2geonomads

At last a good nights sleep but awake by 5.00 to finish the previous day’s blog.Fairly basic but acceptable breakfast at 7.30 and set off on the next leg to St Louis by 8.30.
Doug is in the driver’s seat and I am the navigator for the day.
Faith in my ability to navigate somewhat compromised when I quote a roadside sign as reading
Oik enez when in fact it was Qik ‘n’ ez as in Quick ‘n’ easy. Much hilarity at my expense.
Mick was keen for us to drive through a town called Normal so that we could say that it was the closest we would get to normal all day but we couldn’t locate it, a definite sign of things to come during the day.
First real port of call is the small town of Atlanta which is a perfect example of a community which was in the 1940’s devastated by the arrival of the large inter-state highway but in later years has enjoyed a huge resurgence. The Palms Grill Cafe is beautifully appointed and offers great coffee and a wide array of homemade tarts and other pastries at very affordable prices.
Other notable features:
The Bunyon Giant, brother to the Gemini Giant seen a couple of days earlier, but this time with a Giant Hot Dog in his hand.
A 40 foot Clock Tower and a bright yellow water tower with a Giant Smiley Face.
Move on to the town of Lincoln, named after dear old Abe , and after much searching we find the World’s Largest Covered Wagon with the ubiquitous AL holding the reins. Decidedly underwhelming.
In spite of my obviously brilliant navigation we manage to get totally lost and end up heading north rather than south. The planned visits to Broadwell, Elkhart and Williamsville fail to eventuate as we never locate the towns!
After many kms driving through cornfields ( or is it maize? ) we get back on track and head to Springfield, capital of Illinois, and home to Abe Lincoln.
Park the car at the park dedicated to AB and surprised to find that the car park attendant has been to Bunbury with the navy.
A tour of AB’s original is made memorable by the guide from Arkansas who has an accent the like of which none of us has ever heard before.( we thought he was laying it on to start off with but no it seemed to be the real deal.
Before leaving town we visit the rather grandiose memorial and tomb of the great man and then get lost again trying to leave the town.
Keeping track of the Old Route 66 in this area is becoming increasingly difficult but we manage to travel south to Staunton where we come across Henry’s Rabbit Ranch and Route 66 Emporium.
For your information The Volkswagen Golf was called a VW Rabbit in the US, hence the pen in the shop containing two huge bunnies. God only knows how these gift stores all survive along 66.
At Edwardsville we attempt to make a recommended side trip to the Sugar Creek Covered Bridge.
It was obviously very well covered because we never found that either!
Finally enter Missouri over the huge Mississippi River and set off in search of another Days Inn for the night. End up in a totally black neighbourhood which was none too salubrious so decided to drive on to south of the city of St Louis where we came across a more appealing Days Inn.
Lovely dinner at an Irish Grill and Bar where we enjoyed some banter with the delightful young girl serving us. Not really sure what she made of us old larrikins but she entered into the spirit of things.
A long but thoroughly enjoyable day with Doug doing a sterling job driving for at least 7 hours.
Other points of note:
It has taken me 2 days to notice that Mick no longer has a moustache and is looking more youthful by the day.
Doug on the other hand,in his unshaven state is looking like a cross between Willie Nelson and Steve Mcqueen’s character in the film ‘Papillon’ ( obviously without the latter’s blue eyes and good looks ).
Looking forward to the excitement of tomorrow ( 4 th of July ) and more adventures with the 3 Amigos.

Cheers

The Obese Ferret