I have always wanted to travel on Route 66 as long as I knew what it was and what it stood for. I can’t begin to express to you how much this meant to me and how overcome with emotions I was to be able to check a major item off my ‘Bucket List’. I’ll admit that when I pulled onto the historic Route 66 and began driving, I just started crying. I couldn’t believe I was finally here. I only got to drive on part of it for this trip, but it was still such a joy.
Found this great plaque telling about Route 66. Maybe part of this is why Route 66 resonates with me, especially with this trip. This year has been great for me. I’m learning who I am as a woman and as an artist and teacher and getting a glimpse of who I can be!
My travels on Route 66 started in Pontiac, Illinois at the Route 66 Museum. They have a lot of Route 66 murals in the downtown area. This one pictured above was on the back of the museum. Many people will stand here or drive a vintage car for a photo op. I asked if I could bring Glinda around for a photo shoot. They said I sure could if I thought I could get her in there. They even offered to help me get out if needed, but fortunately, Glinda is small enough, I was able to maneuver this all by myself!
Here are a few more sites from downtown and the museum.
Actually driving on Route 66 is kind of sad. So much of the road is gone or you can see where part of it has been allowed to grow over. I tried to travel from Pontiac, Illinois all the way into St. Louis, but so many times, I was routed back onto the main I55 Freeway because Historic 66 was closed. Did you watch the Pixar movie, Cars? Yep, much like they describe.
You can see where the Southbound lane is closed off and overgrown
The roads are not great roads and big tractors are along the way sharing the road.
To even begin to understand how much I still enjoyed this part of my trip, you have to know that I’m that girl that wants to stop at all the corny exhibits and I want to see ‘The Largest Ball of Twine’ just to say I have. If you watched A Goofy Movie, you know what I mean. I would have a great time with Goofy.