A few short blocks west of the start of the trip is historic Lou Mitchell's where they have been greeting customers since 1923. This restaurant pre-dated Route 66 by 3 years. We were greeted, as have been all customers since 1923, by a fresh made, powdered sugar coated, donut hole. Donna was our friendly faced greeter/hostess.
After Lou Mitchell's, they give you a small package of Milk Duds, again, they have been doing this since its inception.
We rode down to Joliet where we stopped for a photo op at the Rich and Creamy Dairy where Jake and Elwood Blues of the Blues Brothers are dancing on the roof.
Across the street is another nostalgic photo:
The Old Joliet Prison was the location where part of the original Blues Brothers movie was filmed, but more importantly, is an incredibly interesting architecturally pleasing set of buildings that date back to 1896.
And of course, you can never have too many photos of giants advertising various things...
Pretty cool looking old renovated gas station in Dwight Ill. We stopped in Dwight to warm up to a great hot cup of coffee and a cup of soup. This station was kitty corner from the Old Route 66 Cafe where we stopped.
Shortly thereafter, we stopped in Odell at a restored Standard Oil Station where we had a nice visit with Edith.
Great looking bike don't you think? The thing about motorcycle riders, all bikers think their bike looks the best. Not all can be right...only one is and that is me!
We then made our way to Funk's Grove where they have making maple sirip since 1924. They say that sirip is the correct spelling as sirip is the spelling when you boil the sap from maple trees and syrup is the spelling when you add sugar and juices.
We had the privilege of visiting with Glaida Funk who has lived here since 1953 which is one year prior to my wonderful birth. The world has never been the same, for the better! Glaida asked that we contact her after our trip... we gave her a business card where she will follow us instead. Hi Glaida!
And then there is the giant guy holding a great big hot dog, almost as big as a Lucky Dog in New Orleans, (which is the only food allowed by Louisiana State Supreme Court since 1956 to be sold from a vendor cart in the French Quarter; look it up on Google!) You can see how big the hot dog and giant are according to the building next door.
Then there is the beautiful architecturally pleasing County Building in downtown Lincoln, Ill. We met 3 kids about 5th grade while we were taking a picture of this beautiful Courthouse. They asked us what we were doing in town and reached the conclusion that we were explorers. Rita asked if they wanted to follow us and one on a skateboard said, "No". I let him know that we didn't mean that he should follow us on his skateboard but on our blog, and he said "Oh, I didn't know!" Gotta love kids!
To summarize the day; cold temperatures, steady rain and overcast skies could not dampen our elation, enthusiasm and our energy. This is a trip of a lifetime and day one did not disappoint. We are well aware of the draw of what has been called the most famous road, perhaps in all the world. At two separate stops along the road, we met different travelers from England. They flew to America to rent a car and travel the main street in America. Yes, the road is that famous. One of the couples described an encounter moments before with a local policeman. They were stopped on the side of the road reviewing their map. The officer pulled up behind them and they instantly were afraid. They say in England when an officer stops behind you, you know that you are in trouble. Here, the officer just wanted to make sure everything was okay. They were amazed that an officer was merely checking on their well being! Yes, the Thin Blue Line; to protect and to serve! Thank you to all Police everywhere! We are happy to be exploring this wonderful road! Till Tomorrow!
