Get your kicks on Route 66

 In April 2022 we travelled to Oklahoma City, South Padre Island TX, and San Antonio TX. Since we had no time restraints, we decided to travel along Route 66 from Bloomington IL to Oklahoma City. The weather on the entire trip there was windy, cool, and drizzly. Not the best weather to be stopping at all the attractions along Route 66 but we pressed on.

After leaving Bloomington, we stopped in Atlanta and Lincoln IL. Both places had lots of memorabilia about Route 66. If you are driving the route, be sure and give yourself enough time to take in all the sites. There are so many photo ops along the way. There is always a bigger highway which will run alongside the original Route 66 and at times they share the same road, so if we wanted to make a bit better time we just hopped on the big road for a while. 

We stopped in Springfield IL to visit Lincoln's tomb. It's not exactly on Route 66 but so worth the stop if you haven't been there before. We drove a bit farther down 66 to Litchfield IL where we stayed in a Quality Inn.We found some Route 66 items in Litchfield before we left. Then we stopped in Mt. Olive We saw many cool things along this part of Route 66 which eventually took us to St. Louis.

Sometimes you can choose which route to take!

We stopped at the Arch in St. Louis the next morning. We hadn't actually planned this stop but we were so close and we hadn't been there for many years so it seemed like a necessary stop. We met a man who told us that we would never be able to get tickets that day since they had to be ordered online months in advance. Well, he could be right with all the covid stuff still going on so we just figured we wouldn't be able to go up in the arch. We saw people at the ticket line so we gave it a try and there was no problem buying the tickets right there and no waiting for the ride up the arch.While waiting in line, we were asked if we minded sharing a pod with two other people. Due to covid restrictions, they had to get our permission, I guess. Of course, we said, "Yes" and we rode up with two very friendly ladies who were in St. Louis on business. They were not afraid of catching anything from us and vice versa. We were given a limited amount of time to look at the views and take photos and then we had to get back in the pod and head down. On our way exiting the ride, we saw the original man who told us we couldn't get up without advanced tickets, he was waiting in a long line to get on the ride. LOL

If you have never been to the Arch, you should put it on your bucket list. The grounds around it are beautiful and very easy to walk. There's a little museum and cafe on the grounds and there are ample bathrooms. We bought our lifetime senior National Parks pass there. Parking was a bit tricky at first but everything is very well marked and not too pricey. If you are claustrophobic, the pods may be a bit daunting, but the ride is fast and much like an elevator. There are steps to manuever to get to the pod, not sure if there was handicap access or not. We did find everyone who was working at the Arch to be very helpful and kind.

After leaving the Arch, we attempted to find the Route 66 State Park, but all we ever saw was the sign. We followed Route 66 on and off through most of Missouri until we got to Rolla where we hopped on the interstate so that we could get to Springfield for the night. We stayed in a Quaility Inn which lacked a bit of Quality but was worth the price of $79.00. We saw so many cool sites on our drive. There were some very "old" motels along this route that I would definitely have stayed in if the timing was right. There are plenty of places to make bathroom stops along the way. I wish we could identify these photos for you, but our memory isn't serving us well. Just know that you can drive along Route 66 and find all of these cool spots plus many, many more. A map would have been helpful, but it was not difficult once we found the route. There is actually a surprise waiting for you everywhere you drive. We did find a nice souvenir shop on the Missouri Route 66 where we purchased a number of items. We buy a fridge magnet, an ornament, and a shot glass every place we visit to add to our collections and this gift shop had it all.

   

After spending the night in Springfield, we left in 40 degree weather, windy and rainy, enroute to Oklahoma City. We had trouble finding Route 66 again at this point but we entered Oklahoma and stopped at the Welcome Center where a very kind lady showed us a map and explained how to get back on Route 66 in Miami, OK We found it with no problem and the map she gave us helped us navigate all the way to Tulsa. There were so many souvenirs at the Welcome Center, too, so we bought the memorabilia we needed. Great bathrooms, too.

                                                                               The Coocoo-Clock Drive-In

We ate at a fantastic BBQ place called Nowhere on Route 66. It was beautifully decorated in vintage, antiques, that and a very friendly staff, and great food made it a win-win in our book. There is so much to see along this stretch that John and I dubbed it, "A driving museum."  Our photos do not do it justice!

In Tulsa, we hopped back on the interstate and made it to our lovely Air BnB in Oklahoma City. Another Air BnB in a perfect location with all the comforts of home.

These were done by a local sculptor made of discarded items. Not for sale, merely a photo op.

The above four sculptures were of poured concrete and freshly repainted. 

This big blue whale is an iconic attraction on Route 66 and if you don't stop anywhere else, be sure and stop here. Wonderful photo op and interesting history.

And here are just a few more attractions along Route 66 on our way to Tulsa. Someday we hope to finish the journey along Route 66 but even if you can only do a portion of it, go for it!

We finally arrived at our lovely Air BnB in Oklahoma City, which was just as advertised yet again, great location and all the comforts of home. Read the next post to come with us on our Adventures in Oklahoma City!