Day Two - Springfield IL to St. Louis

Springfield was amazing! I went to one of the best museums I have ever been too, I visited the grave of one of the greatest men to ever walk the planet and most importantly, I VISITED THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE CORNDOG!!!

Yes, that is me at the Lucky Dog Drive-In. Eating a whatever-they-call-a corn-dog. In other news, see that little cup of cheezy sauce? You can get that everywhere! It is fries' best friend. I love the middle west!

This was lunch (between the Lincoln stuff and the frozen custard) but I had to show it first Because when you visit the birthplace of the corn dog, you must open with a giant picture of you holding a corn dog!

After a hearty breakfast of pastry and fruit we were off to the Lincoln Home. This site is run by the National Parks Service and is free. It is a whole little neighborhood that has been preserved. I panoramed the house. Don't worry, it isn't actually coming out at you from the screen. I just haven't mastered the panoram the way I have the selfie. (Brace yourselves...)

 

 These are a few of my favorite things. First is Lincoln's couch. It looks just like his couch should look. The other is his desk. He wrote the “A house divided cannot stand” at this desk. AT THIS DESK!! It is bad form to faint in Lincoln's pre-presidential bedroom, so I didn't. But damn. He saved America at this desk...

Next up was the Lincoln Library and Museum. Mom had to basically force me to go into the museum. I acquiesced, and am so glad I did! It was beautifully done. I loved it so much that I didn't take a single picture. (I stole this pic of awkward first-date looking Linc and Mary from the internet.) My favorite things were one of President Lincoln's stovepipe hats and the movie about the library. During the library movie mom leaned over and said (in a tone full of disgust) “We aren't in the library, are we??” As if being in a library were such a terrible thing. I regretted every meal I dissected for that woman! (She later begged my forgiveness, we're fine.)

 

We went to Lincoln's grave on the way out of town. It was very moving. We jumped right on the highway because we were running so late after spending pretty much the whole day in Springfield, making us two for two for days NOT actually on Route 66. But it was totally worth it. And, hey, we are Route 66 adjacent. 

 

There was no way I was going to miss Chain-of-Rocks Bridge. We drove over a terrifyingly rickety bridge to reach this “too dangerous for cars, but sure, walk across it, if you DARE” bridge. Oh yeah, we accepted the challenge! (Until we got really tired after about 100 feet because it was hot and we are old.)

  But there's always time for selfies!!

That's the mighty Mississip behind me. 

We drove into St. Louis because mom was determined that I see the Arch.

“Nice arch.” I said.

And we left.

 

 

We went to Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard, which is famous for its concretes. They are like a blizzard, but with frozen custard and amazing mix-ins. I had something with mint and macadamia nuts that was very good. Mom had something with chocolate, raspberries and macadamia nuts that was DIVINE! I kept stealing bites, but since she is gimpy, she couldn't stop me. 

But look! She can hold a small cup of water in her, shall we say, less powerful hand. I was so proud! And while she was flush with success, I stole some more of her concrete.

After the treat, we went to George and Helen's. They are awesome. More about them next time!

 

Day One - Chicago to St. Louis!

We left Mandi and Pete's palace of hospitality and began out trip to the LAND OF LINCOLN!

Lou Mitchell's is the place to start the route according to everyone. Great food, fun atmosphere. If you miss it you may as well just turn back because your trip is going to SUCK!

So whatever you do, don't start your trip on the Fourth of July.

Derp.

So we just began at the beginning. A very friendly gentleman was walking by and chatted about the Route and took a picture of us. It was a nice place to start. Of course, I can't find that pic so you will get this hideous selfie instead. Brace yourself, there will be many. You will become more familiar with my nostrils as this blog progresses.

At first I took pictures of everything!

Giant hot dogs, gas pumps and ice cream with fictional Chicagoans dancing on a roof.

Eventually I calmed down and pretty much just took pictures of giants. All the giants were holding something. Muffler guy has a rocket, Paul Bunyan has a wiener and Abe has a book. Incidentally, I was once chastised by a student for reading while driving. (Oh stop it, I was in traffic that was NOT MOVING!) I can't wait to point out that a great American like President Lincoln was guilty of the same thing!

I also took many selfies with giants. Mom was tired of getting out of the car. I feel like I am really good at selfies. I ALWAYS get my eyebrows in the picture. And the eyebrows are the Venetian blinds of the soul!

I took a picture of mom taking a picture. Yes, with her gimpy arm she still tried to take pictures. I am turning the pages of her book for her and fetching her cool drinks, but she's Ansel Adams when she sees a plastic dinosaur on top of a tire store!

We ate at the Polka Dot Diner and each posed with our favorite icon.

Look at her go! Mom even wrote a postcard with her injured limb.

This very cute library was visited by Abraham Lincoln on the fourth of July back in Eighteen Forty-Something. We spend a lot of time acting like Abraham Lincoln, now that I think about it.

I took some scenic photos, which I rarely do. 

On the top one, if you look carefully under the red sign there is a strip of original road with weeds growing up through it. It seemed like a big deal at the time. Of course I have now driven on original road [spoiler!], it isn't such a big deal.

We went off route because of weather concerns and made it to the hotel in Springfield by 3 or so. Mom proceeded to nap. 

I roused her for dinner, but is impossible to keep her out of a comfy hotel bed.

Apparently I wore her out completely. 

I think she might be faking it...

The Day Before THE DAY!

The last bit of travel before starting the actual Route 66 was 325 miles or so from Cleveland to Chicago. 
Never ones to miss an opportunity to horn in on friends and family, we stopped halfway in Toledo to see Don and Jill. 
Don is my step-brother, Jill is his wife. Rounding out the family is niece Hayley and her boyfriend Scott. 
Nephew Noah was in Africa or some such nonsense.  
Opportunity missed, Noah. 
They made a lovely brunch for us and then we took off as soon as we dropped out napkins on the table. 

 



 Before we left, however, there was the tender parting of the eternal lovebirds.

And the obligatory family photo. (Not pictured, Scott. Thanks for taking the picture, Scott. I really hope Hayley's boyfriend is actually named Scott. I really hope Hayley actually spells her name Hayley.)

I had this idea that I would buy a postcard and an interesting local snack in each state I visited. 

Mom and I split a banana whoopie pie when we were still in Ohio, but it turns out that it isn't regional. Just gross.

We got Indiana kettle corn when we crossed the border, but mostly because we were just jonesing for kettle corn after hearing the stories of tiny little Jill (seriously, she is miniature, see above) and how she eats it like the cookie monster eats, well, cookies.

This plan lasted until Illinois where we promptly forgot to eat a regional treat. Although we did eat like we were going to the chair thanks to these people.

This is Mandi and Pete. They are THE BEST!! My pal Kristine and I (and our sons) stayed with them when we came out here on a college visit. We basically forced the kids to look at a Chicago college so we would have an excuse. They made us a huge feast and Pete gave the boys valuable life lessons that they refuse to tell us about. They make you feel more than just at home. They make you wish you lived in their house!

This visit was no exception. Pete made ribs for dinner. Mom had said earlier, "Oh dear I don't like ribs. I don't want to be rude..." I told her that since I had to cut her meat anyway (see cast above) I would make sure to give her only the most tender, least-fatty morsels.

This is what happened.



She turned in to a rib-eating monster! Although that shot glass is just a prop...

...for her! These are my shot glasses. Pete poured me a flight of bourbons that were amazing. 

Before you judge, I only let him put 1/4 shot in each one. Because I had a big drive the next day.

Okay, it was really because Mom was there. 

I did manage to splash a slug of one of these beauties into my coke when she wasn't looking though.

Yeah...I'm a rebel. 

(A rebel who cut's her mom's dinner and is in bed by 9:30, but a rebel nonetheless!)

This is where I slept. It was basically a prison cot, topped with a slab of foam. 

It was magnificent! I believe it is a MAGIC prison cot, topped with a slab of MAGIC foam. It is second only to my own bed in sleep-comfort-goodness!

As you may know, I'm a big girl and this was barely wider than me. But it didn't matter. This foamy cot and I were made for each other.

Here is a picture of Mandi and Pete's house because it is so cute.

Here is a picture of Mandi and me because we are so cute!








Here are some pictures I took of the drive-in near my parents' house as the sun was rising (and I was making a coffee run) because it looked so cool that I hoisted my butt out of the car to take them. So I'm putting them in, dammit!

 








Next up:

:

CLEVELAND ROCKS!! (If you keep your expectations low...)

My Michigan cousins are sick so I get an extra day in Ohio. Time to reminisce...   I drove by the house I lived in during elementary school. Gareau Drive has never looked more magnificient. Of course when we lived there, we would often have pink flamingos on the lawn or the "Skaryd Rest Stop" - a dummy sitting atop an old discarded toilet seat - due to a strange series of pranks my parents and the Kotalicks next door were fond of playing on each other.  

I also visited the Spruce school where in fourth grade I decided I would be a school librarian. My class sat on this very floor (although, hopefully, not on the same rug) and heard the librarian read ME AND THE TERRIBLE TWO by Ellen Conford. I was thrilled that there was a job where I got to read at work. I knew I had found my calling!

Since I was already drinking deeply in the well of nostalgia, I ran over to the former North Olmstead public library, which is now the school district offices. But at least this ugly 1960s block still stands. It is where I fell in love with the Betsy Tacy books and where I learned the magic of the Dewey Decimal System. No eye rolling! You have met me, right??

 Since I was in desperate need of sustenance, I stopped by Dairy King. Which should have a sign underneath the big sign which reads - "Not affiliated with any Queens, dairy or otherwise." They have the exact same product names as DQ, but they are cash only and the woman writes all the orders in a notebook. It is truly regal! And my peanut buster [not] parfait was significantly better than the Beverly version due to the addition of whipped cream and a cherry. It's good to be the king!

Heading for Chicago tomorrow - I'll keep you posted!

Hitting the Road!

 The first day of my trip involved a LOT of driving. As far as I can tell, barring any weirdness, it will be the longest driving day of my whole trip. 

But first, please enjoy the beautiful picture to the left. My friend Samara made it for me. I can't decide which I love more - the route 66 sign or the fact that my arms appear to be coming out of my head. Which would be confusing and yet convenient She is adorable. A couple of days before I left I went over to her house to watch the movie CARS with her and Caleb, her little brother. When her friend came over to see if she wanted to go bike riding, she said she couldn't because "I have a grown-up friend over." Her mom and I giggled for about an hour over that. 

Her brother Caleb gave me his extra Tow Mater action figure for the trip. Sharing means caring!

 



You may not be able to see the tiny sign here, but it says WELCOME TO NEW YORK - yes, I took it while I was driving. The first of many foolish driving choices I may be making in the next five weeks...

Whilst driving I listened first to the new Spenser book which was, sadly, a snooze. I switched over to Bill Bryson's ONE SUMMER which I adored, although I found it a bit confusing. However, once I realized that the tracks on my iPad were completely out of order, it made perfect sense. I switched over to singing loudly with the radio. I amused my fellow travelers.

 I met up with my friend Karen in Rochester for lunch. We ate at this adorable diner that had a pie case. (Obviously my excitement over the pie case was so great that I took a blurry picture. But it is a PIE CASE!!) We were comparing our deformed feet and come to find out, Karen was the reason that I bought my favorite new shoes! She had posted about them on the Betsy-Tacy listserv (don't ask...) and so I looked them up and fell in love. We have sent this picture of our feet into "Who Wore it Better" and are breathlessly awaiting the results!

 My hope is to pay enough attention to take a picture of the welcome sign for each state I enter. Pennsylvania had many warning signs. Apparently people need to be REALLY prepared to enter Pennsylvania. Look that that photographic talent!
However, Ohio wasn't so kind. It snuck up on me and I had to settle for a picture of the welcome center which is very proud to be representing Ohio with its weirdly squared letters.

 I got to my parents' house around 7 pm after having been on the road since 5:30. I drove nearly 700 miles and still remained as fresh as a daisy! (picture not included) Why yes, I am Ironman, thanks for asking!