Travelling Tales - Part 7

Route 66 here we come. We purchased Route 66 Traveler's Guide & Roadside Companion by Tom Synder.  This became our bible for all things 66 and proved a very useful tome.



Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Drive-in

 Polk a Dot on Route 66





We met with a group of students at the Polk a Dot, they came over to inspect the bike and ask the usual questions. They were with the main man from the Illinois Route 66 Preservation Society and they invited us to tag along with them.  This actually turned out to be a good plan as we got to see in lots of places normally not open to visitors.  Whilst waiting for everyone to sort out their rides a guy (Don) on a Harley turned up and came over for a chat.  He decided to join us all and as it turned out we rode with him until 3 June - more on  that later.

 Riviera Roadhouse - which has now been destroyed by fire

Jail House - Gardiner IL




 Marathon Oil

 Standard Oil Gas Station

Funks Grove Maple Sirup

 We overnighted in Springfield, having our first Mexican meal of the trip, and what would priove to be lots of beers.  Don was a hazard to the liver, not that we needed much encouragement.

29th May - Breakfast at Cozy Dogs where we met up with the students, continued along 66 into Missouri, stopping at the Chain of Bridges - the bridge allows you to walk acorss the Mississipi River back into Illinois

Old cars outside our hotel

Soulsby Service Station

 Chain of Bridge - some of the students

 At this point we parted company with the students and headed into St Louis to see the Gateway to the West, heading then to Ted Drewes for frozen custard yum yum.  Continuing along we had no real plans for where to stop.  Bumped into the students again along the way so ended up overnighting in Sullivan, more Mexican, more beer, it was a mess............

If you missed any parts try the label Travelling Tales or USA Trip 2004 and that should bring up all the previous episodes!

Rufus at 2

  Today our Rufus is 2 years old. 

The time has gone so quickly.  He has grown so fast.  A proper little boy.  

A chatterbox, bright, clever and charming......but then I guess we are biased.

Happy Birthday little man. 

Enjoy your day and see you soon.......

Love You,

Granny & Pops xxxx

Rufus shares his birthday with someone else - Sue over in Utah, have a great day Sue

Travelling Tales - Part 6

Wed 26th May -  Haircut was a success which was a relief, especially when you get used to someone doing your hair for such along time.  Follow this with a 40 minute nerve wracking ride into central Chicago, you need eyes in the back of your head, but we found our hotel without too many problem.  We chose the Best Western Grant Park, good location right near the lake front.  Once bike and luggage were disposed of we headed out and walked the lake shore pathway all the way to Navy Pier where we had a late lunch - burritos




then on to the John  Hancock Centre and went up for a view from the observation deck, spent ages just soaking up the views







and Peter washed a few windows!!!





we followed this with a trip to the Cheesecake Factory and Jamba Juice.  Then on to Michigan Avenue for a few more CD's.  The walk back seemed to take forever, but did work off those cheesecake calories!!







Thursday 27th was spent wandering around Chicago, visiting a Farmers Market, in the park watching the world go by, art galleries, eating.  Took a few photos of the Buckingham Fountain as this is the official start of Route 66 and saves doing it in the morning.  Missing home and garden, had lots of text from the girls, they have decided to come out and meet us in Las Vegas, so sorting flights and hotels.  Feel homesick.  Peter has blisters from all the walking!



Friday 28th - starting Route 66 so that will be Part 7

Travelling Tales - Part 5

If you missed them here are - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Friday 21 May we finished our run on the Natchez Trace and join the chaos that is the interstate making our way to Jackson enroute to Memphis. Peter wanted to visit the Delta Blues Museum in Clarkdale which is a bit off route but we go.  It turned out to be a bit of a disappointment, written up much better than the actual place, but had we not gone we would always have wondered if we missed a treat. Arrived in Memphis around 4pm.  Checked in, showered and then out, we were very close to Beale Street, the whole place seemed much smaller than I imagined it would be, so was easy to get round.  Did a bit of shopping then headed off for drinks and blues.  Very hot today 90 degrees.

Sunday 23rd  we headed over to the Memphis Rock & Soul Museum and did a self guided tour then followed this up with a visit to the Gibson Guitar Factory where we ended up being the only 2 on the tour, so we had a really interesting visit.  Following lunch we walked over to Riverfront Park and on to Mud Island, it was lovely and breezy down by the river so helped with the heat. As we had spent the best part of the day walking, we treated ourself to dinner in the Blue City Cafe for some "south in our mouths", I had catfish and Peter had tamales and chilli, which I tried and wasn't that impressed with, though washed down with a few margaritas they improved!!

  

 

Monday 24th - Gracelands, now I'm not really an Elvis fan but as we were so close we decided to take a look.  First impression was that it was actually a smallish house.  Second it was in a awful location.  The man had no taste in interior design, so so tacky.  I actually can't believe that we paid good money to see it all, but there you go, only took an hour at most.  Then off to get Peter a haircut, before heading on towards Chicago. 

We took scenic Route 51 up through Kentucky spotting some Amish Farmers in their horse and buggys. Arriving on the border of Illinois staying overnight in Cairo on the Mississippi River.....umm only one hotel on the edge of town so made do with that and then had a quiet dinner in a diner in town, spent the evening with the maps, weather channel and a vodka and coke.

Tuesday 25th - Long driving day 389 miles, atmosphere was really weird and I had an allergy attack, eyes streaming.  Lots of storms brewing but we managed to get to South Holland a suburb of Chicago without getting wet.  Checked out a hairdresser for me for the Wednesday, booked an hotel for central Chicago, dinner and an early night.

Next stop Chicago and then the start of Route 66

TGIF

A gift from a dear friend

Wind blown rose - wish you could smell this

 Oh well!

Jubilee Monday.........wet )-:

Yes folks, the weather forecast got it wrong.  Whilst not as bad as yesterday, we got caught in several heavy showers.  We managed to get round the stalls and rides at the Big Lunch, sat watching the Tai Chi demo when the heavens opened, hailstones, rain, we managed to get Rufus into his buggy and covered over before he got soaked, not so us. It was such a shame, we sheltered for a while then decided to call it a day.  By the time we got back into town Rufus was asleep so we crept into Cafe Nero for a hot drink and a cake.

Peter was feeling sick on the teacups!

Rufus and Peter spent the rest of the afternoon playing with a cardboard box, me ironing, his parents painting his new bedroom.  The ears, well I just couldn't resist.... he will kill me!!

Jubilee Weekend

As most of you will know Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating 60 years on the English throne. 

Congratulations your majesty.

There are so many events taking place on this 4 day holiday, events that would be perfect in the sun, but alas this being England the weather has let us down again.  Yesterday was dull but dry, so any street parties would have gone ahead.  Today however it has not stopped raining, in fact it started around 9pm last night and is still going on.  The temperature is 6C - last Sunday it was 26C, so as you can see quite a difference.  We ended up watching the the River Pageant on the television, I felt so sorry for everyone, they were all so wet, but nothing seems to dull the spirits.  As someone said, "the British just make the most of the day regardless of the weather".  I guess we are just used to rain and make plans accordingly.

Tomorrow we are looking after Rufus, and it is planned to take him to the Big Lunch on Stamford meadows and to the Gardens of Surprises at Burghley.  The forecast is for it to be dry, but I think wellies will be the footwear of choice.

Tuesday we are supposed to be attending a Jubilee picnic at Over with Rachel, Stuart and his parents.  The forecast is for RAIN lots of it................ I'll let you know how it goes!!