Route 66. Chicago end.
Discussion
Next year I intend to drive as much of Route 66 as is left.
In 1996 I got half-way (from California)
but the incessant moaning from the passenger seat meant that I turned right just after Oklahoma and went to New Orleans to prevent further damage to my right ear.
I love ramshackle motels, lunch-counters, diners, blues and pre-seventies Americana in general.
Ideally I want to do it in something appropriate (50s) which I may bring back.
What shouldn't I miss?
In 1996 I got half-way (from California)
but the incessant moaning from the passenger seat meant that I turned right just after Oklahoma and went to New Orleans to prevent further damage to my right ear.
I love ramshackle motels, lunch-counters, diners, blues and pre-seventies Americana in general.
Ideally I want to do it in something appropriate (50s) which I may bring back.
What shouldn't I miss?
City of St Louis is a bit of a pit, I went to University not far from there and I hate the damned place.
Although, in the area.. You want to stop at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, that's a local landmark and it is on old 66. Once that's done get back on 44, take it to the Poplar Street Bridge (Where it merges with 55 and 70 and 64) and take the interestate until you are well clear of East St Louis... say around Edwardsville, IL
St Louis is also famous for St Louis style Pizza, so stop at an Imo's or Cecil Whitaker's.
If you are spending time in St Louis there are some interesting things to do, the Anheuser-Busch brewery, the bars on historic Laclede's Landing, the Gateway Arch, the Zoo and Missouri Botanical Gardens, etc.
66 is well signed through Illinois
Stop in Springfield, IL and have a horseshoe sandwich.
bear in mind that 66 can be a very lonely road through much of central Illinois, but if you've already driven half of it you already know how sparsely populated America is.
Oh, in Chicago, if you do not go to Lou Malnati's for a deep dish Pizza... well.. you have to do it.
Although, in the area.. You want to stop at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, that's a local landmark and it is on old 66. Once that's done get back on 44, take it to the Poplar Street Bridge (Where it merges with 55 and 70 and 64) and take the interestate until you are well clear of East St Louis... say around Edwardsville, IL
St Louis is also famous for St Louis style Pizza, so stop at an Imo's or Cecil Whitaker's.
If you are spending time in St Louis there are some interesting things to do, the Anheuser-Busch brewery, the bars on historic Laclede's Landing, the Gateway Arch, the Zoo and Missouri Botanical Gardens, etc.
66 is well signed through Illinois
Stop in Springfield, IL and have a horseshoe sandwich.
bear in mind that 66 can be a very lonely road through much of central Illinois, but if you've already driven half of it you already know how sparsely populated America is.
Oh, in Chicago, if you do not go to Lou Malnati's for a deep dish Pizza... well.. you have to do it.
Thanks a lot to you both.
Captain Cadillac's mention of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard had me reaching for Michael Wallis's "Route66 The Mother Road" In 1996 I stopped at virtually every diner/cafe I came to (much to my wife's delight...she was none to thrilled that I'd only book in to motels that looked condemned either) and took the book in with me.
Somewhere near Flagstaff, one of Ted's relatives Margie Drewes(can't read her married name but it's definitely got "uss" in it) came over and signed the book to the effect that any Frozen Custard I might consume would not be followed by a bill. I look forward to establishing whether there's a time-limit.
Howard and Mary Nichols of Pop Hicks' restaurant in Clinton, Oklahoma were also driving Route 66 "because it's in your blood and doesn't let go" They phoned Michael Wallis who cheerfully gave up an afternoon to show me stuff I would otherwise have missed.
At risk of sounding mawkish,I have never been more moved or enchanted by something as prosaic as a road but there is something tangibly magical that I can't begin to explain. I even brought back a 6 square inch block laboriously liberated from a section that was closed in the 60's.
You can rest assured that I'll take enormous pleasure of hitting all the recommended spots while avoiding the less savoury areas.
Thanks again, I'll send you a postcard!
Captain Cadillac's mention of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard had me reaching for Michael Wallis's "Route66 The Mother Road" In 1996 I stopped at virtually every diner/cafe I came to (much to my wife's delight...she was none to thrilled that I'd only book in to motels that looked condemned either) and took the book in with me.
Somewhere near Flagstaff, one of Ted's relatives Margie Drewes(can't read her married name but it's definitely got "uss" in it) came over and signed the book to the effect that any Frozen Custard I might consume would not be followed by a bill. I look forward to establishing whether there's a time-limit.
Howard and Mary Nichols of Pop Hicks' restaurant in Clinton, Oklahoma were also driving Route 66 "because it's in your blood and doesn't let go" They phoned Michael Wallis who cheerfully gave up an afternoon to show me stuff I would otherwise have missed.
At risk of sounding mawkish,I have never been more moved or enchanted by something as prosaic as a road but there is something tangibly magical that I can't begin to explain. I even brought back a 6 square inch block laboriously liberated from a section that was closed in the 60's.
You can rest assured that I'll take enormous pleasure of hitting all the recommended spots while avoiding the less savoury areas.
Thanks again, I'll send you a postcard!
From the Illionois end, stop at the '66 museum in Pontiac. There's so much history there. Try and see as many of the 'giant' people dotted around. The first is a spaceman, the next is a dude holding a giant hot dog. Turns someone overordered Giant Lumberjakcs, so most were sold on and modified as other giant people.
Springfield, Il is pretty cool too - but only if you love Lincoln as much as they do. It was his birthplace and EVERYTHING (and I'm not joking) is Lincoln branded. That said, the Lincoln Tomb is really interesting.
If you do go to St. Louis, make sure you go to the City Museum - it's incredible. The guide book describes it as a cross between an art installation and a giant jungle gym. You'll need to be feeling active and not at all hungover if you want to give it a proper go. I was hungover and it was a real struggle. Also - avoid flip flops.
If I remember anything else I'll post it here for you. I did the whole thing last summer. T'was amazing.
Springfield, Il is pretty cool too - but only if you love Lincoln as much as they do. It was his birthplace and EVERYTHING (and I'm not joking) is Lincoln branded. That said, the Lincoln Tomb is really interesting.
If you do go to St. Louis, make sure you go to the City Museum - it's incredible. The guide book describes it as a cross between an art installation and a giant jungle gym. You'll need to be feeling active and not at all hungover if you want to give it a proper go. I was hungover and it was a real struggle. Also - avoid flip flops.
If I remember anything else I'll post it here for you. I did the whole thing last summer. T'was amazing.
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