Start of Route 66...

Finally,yesterday, we started our trip along Route 66. and managed to drive her almost all the way to Springfield, Illinois. It was sad to see bits of the original old road overgrown with gras running along the newer Illinois 53. Yet, we did drive on a spur of the first route (but it was that dark and we were so lonely, that we hurried to get out of there :))

So our trip took us through Joliet where Pat had a drink with the Blues Brothers at the Route 66 Visitor's center. Then we came by the "Gemini Giant" in Willmington, ate at the Dixie (first truck stop in the 1930s) and finally had a look at the huge Hot Dog Man in Atlanta.

All tired of this first day, we wanted to hit the sack, but it took us about an hour to figure out where this damned 6th street was to get to our Motel. As we got there, we were welcomed by a group of Harley drivers (are these the famous Hell's Angels???).

So today, we're gonna go to the Lincoln Museum and the Presidential Library here in Springfield, hoping to find some bakery that isn't closed as it is labour day :) Haven't seen the Simpsons yet, but there is another Springfield down the road, so we'll see....

This afternoon we are driving on to St Louis, Missouri, where we hope to trade in our Dodge caravan for a smaller Chevy we booked (they weren't able to give us the right car in Chicago, so we are having a Dodge again, just as we did in Canada, do you remember, Philippe :))

Hit the road, Jack! (Who is this Jack anyway?:))