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We are now in St Louis staying at a Best Western Hotel at $65 per night including breakfast. This morning had breakfast in a diner/ bakehouse in Litchfield that charged $6.79 for the full eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast coffee. I bought a cup of coffee earlier at a Hardees and it was 53 cents. This country really is inexpensive.
The temperature has yet to get above freezing and today it is minus 11 in St Louis but we have left the snow behind. It is forecast to snow here on Friday by which time we should be around Oklahoma City.
We left Bloomington and travelled via Funks' Grove where the funk family have been making Maple "Sirup" for over 100 years. Unfortunately they had sold out.
On to Atlanta Illinois where ther is a Race Street. Don't know why, probably some disreputable relative. We had coffe at The Palms Café, a real 1950's diner and mer Dawn who was up for a chat. She had moved from Arizona to Illinois
Lincoln, our next stop was named after Abe but before he became president. Hre we have THE WORLD'S LARGEST #3 The world's largest covered wagon with a statue of Abe driving. Unfortunately it blew over in a recent storm and the cover has gone so I guess it is the largest uncovered wagon.
On to Springfield, the capital of Illinois where we visited Abe Lincoln's home. (He wasn't home) This was interesting , beautifully restored and with most of the original furnishings. Kyle, our guide from the US Parks service did drone on a bit but we certainly learnt a lot.
In Springfield we have THE WORLD'S LARGEST #4. The world's largest statue pf old Abe at the entrance to the showgrounds
As it was getting late we stayed at the only motel in Carlinville, could have been The Bates Motel but only $46 for the night. We met Jim who owned the bar ant two other restaurants in town and explored the town square which was really pretty. This town boasts the Million Dollar White Elephant Courthouse, costing more than 10 times the original estimate and taking 2 years to build and 40 years to pay for it. We got out of town early and went to Litchfield for breakfast.
Unfortunately the Ariston café was closed for brekky. This as a famous café on the road. Went to the route 66 museum across the road and met another couple of characters.
On to Staunton and a visit to Henry's Rabbit Ranch, named because he has buried a dozen VW Rabbits nose down in a row out front. He also has several semi trailers from a defunct trucking business featuring "Snortin' Nortin" and the motto "Humpin' to Please" Had a good chat to Henry and bought some road souveniers.
Through Mt Olive and on to Mitchell we saw the Chain of Rocks Bridge built in 1930 and over a mile long it crosses the Mississippi River but today only takes foot traffic. Really Impressive
A detour to Collinsville to see THE WORLD"S LARGEST #5 The world's largest Catsup bottle, standing 70 feet tall and built originally as a water tower
Today we explore St Louis.
- comments
Gordon Say hi to my old employer, Monsanto. R u going up the arch?.
John McIntosh All sounding great so far. Did you read (sadly) that the world's largest Mango at Bowen Qld was stolen the other night. You two are not suspects! Stay safe and enjoy!
Lucy Dying with laughter that the maple sirup had sold out, the largest wagon had blown over and the famous cafe was closed. Sorry for being an a**hole but that is really funny. Love you x
Sharon Hahahahaha!!!!!!! What Lucy said!!!!!!