Starting at the Iron Horse Hotel...
We woke c. 4am, and got up 1/2 hr later. Jet lag is having it;s effect on us.
Had breakfast at the hotel - "Wisconsin Classic" - they were very slow to serve but we were ready to load our bags onto the truck at 8 am.
Left: Ridersearly morning briefing.
Right: Demo gets a drink
The ride down to Chicago was mainly Interstate, and we had stop for Gas. Thankfully 'Pay-at-the-pump' worked fine. Gary told us to try and squeeze as much gas in the tank as possible, as we want to go as long as possible between fuel stops and don't want the hassle of anyone running out (although there is a jerry can of gas on the truck, just in case).We by-pass down town Chicago and picked up the old Route 66 a little before Joliet, which we passslowlt through and then continue down the old road.
After our lunch stop, we rode a while and then stopped at the town of O'Dell, at an old restored gas station, which was quite interesting. (see right)
Inside the garage it's full of, er, old garage stuff (also interesting)
Another fuel stop is next up, at Towanda, and a pause to wait for a rain storm up ahead to pass by.
This was the site of the Pure Oil truck stop (1952-1972) and there's a 'pedestrian' section of the old road that we look at while we're waiting. (see left)
Meanwhile we 'rain-geared up', and moved out. The roads were now wet but with dry lines appearing so we didn't get wet at all.
We had a stop in a little town called Atlanta, where there's some route 66 icons, and visited an unusual shop (Gunmar's Trading Post), where I pick up a 1969 car Texas license plate , registration 'TS' - that opportunity wouldn't come again.
***
Onwards, on the old road, and it was VERY bumpy, but we got through that and ended the journey into Springfield, IL on the interstate, arriving at the Hoilday Inn Express at 7.02 PM. Gary the guide had all the room keys for us, so no need for us to check in - just unload our bags from the van and head for our rooms.
We settle in, freshen up and then met up at 8.15 to walk to a local BBQ restaurant for dinner. I have a "Pulled Pork Sammy", and Mrs. K has "Loaded Fries". We're finding that a lot of the stuff on the menus over here we don't know what it is, just another part of the adventure, eh?
After dinner and back at the Hotel, Gary and Mark (the backup vehicle driver) were going off to Wallmart (Big Supermarket) to pick up supplies. We followed the truck accross town as there was a couple of things that we needed to get.
On return we ended a long and tiring day.
jump to: Day 4 Day 2b
ZZzzzzzzzzzz
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