I’ve been trying to think of the best way to relate my travels and adventures, while still keeping my posts easy to track. I mean, I love being all Miss Creative Writer with “The Dream is Still Alive” and all that, but that’s not terribly organized for you, my reader. So I’ve decided to list out my travels state by state. We’ll see if that helps. Since I started in Chicago, we’ll begin with Illinois! Go figure.
Now, I’ve already had a post about my initial beginning, but for those of you only just joining us, here is the state of Illinois as a whole:
Chicago
Where it begins in Chicago
As you read, you will find that not only do I not care for big cities, but I will actually avoid them at all costs. I couldn’t avoid Chicago entirely, though – it’s the beginning! So I drove to the starting point, snapped a couple pictures of the “Begin” sign, and moved on. I never even got out of my car in the entire city of Chicago. Granted, as far as cities go, Chicago is fabulous! And if I had the time, money and the tour guide, I’d spend some time there. Not this trip, though. Moving on!
Joliet
A very pretty little town and very proud of being what they consider as the start of Route 66. They have a very nice museum there.
Route 66 Museum in Joliet, IL
Personally, I was thinking to myself that I needed to make some miles on this, my first day. So I moved on pretty quickly. But this is a town worth further exploration.
Wilmington – Braidwood – Gardner – Dwight
In Wilmington you can see the Gemini Giant, one of 3 “Muffler Men” giants in IL. The Launching Pad Drive In restaurant, in front of which he stands, is no longer open.
Gemini Giant, Wilmington, IL
But the Polka Dot Drive In, in Braidwood, is still open and dishing up classic burger and fries. It was fun to see some of the characters around the place, too.
Polka Dot Drive In, Braidwood, IL
Characters at the Polka Dot
Elvis and Me
Blues Brothers at the Polka Dot
Gardner
Most of IL had really good markers pointing out Route 66. Gardner is the first place where I saw it painted on the road!
Rt66 is well marked through IL
Dwight
About this point, I had decided to call it a day. After all, I’d actually driven 3 hours from Indianapolis to the starting point in Chicago. I then spent several hours driving and exploring from Joliet onward. I pulled up my trusty bookings app and reserved a room at a motel in Dwight. Here I learned my first lesson: not all motels use the common websites to advertise (booking.com, travelocity, etc). I was a little concerned that I was overspending my budget on my first night out, so I prayed that God would simply show me how to save money moving forward. As I pulled up to my reserved motel, I saw a motel literally across the street advertising half the price! I cancelled the original reservation and got my cheaper room ($46).
Throughout my trip God has guided me so that I have remained safe and secure.
Okay, so the room smelled really strongly of the chemical disinfectant they used. But it was clean, and I just left the door open for a bit to air the place out. I slept comfortably and started off fresh the next day. I even started with a tasty breakfast at a Route 66 diner just down the road.
Great place for breakfast!
Odell
There is an adorable gift shop and photo opportunity. A little pricey compared to later gift shops, but the woman there was so nice and so fun to talk with!
Odell, IL gift shop
Photo op across the street!
Pontiac
Amazing town! They have a fabulous museum (free) and murals on buildings around town. I also got a picture with Abe Lincoln. Every time I started to drive away, I saw something else that I wanted to photograph.
Wall murals in Pontiac, IL
Wall murals in Pontiac, IL
Wall murals in Pontiac, IL
Wall murals in Pontiac, IL
Me and Abe Lincoln in Pontiac, IL
The only photos you will regret are the ones you didn’t take!
Towanda
Towanda!
I didn’t see or do anything particularly notable here. I just like the name. Towanda! Say it loud – with gusto – and throw your hands in the air! TOWANDA!!
Bloomington/Normal
Big city alert! Move along, folks. Nothing for us here.
Funks Grove
Funks Grove
Tiny gift shop, but fabulous Maple Sirup. They explain why it’s spelled “sirup” instead of “syrup”.
Atlanta
It’s another Muffler Man giant!
Paul Bunyon, Atlanta, IL
Lincoln
This town is large enough that I would normally avoid it as a “big city”, but it had the World’s Largest Covered Wagon with a giant Abe Lincoln sitting in the driver’s seat. How cool is that! Lots of other stuff to see and do here, but I moved on pretty quickly.
World’s Largest Covered Wagon – Lincoln, IL
It’s big! World’s Biggest Covered Wagon
Springfield
Our third Muffler Man! He stands outside the Lauterbach Tires shop and he used to hold a tire in one hand. I rather like the American flag.
Lauterbach Man, Springfield, IL
Okay, so, technically, according to my arbitrary definition, this is a big city, too. But I was on the far side of exhausted so I asked around at the restaurant where I had dinner and I was directed to the Route 66 Motel. Room was clean, no chemical smell, but the whole place was overwhelmingly done in a Route 66 motif. Well, what would you expect from the “Route 66 Motel”? $72 for the night.
A fun place to stay
Carlinville
Okay, so this town isn’t even listed on the “Here It Is” map! That’s a shame, it should be listed. They have a classic, beautiful town square with businesses surrounding a park in the middle. They have their nod to Route 66, but it’s not the foundation of the town. I found this place very refreshing! They have this little pizza joint right on one corner in the town square that is fabulous! $7 for their all you can eat pizza buffet. Totally worth blowing the diet for this!
I have a ways to go!
And here we leave Illinois – that is, the next major stop is St. Louis, MO. So that will be the next post. This covers 2 1/2 days of travel. I have not mentioned the beauty of the landscape nor the enjoyment in viewing so many towns and neighborhoods along the way. This is something that must be experienced. Photos just cannot do justice. I rested where I wanted and explored when it took my fancy. This is the freedom afforded by a road trip – and such was the freedom sought on Route 66 by so many since 1926, 90 years ago!
Watch for my next post as we move on to Missouri.
I am searching for the other side of the next hill where I am certain I will find new recipes, new sights and new fabric.
- Route 66: Navigating New Mexico - November 22, 2016
- Route 66: Touring Texas - November 11, 2016
- Route 66:Over Oklahoma - June 1, 2016