i got my kicks on Route 66

 

Doug's Mom (forevermore known as Heidi) has a dream of driving the entire length of Route 66.  We made a little part of her dream come true on Mother's Day by taking her all the way down to Odell Illinois and following the path back to Chicago.  Neither Doug or I knew what to expect, but it turned out to be a lovely day of kitschy fun.

 

Why start in Odell?  The Odell Filling Station of course.  Its a registered landmark and it did not disappoint. 

 

What a good son he is.

 

After Odell we made it to Dwight.  Its famous for the Keeley Institute in which Dr Keeley claimed to have a cure for alcoholism - less drinking.  What a genius.  He also erected a windmill.

 

We then headed for the Old Route 66 Family Diner which was packed.  Doug decided to go light and have biscuits and gravy with a side of sausage patties and a side of bacon.

 

And then we found the polka dot diner and had to take pictures with all the stars

 

 

 

And whats a Route 66 trip without a sighting of the Gemini Giant

 

Our halfway point was beautiful Joliet, IL --where they have a Route 66 welcome center.  You may recall that Sir Paul McCartney showed up here with his girlfriend.  I have to say, it wasn't that expansive, but very cute.  Doug's dad was tired of all the scenery by this time and sneaked off to the casino next door to "use the bathroom".

Ahhh yes the blues brothers.  Doug has informed me that we will be having twin boys and we will name them Jake and Elwood.  We will then have another son and name him Addison Clark (the cross streets of Wrigley Field).  You know that means we're going to have all girls.

 

A mural they had at the Route 66 Welcome Center. Notice anything strange?  I liked how they wrote "malts, tacos", mostly because the 1940's and 1950's weren't really prime for tacos in Illinois.  Nice try though.

We also found a dress that is in strong contention for being the Mother of the Groom dress. 

 

Aren't they slutty  lovely?