To the border...

Well, I've gone about 130 miles since I've last posted. I'm officially into Missouri, but in this post, I'll only be posting to just before crossing the border. Info on my 'trip' into Missouri will come soon. I've passed some interesting stuff, and some not so interesting stuff... but since I'm the one blogging, I get to decide what you learn about here :).


First up, I passed through Litchfield, IL and the Ariston Cafe. This restaurant has been a Route 66 icon since the '20s.








Next, I 'traveled' into Mount Olive. Here you can find the grave of Mary Harris, better know as "Mother Jones." Mother Jones was a fierce advocate for the rights of miners and children alike. She once led a march of children on the city of New York to protest the deplorable conditions associated with child labor.



This old Shell station, Soulsby's Service is also found in Mt. Olive. It dates back to 1926 before the highway was paved.






Back in the day, you could get your oil changed using their ramp. Looking at the picture, you can imagine the last time the ramp was used. The oak tree grew up between the ramps.










Continuing on, you reach the town of Stanton, IL and Henry's Rabbit Ranch. This is a route 66 visitor center that is a replica of an old filling station. In fact, even the government was fooled by it's 'authenticity' as the EPA showed up and wanted to examine the old gas tanks. The joke was on them though, since the building was never a filling station and had been built 10 years before by the owners Rich and Linda Henry.



Why the "Rabbit Ranch?" The owner's daughter got a pair of rabbits and didn't account for the resulting population explosion. She lived in a single room apartment and things were getting a little out of hand. Rich stepped in and helped out and the next thing you know there was a new attraction on Route 66 - a rabbit ranch.







Hamel, IL is the home of the "Neon Cross Church". It has been a glowing landmark for Route 66 travels for many years.










After Hamel you can travel through Collinsville, IL. Collinsville is famous for it's "World's Largest Catsup Bottle". The bottle is the watertower for the town and a symbol of local pride. The bottle is officially 170-feet high and resides on the land of the former Brooks Catsup Company.








The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is located a few miles west of Collinsville. Here you can find the remains of the largest prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico.





Next up: Entering Missouri

Bloomington to Springfield, and a bit beyond...

Well, I've made more progress... I am currently south of Farmersville, IL. Some things I've passed along my route:

Any place called "Funks Grove" is good in my book!
Founded in 1825 by Isaac Funk, actually very small as the population never got above 50 people.

You'll see this sign that looks like it's spelled wrong, but it's not. The Funk family spells it this way to differentiate their pure maple 'sirup' from those you find in most stores which has sugar added, sometime a LOT of sugar, for sweetness





This is the railroad station, no longer in use because the tracks are long gone.







The old Funk's Grove Country Store









McLean, IL
The first truck stop was founded here in 1928 by J.P. Waters and J.W. Geske. It was always open, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. It was closed only one day due to a fire, till it closed in 2003.







Atlanta, IL
The Bunyon Giant, aka Tall Paul, the fiberglass "muffler man" that used to advertise a restaurant in Berwyn was restored and relocated to Atlanta (Dec 2003), located on Arch St. between Race and Vine.









Atlanta Public Library & Clock Tower, built in 1908, is now a museum, located at the intersection of Arch St. and Race St.








Also located in Atlanta, IL. Has very little (if anything) to do with Route 66, but I thought it was fun anyways.











Springfield, IL

Shea's Filling Station. Bill Shea has been running his business for over half a century here. It is now a monument to Route 66 and those wonderful old time gas stations that once lined America's highways in the pre-Interstate era. You can find all sorts of vintage gas pumps and signs here.






Cozy's Drive In, Home of the original Corn Dog.











Lake Springfield (manmade, 30's) now covers parts of an old 2 lane alignment of Route 66. Remnants are to be found east of I-55, near exits 90, 88 and 83. Some parts of old 66 are now under the normal waterlevel of Lake Springfield, when the water level is low, the road can sometimes still be seen.



I'm officially South of Farmersville, IL... nothing too noteworthy between Springfield and Farmersville.

I hate geese, and other tales from the virtual road

So I've been super busy working (which is a great thing) but that means there is less time to blog about my trip. For those of you who don't know, I'm a substitute teacher for elementary and middle schools. I also work as a sub for a company that (among other things) has houses and day programs for adults who have developmental disabilities. I love both jobs (for the most part), but they both can be physically and mentally tiring. Regardless, I've still been logging the miles. This whole 'trip' has been so much fun already, and I'm only in my home state. There are so many quirky things along route 66 that I never knew about!

The other day, I went on a nice 21 mile bike ride. It was a gorgeous day out, and I had lots of energy. Found a bike path that I have quickly fallen in love with... it's a lot less congested than the previous one, and it loops well. It's right by the river, so I have to deal with river gnats sometimes, which can be annoying, but that's a small price to pay.

It is, however, the time when geese are out in full force with their gosling. Now, I already dislike geese. Although my experiences with them have been limited, they freak me out. Every time any come near, I'm afraid they are going to bite my knee caps. Now that they are out with their babies, they are more protective over their area, and do that creepy hissing thing. Whenever I see a goose now, my heart starts racing and I have a mini-panic moment in my head. Rational? Probably not, but it's pretty much inevitable. To date, I have yet to get attacked, but I live in constant fear that one day, when I let my guard down, I'll be sporting some scary looking beak bites on my shins. Ugh, even the thought has me anxiety-ridden. Here's a picture of a less threatening goose.

I only wish they all were this involved in finding food, thus, not bothering me.










Hopefully when summer finally comes, I'll have more time, and I can find more paths, further from the river to explore without the scary geese.

I do pass, on my new(er) route, the local swimming pool, which used to be the old quarry mines during the mid 1800's. Unlike most city pools, the quarry has sand instead of a cement ground. I was unaware (although it makes sense) that they almost completely drain the pool. Here's a picture of the mostly drained quarry:











Also along my newer bike route, is the Aurora dam. I love watching dams, I don't know why. But in the park near the dam, there are a couple giant red things that look like gears... I have no idea what they really are, but it baffles me as to why they are on display in the park. Here is a picture:










Also in the same park, this sign:










Why anyone would even WANT to swim in the fox river is beyond me.

Gardner to Bloomington

I've logged quite a few miles since my last update, (about 68)... so here's what I've passed lately:


Feddersen's Pizza Garage, a car dealership that has been converted to a pizzeria.

Dwight, IL





The Former Keeley Institute -for treating alcoholics and drug addicts. It is known for it's stained glass windows featuring the senses.

Dwight, IL




The first national bank building. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905.

Dwight, IL






Odell Station operated from 1932 to 1975. It has since been restored and is a Route 66 information.

Odell, IL





Old Log Cabin Inn. This building originally faced the older Route 66 alignment, that was located behind the building. The building was lifted and turned 180 degrees when the alignment changed.

Pontiac, IL


An abandoned stretch of old Route 66. It now serves as a walking path. It's also known as Memory lane.

Towanda, IL







The sight of the original Steak and Shake restaurant. The building is no longer there, but I figured a picture was in order anyways.

Normal, IL

Old buildings and gangster history.

Well, the weather has been up and down (mostly down) in the past week. I was able to get outside and complete some miles in the middle of last week, walking with my friend Sarah and her dog Olive. It's definitely fun to have others along on my 'journey'. I've also been forced to complete some miles in the gym, but with my iPod loaded with good music and a couple movies, I've kept myself occupied during the 'trip'. During my walk with Sarah, we passed by the Furnas Electric company in my town... or rather, I should say where Siemens Automation (Furnas Electric) factory used to be. This building has been there my whole life... and they recently tore it down. I believe they are planning on building apartments there. Here's a couple pictures for you:



This is the building as it used to be.








Completely torn down. I love the gate still standing in the first picture.






Anyways, on to the 'virtual' portion of my trip.

I've gone 70 miles so far, and am currently in between Gardner, IL and Dwight, IL.

Some things that I've recently passed:







Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve


Eagle Hotel, dating from 1836 and 1845, currently being restored (2003). Wilmington, IL

Taken from www.theroadwanderer.net:
The historic Eagle Hotel in Wilmington was built in 1836 and served as a stage stop and hotel. There are tales told around these parts that the old Eagle Hotel was part of the Underground Railroad in the days before the Civil War. The old hotel was already 90 years old when it became a part of Route 66. The Eagle Hotel may well be one of the oldest commercial structures on Illinois Route 66.


The Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad drive-in,
Wilmington, IL










The Riviera Roadhouse, Wilmington, IL

Taken from www.theroadwanderer.net:
James Girot, a South Wilmington businessman, moved buildings from Gardner and South Wilmington and put them all together to form the Riviera structure as it stands today. The Riviera is a true roadhouse! Once movie legends Gene Kelly and Tom Mix regulary stopped here. This was a favoirte haunt of Al Capone and was known as a gangster hangout too. Slot machines and booze were offered to the discrete customer during prohibition. In fact, there's a freezer in the basement with a heavy iron door that was used to hide booze and gambling machines in case of a raid.

Photos of some of the things I've passed so far...

The beginning of the road... Grant Park, Chicago, IL









Buckingham Fountain, Chicago, IL











Art Institute, Chicago, IL













Orchestra Hall, Chicago, IL













Sears Tower (This was recently renamed the Willis Tower... but will probably always be referred to as the Sears Tower)









Union Station, Chicago, IL










Castle Car Wash, Chicago, IL









Henry's Drive-In, Cicero, IL










Bunyon's Hot Dogs (now closed), Cicero, IL













Car Spindle, Formerly in Berwyn, IL. Was removed in 1998.










Hoffman Tower and Dam, Lyons, IL









Stateville Penitentiary, Joliet, IL.
-John Belushi's character was released from here at the beginning of the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers.
-Set of Prison Break, standing in as Fox River State Penitentiary.