our room, Jenny and Catherine were so exhausted, they just had to go to bed. I still had a bit of energy, so I went and filled the petrol tank in readiness for tomorrow's journey to St Louis. Well, that was easier said than done!! Luckily a lovely young military man called Jason was only too happy to help me figure out the process.
I filled the tank and it cost me the best part of $32! Even with the difference of the Aussie dollar and the Greenback - fuel is pretty cheap here!I'm grateful for your company. It's fun to be able to share this journey with you. Until tomorrow, I wish you all the best, because you deserve it.
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