Route 66 to Alaska: What a Hoot!

Today was a perfect day. We awoke in Staunton, Illinois to sunshine and 60 degrees. Quite a refreshing change from all we had been through thus far. Though I loved all we saw and all the people we met until today, the weather was so much more conducive today to a great bike ride! We started the day visiting with a young couple on a Harley. They flew to America from the Canary Islands in Spain and are here to ride the greatest road in the world! They are not able to take it at the pace we are doing so they are far ahead of us now. I appreciate the pace in which we are able to take this trip.

Our first stop for the day was at Henry's Rabbit Ranch. What a Hoot!!! We met Rich Henry and his longtime friends Scott, Kelly and Beth Leiker, and Cassie Ashby from Northern Illinois. Congratulations to your son/fiance for graduating from the Air Force Academy. We are most appreciative of all of our armed servicemen and women who protect us in order to let us do the things we love to do like travel the US meeting great people!

Rich Henry has been hanging out at the Rabbit Ranch for sometime. This place is an eclectic mix of exotic, strange, souvenirs, rescue rabbits, great conversation and great photo ops! This place is the reason I wanted to do this trip. To visit with great people and experience a slower life. Rich is full of incredibly interesting stories and detours to get around flooded roads in Missouri. Thanks Rich for a very refreshing time and escape this morning. Your directions were perfect and the stop at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard did not disappoint! Pictured with us and Ted is Hubert. Great rabbit and great stop. Do not pass this place if you are in the area!

We then drove to the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Illinois/Missouri. We walked the bridge into Missouri. What a great bridge that used to be part of Route 66. It has a bend in the Mississippi River of 22% which would have made maneuvering this bridge rather difficult. Great to get to walk it, however.

After the bridge was a trip into Missouri to the Gateway to the West, The St. Louis Arch. I have seen this before but not up close as we did today. What a sight! This thing is taller than you can imagine.

The Gateway to the West is the Tallest National Monument in the US at 630'

Missouri has had a significant rainfall over the last 4 days. This has left roads flooded. Part of Route 66 was used to receive I-44 traffic due to flooding on I-44. It kind of irritates me that Interstate drivers are allowed to use my road. It indeed does sadden me that so many people have been adversely effected by nasty weather. We had to divert our route due to flooding Thanks to Pat and her granddaughter Abby for the go around to this flooding on Route 66.

I do have to say how much I appreciate the humor of the folks in St. Clair, Missouri with their hot and cold water towers!

Many, however, may appreciate this tower at the neighboring community more.

We have pulled over for the night in Cuba. That's right, we didn't know Route 66 went through Cuba but we have come to expect the unexpected from Route 66. We have stopped at the oldest Motel on Route 66 in Cuba. We are here at the Wagon Wheel Motel run by beautiful Connie. She is full of stories and offers a great price for very comfortable rooms. Even if you are not in need of a rest, you should plan on staying here!