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| Route 66 Guides |
I woke up this morning in Chicago and ready to go. I headed out to the end of Adam Street and Buckingham Foutain and the Chicago Harbor or for my needs the beginning of Route 66, The Mother Road from Chicago to Santa Monica.
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| Buckingham Fountain |
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| Red line (Route 66) Blue Dot, ME |
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| At Buckingham Fountain in a Fish Bowl |
I followed Adams Street down until I turned onto Ogden Avenue. At the enter section was the first sign of Route 66 . The sun was shining and the day warmed up to low 70's. A perfect day to be in a Jeep Driving going cross country.
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| Adams and Odgen Ave. |
The Guide mentioned a Welcome to Route 66 sign. Well I never found it, but the Tiger O' Styles Sign was about where it was suppose to be.
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| Welcome Sign to Route 66 |
As I droven on I had to stop for the Blues Brothers. I seem to always find them. I have a picture of them in the Red light district in Frankfurt, Germany too.
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| Blues Brothers |
I finally got going and saw the Route 66 Raceway next to the Chicago Speedway. I stopped in talking with Security and was able to walk over to the track and get a picture. At this point so you know I have no idea what all to expect on the trip so everything is thrilling to me as I find myself stopping all day long. I think I went about 200 miles in 8 hours.
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| Raceway |
After passing the raceway I came into Wilmington, Il and saw the Gemini Giant. There aren't to many Giants left on the Route so have to check out the ones that are left. He has been there since 1960.
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| Launching Pad Gemini Giant |
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| Launching Pad Drive In |
In Dwight, Il I came up on the drive-through coffee shop. It wasn't open, but a little different being built on 2 connex boxes or freight containers, whichever you prefer to call it.
This is a restored 1933 service station which was the longest operating gas station along Route 66 until it was closed in 1999.
I stopped across the street at the Old Route 66 Family Restaurant for lunch. Nothing to exciting, Just a Turkey Club, but the dinner is set up with Route 66 everything. Pretty neat.
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| Il, Route 66 Museum |
The drive goes on and more stops. I took alittle longer in Pontiac, Il. They have the Illinois Route 66 Museum which is inside an old Pontiac Fire station. The city had Murals painted all over the city June 25-28, 2009. Several artist came to town and painted away.
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| Backside of Museum |
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| Wishing Well Hotel |
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| Daniels Oil Company |
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| Roszell's Soda Fountain |
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| Route 66 with My Jeep |
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| Drink Coca-Cola |
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| RCA Victor |
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| Pontiac on Route 66 |
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| Vermilion River and Mill |
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| Allen Candy Co. |
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| Pontiac Fire Department |
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| Waldmire Memorial Mural |
Finally I came upon the Double H Bar in Sherman. Il and had a couple Bud Lights. It was a bar built in 1946 and still open. It has only had 4 different owners and built from Homemade concrete blocks.
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| Double H Bar |
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| Route 66 HOTEL |
Tonight I am staying at the Route 66 HOTEL and Conference Center in Springfield, Il. There are a lot more pictures and only day one. So I am calling it a night to get some rest. I hope you are enjoying the History and the fun of the Mother Road across Illinois. I am hoping to make it to St. Louis and maybe a little more.
I finally got going and saw the Route 66 Raceway next to the Chicago Speedway. I stopped in talking with Security and was able to walk over to the track and get a picture. At this point so you know I have no idea what all to expect on the trip so everything is thrilling to me as I find myself stopping all day long. I think I went about 200 miles in 8 hours. 
