The First Day On The Road - June 22, 2010

After a traditional breakfast at Lou Mitchells Diner this morning, we launched our adventure from the historic Route 66 eastern terminus in the Chicago Loop. Traveling the old route, we worked our way through the Chicago suburbs of Cicero, Berwyn and Lyons eventually stopping in old downtown Joliet, where they have a great Route 66 Museum and Welcome Center. The next "hot spot" on the route was at the Launching Pad Drive In (restaurant) where we got our first photo of one of the Route 66 Giants, Gemini Giant. Farther down the road, we stopped in Dwight at Ambler's Texaco which is a 1930s era historic gas station which the community preserves as a historic monument. On to Pontiac, we stopped at the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum which is located in a terrific old firehouse building downtown. We didn't slow down much at Towanda but we did stop to explore a bit in Atlanta. This turns out to be a very small rural community but it has very interesting historical ties with Abraham Lincoln going back to when he was a struggling country lawyer. We also learned that the Kickapoo Creek in Peoria continues all the way to Atlanta. As if that wasn't enough, Atlanta also is home to the Bunyon Giant (relocated from Cicero) and the Hot Dog Giant! After that we continued south staying on the historic route including a 1.4 mile stretch of which is still paved with bricks. We wrapped up the day after logging 290 miles at Edwardsville, IL which puts about 15 miles from the Mississippi River. Tomorrow, on to Saint Louis and points west!

     Dave

Adams St. at Lakeshore Drive in downtown Chicago.

Lou Mitchells Restaurant on Jackson St.

Ogden Ave. is Old Route 66 in Berwyn, Illinois.

Route 66 exhibition in the Joliet Museum, Dave looks confused?

Mike's favorite movie guys!

The Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois.

Dwight, Illinois Texaco.

Dave talking to the help!!

 Pontiac, Illinois Museum in the old fire house, very nice.

This would look good in our great room?

Atlanta, Illinois clock tower and library, very nice restorations.

Lincoln spent time in Atlanta writing a campaign speech.

Dave investigating the Bunyon Giant!!!

Who knew Route 66 was brick paved?