After being out for the show and up blogging we slept in a
little today but By 10:30 or so we had checked out and headed off to get the real
journey underway. Between the two of us juggling maps, guidebooks and the GPS
we quickly learned that we’d need to stay on our toes. The GPS routes that I
downloaded do not behave entirely as expected but it will take some more
attention to fully understand them. Meanwhile we have plenty of good resources
and it’s working well.
After 1 misstep that got us needlessly on the interstate we
navigated our way back to the Mother Road and did well for the rest of the day.
We did manage to catch the BEGIN sign of route 66 in Chicago, that was one I
was really happy to nail. One cool moment as we drove away from the city was
when I looked in the rearview mirror and saw a panoramic view of the Chicago
skyline.
It wasn’t long before we saw unique city signs acknowledging Route
66 such as in Berwin. Breakfast was late but as 1:00 PM approached we were
finding our appetites. Lorna realized that we were closing in on Dell Rhea Chicken
Basket a Route 66 Roadside Attraction since 1966. It’s on a small section of
remaining roadway that has essentially become a city street. Getting there meant
getting off the interstate and on afterwards. As expected some segments no
longer exist and sometimes you need to go a few exits to jump the gaps. We took
the lunch buffet and sampled what was offered including the fried chicken. The
breading was significant and very tasty. The breast I had was juicy and flavorful.
The Italian meatloaf was also noteworthy. The place has been featured on Diners,
Drive-ins and Dives. Business was brisk for being after the noon hour. The restaurant
had a very vintage style, inside and out, Route 66 décor was evident.
One curiosity that
began building almost immediately was wondering how many others were making the
same journey. I did hear some chatter that certainly suggested that we were not
alone.
Joliet was the next stop. As we entered town there is a park
that includes some informative signs and the Rich and Creamy ice cream stand.
It sports a rooftop ice cream cone emblazoned with the town slogan, “Joliet
Kicks on Route 66”. There were interpretive signs and the our first vintage gas
pump. Just as we have had local lighthouse and bear trails they have these vintage
fuel pumps. We stopped at the Visitors Center and got more guide pamphlets.
Then we hit the Rialto Square Theater which has become a concert / performing arts
type of theater. Kathy Griffin was there Sunday, Trace Adkins comes in July.
The outside is a grand stone structure. The last stop was the Old Joliet
Prison, complete with one of those gas pumps. The prison is an intricate stone
structure with high walls, observation turrets all prisoner quarried of local
limestone. The facility has been closed.
We headed down the road into Wilmington we reached the
Launching Pad Restaurant, home of the Gemini Giant, a tall (20+”) green metal
astronaut holding a small rocket. The restaurant is for sale and nobody was
there as after 4:00. Some of these towns seemed painfully quiet and they seem
to have been hit hard by the economy. A small sign asked that after stopping
for pictures to please come inside to help support the giant.
In Braidwood we did stop for a snack at the Polka Dot
Drive-in, established 1956. The building had a small traditional carport awning
in the front and was surrounded with iconic statues. Marylin, Fabian, Elvis,
Betty Boop, the Blues Brothers, you get the picture. They served a mix of drive
in food and ice cream. The place was tidy and doing a steady business. I
sampled the “World Famous Chili Cheese
Fries”. I think Lorna made the better choice with her frappe.
This was all fine and good but the first place that got my
heart was Gardner. Route 66 diverts from the long straight away and meanders
thought this little village. The land is flat, the kids playing on the
playgrounds and it really had that Middle America small town feel. Driving into
the village we came upon our first Route 66 shield painted down on the
pavement. The 2 room jail, a vintage rail dining car and a tribute to a local
minister that helped avert nuclear catastrophe were some of the stories the
village held.
Back on the straight and narrow of 66 we traveled south
realizing that rooms were not on every corner. The next town, Dwight held
promise. We rolled into town and snagged a room at the Classic Inn, a well worn
but clean motel. After 2 nights in Chicago it will help balance the lodging
budget. After unloading it was time to go find dinner with a few suggestions
from the desk clerk.
A sign for a historic windmill caught our eye and soon the windmill
did too. After meandering through the neighborhood we were there. A few photos’
, read the descriptive signs and off we
went. We circled up to the main village but nothing there caught our eye.
As we circled out of the village looking for food we stumbled
on the restored Ambler-Decker Texaco station, now a landmark stop. Built in
1933 it was the longest operating fuel station on Route 66. Complete with a
porta-a-pottie and picnic tables, it was a welcoming attraction. Inside are a
number of vintage items on display but we won’t be around when they open.
And there, across the intersection was dinner, The Old Route
66 Family Restaurant. A simple, home style BLT hit the spot and it was back to
our room to catch up on things.
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