Route 66 Kicks: Day 2....Joplin to Tucumcari

After knocking out one day of serious driving from Chicago, Illinois to Joplin, Missouri, Day 2 of Route 66 was going to be another doozy!  Passing over the Missouri/Kansas border, the part of the road in Kansas was just under 13 miles, but it had a lot to see.

Phillips 66 Gas Station, Baxter Springs  KS

Adding to my list of old gas stations, the Independent Oil Gas Service Station is a great example of the typical 1930s style home-like gas stations, designed to comfort weary travelers.  You can find the classic station at 940 Military Avenue, and you will also find a Route 66 Visitor's Center there.  

Across the street, make sure to check out the giant vintage Texaco sign.

Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, Riverton KS

This old grocery store has been on Route 66 since the beginning.  It still sells groceries, so it's a great place to stock up on snacks.  Conveniently, part of the store has shifted into a place to get Route 66 souvenirs.

Rainbow or Marsh Arch Bridge, Riverton KS

The Rainbow Curve bridge was constructed in 1923 over Brush Creek.  It is the only remaining Marsh "rainbow" arch style bridge on Route 66, made of reinforced concrete and designed by James Barney Marsh.

Service Station, Commerce OK

And here we have another service station, well it was a Marathon Oil service station at one point in its life.  Now the structure on 100 Main Street is a Dairy King snack shop.

Allen's Fillin' Station, Commerce OK

Make a 180 degree turn from where you are standing at the Dairy King, and you will see Allen's Fillin' Station, a vintage 1930 "cottage style" gas station that looks like it is built into the building wall.  Along with Gary's Gay Parita gas station outside of Springfield, Missouri, this was one of my top places to photograph along Route 66.  The colors are magnificent, and if you pump up the contrast, it is a really compelling shot.

Mickey Mantle's Childhood Home, Commerce OK

While in Commerce, Oklahoma you would be remiss if you were to not visit the childhood home of its most famous resident, baseball great Mickey Mantle.  The house is located at 319 S. Quincy Street. 

Ku-Ku Burger, Miami OK

Waylan's Ku-Ku Burger is a Route 66 classic eatery, distinguishing itself with its large yellow cuckoo bird on the building.  This is actually the last remaining Ku-Ku restaurant out of a chain, started in the 1960s, that once numbered 200.  You can find this bright red building at 915 Main Street.

Blue Whale, Catoosa OK

When I saw this giant blue whale off the side of the road, I was reminded of my own childhood: going to the local swim park on the lake, swimming and hanging out with friends.  The whale play structure was built in the early 1970s and has slides and ladders to enhance the pond's swimming experience. Back in its heyday, the whale was part of a larger park entertainment facility, the Fun and Swim Blue Whale and Animal Reptile Kingdom.  The official address for the pond is 2680 Oklahoma 66.

Round Barn, Arcadia OK

Built in 1898, after an extensive process of curving all of the pieces of wood, this round barn is one of the most interesting structures along Route 66.  Enter in 107 Oklahoma 66 into your GPS, and you should be able to easily find this famous barn.

Pony Bridge, Exit 101 off I-44

This bridge got its name from the 38 pony, or small, trusses that were used to create its long, approximate 3/4 mile span over South Canadian River.  This bridge, built in 1933, is one you should not miss - for the architecture and for the sheer history of this piece of 66.  If I recall, it was a bit of a challenge to find the bridge, but it's near Hinton, OK.

Lucille's Roadhouse, Weatherford OK

This structure was once a service station along Route 66, known mostly for it's most popular owner, Lucille Hamons, who ran the station for 60 years.  Lucille became a Route 66 icon and was nicknamed the "Mother of the Mother Road."  The building is notably one of only two Route 66 service stations with the second story over the station porch area.  In the town of Weatherford, there is a newer Lucille's Roadhouse that is a restaurant.  Don't get confused.  The original service station is east of the town on a frontage road for I-40.

Glancy Motel, Clinton OK

The decision to stop at The Glancy Motel, 217 W. Gary Blvd., was made because of the great neon sign in front of this 1950s Route 66 icon.

Western Motel, Sayre OK

Adding to the neon sign photo collection is the one in front of the Western Motel.  I couldn't find much of the history of the motel, unfortunately. It is located at 315 NE Hwy 66.

 

Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe, Shamrock TX

This deco style service station and cafe may be recognizable to some, not in its form in the photos below, but as how it was depicted in the popular Disney animated movie "Cars."  This station is located just off I-40 at 101 East 12th St.

Devil's Rope Museum, McLean TX

Not really a Route 66 historical site, but who can pass up two giant balls of barbed wire?  If you want to see this in person, head to 100 Kingsley St.

Phillips 66 Gas Station, McLean TX

Just down the street from the Devil's Rope museum, at 219 Gray St., is a restored 1928 service station. I read that this was the first Phillips Petroleum station to operate in Texas.  The station was designed in the "cottage style" popular at the time.

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo TX

There is no question that you must stop to see 10 old cadillacs buried nose down in the Texas dirt of a cow pasture just off I-40 at exit 62A.  This location isn't the original burial spot from the 1970s, having been moved for greater convenience in the 1990s.  Getting to the cars requires a short walk in the dirt from the parking area.  Most people like to come equipped with spray paint, as this art installation encourages tasteful additions to the design, therefore, always presenting you with a new visual experience every time you visit.

 Midpoint of Route 66, Adrian TX

Just a fun sign to mark the road trip...follow exit 23 off of I-40.

Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari NM

The final stop on this day was Tucumcari, New Mexico - known for its strip of neon motel signs that light up the town.  This is a great opportunity to get a feel of what the traveler experienced during the peak time of Route 66 travel.  It is my understanding that Tucumcari gained its popularity from a successful advertising campaign that gave it a reputation as the place to stay for the weary traveler. One of those places to stay is still in operation today: the Blue Swallow Motel, built in 1939 and renovated to maintain the ambiance of the original hotel.

Other Legs of the Route 66 Adventure:

• Chicago to Joplin
• Tucumcari to Flagstaff
• Flagstaff to Santa Monica 

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Route 66 Kicks: Day 1....Chicago to Joplin

If you enjoy road trips, then I know Route 66 is on your bucket list.  As summertime reminds me of some of my favorite road trips, I decided I wanted to reminisce about the time I checked my own Route 66 box.  What better time to talk about the "Mother Road" and making a journey across the U.S. than over the July 4th weekend, when everyone is celebrating America. 

I have so many photos from that trip, I am going to break it up by the four legs of the drive over the next four days:  Chicago to Joplin, Joplin to Tucumcari, Tucumcari to Flagstaff, and Flagstaff to Santa Monica.  I hope you enjoy sharing the journey with me!

Route 66 Start Sign

As you drive south on Michigan Avenue, when you reach the Art Institute of Chicago, hang a left on E. Adams Street.  On the left side of the road, in front of the Panda Express, blink and you might miss the starting point of Route 66.   This isn't the original starting point.  In fact, it's not even the official start of Route 66 at all! The actual start is E. Jackson Drive and Lake Shore Drive; however, since you need to head west and Jackson is a one-way eastbound street, perhaps that is why the misleading sign is now on Adams.

Lou Mitchell's

Speaking of Jackson, 565 W. Jackson Blvd. specifically, Lou Mitchell's restaurant has been feeding hungry Route 66 travelers since the beginning, in 1926.  Not surprisingly, the diner is nicknamed the "first stop on the Mother Road."

Gemini Giant, Wilmington IL

Located at the former Launching Pad Drive-In at 810 E. Baltimore Street, this is one of several "giants" on Route 66 and is also known as one of the famous "muffler men."  The giant was created from a standard mould for decorative advertising sculptures.  Each giant can be personalized for the business or at the whim of the buyer.  You can see how the arms are in an "L" shape to make it more conducive to holding objects, and the hands are turned in opposite directions to allow for a flag or stick to be inserted.  This Gemini Giant is one of three muffler men on Route 66, all in Illinois.  I have have photos of two out of the three.  There's another one in Flagstaff, but it's not the same design.  They're kind of scary looking, if you ask me!

1932 Standard Oil Gas Station, Odell IL

This is the first vintage gas station on my Day 1 schedule, and what a great one!  Located at 400 S. West Street in Odell, this 1932 Standard Oil gas station has the old signage and restored gas pumps.  

Bunyon Statue, Atlanta IL

"Tall Paul" was not original to Route 66, having been moved from Bunyon's Hot Dog in Cicero near Chicago when it closed in 2003.  So, while he looks like Paul Bunyan the lumberjack, the actual name of this muffler man is not a misspelling.

Shea's Gas Station Museum, Springfield IL

Located at 2075 N. Peoria Rd., Shea's gas station's owner is a curator of Route 66 gas station memorabilia.

Nearby on the Illinois State Fairgrounds is another giant worth mentioning, though it is not a muffler man nor original to Route 66.  Still, any giant is a worthwhile giant, and since Illinois is the "land of Lincoln," this giant is one of Lincoln as a young man.

Cozy Dog Drive-In, Springfield IL

I love corn dogs!  Alas, even though a cozy dog is essentially a modern day corn dog, don't head to the Cozy Dog Drive-In, at 2935 S. 6th Street, expecting them to respond to an order for a corn dog.  This restaurant was established in 1946, and has been serving Route 66's fried cornbread wrapped hot dogs since the beginning.  

Nearby, head to the Lauterbach Tire at 1569 Wabash Avenue to see the third muffler man giant in Illinois.  I read that his head was blown off by a tornado, but fortunately it was reattached.  That would be awkward if it had not been fixed! 

Soulsby Service Station, Mount Olive IL

Here is another fantastically restored gas station in Illinois.  Make sure that this one gets on your list of stops if you are traveling the Mother Road in the future!  It's at 102 S. Route 66.

Chain of Rocks Bridge, St. Louis MO

There is so much to do in St. Louis, but with limited time, I opted to skip the most famous attraction, the St. Louis Arch, and headed to the Chain of Rocks Bridge.  This photo was taken from the east entrance to the, now pedestrian only, bridge.  I've read that there are theft problems in the bridge parking lots, but that may be more on the west entrance.  I would say to take precautions, regardless.  While I like this photo, it is missing the bridge's unique feature: partway through, the bridge actually is built with a dogleg kink in it.

Wagon Wheel Motel, Cuba MO

Route 66 is all about restaurants, gas stations, giants, and vintage motels.  At 901 E. Washington Blvd., the Wagon Wheel Motel was established in 1934.  It is a great example of the motor inns that were a staple on the iconic cross country route.  It also is the first of many neon signs I encountered on this road trip.

Munger Moss Motel, Lebanon MO

Speaking of neon signs and motels, the one at Munger Moss at 1336 Hwy 66, makes me want to seek out a jukebox and play some of my favorite hits from the 1950s!

Gary's Gay Parita Gas Station, Ash Grove MO

The last stop on Day 1 of the Route 66 trip was my favorite stop over the entire four day journey. It's a little hard to get to, but if you take exit 57 off of I-44 to State Road 266, exit and take a left at the T intersection.  It's just down the road on the right.  I had read about this gas station before departing on my trip. Some of the photos I had seen were fantastic because of the neon accent lighting and the perfectly set up "gas station scene."  The owner, Gary Turner, is the nicest person.  I talked to him extensively for hours, as I was the only visitor at the time and as a huge thunderstorm was passing through making it dangerous to drive.  We talked about his life in Missouri, his participation in the restoration of Route 66, and all of the visitors he has encountered over the many years of owning the gas station.  He scolded me about how quickly I was driving through the sites, making me feel guilty enough to think I may have to do a repeat drive sometime in the future, so I can not only see the sites but meet the people.  

The photos I took of Gary's Gay Parita are some of my absolute favorites!  I have some of them framed in my house.  I love the colors, I love the compositions, I love the thunderstorm clouds in the background that remind me specifically of that day.

Once the storm passed, it ended up being too dark to take a good photo of the 66 Drive-In Theater in Carthage, Missouri, the last item on my Day 1 list.  This Drive-In, established in 1949, is a classic restored original Route 66 stop.  After a long day, it was time to find a bed to sleep on in Joplin to get a good night's sleep before making the drive through four states to New Mexico (yes, Kansas counts even if it's only a sliver of the southeast corner.

Other Legs of the Route 66 Adventure:

• Joplin to Tucumcari
• Tucumcari to Flagstaff
• Flagstaff to Santa Monica 

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Summer Drinks: Star Spangled Sangria

I feel it is my patriotic duty to drink this cocktail on the 4th of July.  Ok, maybe it's not my duty, but it's certainly something you will catch me doing!  The festiveness of this drink is hard to pass up. Thanks to MyBakingAddition for the idea!

Star Spangled Sangria

1 bottle crisp white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio

1/2 cup elderflower liqueur, like St-Germain

1/2 cup orange flavored liqueur, like triple sec or Contreau

Juice of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lime

Juice of 2 oranges

Soda water, to top off drinks

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup sliced strawberries

2 starfruit, sliced OR....

Since there was an apparent shortage of starfruit this holiday weekend in the Washington D.C. metro region, I used...

3 apples, sliced about 1/8" thick then cut into star shapes using a small star cookie cutter (dip in orange juice to prevent browning)

1. In a large pitcher, mix together the wine, liqueurs, and juices.

2. Add sliced fruit.

3. Pour into glasses with ice, and top off with soda water.

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Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

A quick search on the internet, especially Pinterest, and you're sure to find various cupcakes baked in ice cream cones.  I wanted to try this out, and with the 4th of July holiday I made my ice cream cone cupcakes in a patriotic theme.  The most helpful hints I found were from Sweetopia, specifically the use of an upside-down aluminum pan with holes cut out for the cones to sit in while baking.  Not only did this keep the cones upright, but it was also useful for frosting.  One note, give yourself a little more than the suggested centimeter from the top of the cone - my first batch had too much batter and dripped over the cone lip.

Also, no need to make a cake batter from scratch.  I used a box cake mix and started testing the doneness with a toothpick around the early part of the suggested baking time range, but ended up keeping them in towards the back end of the range.  Continuing with the keeping it simple theme, the frosting is simply from a can!  Hey, it's a holiday, I'd rather be socializing than baking today!  Which reminds me of one other point, I can already tell that these cupcakes must be made on the day of the event because the cone will start to be impacted from the cake moistness.

Happy Birthday America!

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