AUGUST 25, 2010 - DAY 21 - MILWAUKEE, WI TO SPRINGFIELD, IL
We had really liked this hotel and waking up to the sun shining in just reaffirmed that thought. However, I do have one complaint. The Starbucks attached does not carry the breakfast sandwiches, only the sweets. But at least there's the coffee!
While we were at the game last night we chatted with the others sitting around us, all of whom were locals. Everybody urged us not to leave early for Chicago. They said we should not leave any earlier than 9:00 a.m., at the earliest. We were tired so we finally headed out by ten.
As we were riding out of the parking garage we noticed a sign on the ground floor that read "Motorcycle Wash Station". We had to stop and check it out. Not only was there a hose and rags, but there was a large bin. When we opened it we found it was filled with H-D cleaning products and more towels. If only we had more time because I can assure you that our bikes are in desperate need of cleaning.
Before leaving town we head back to the museum, which is just a couple blocks away. When we were there yesterday we had wanted to located a rivet on their wall that is dedicated to a friend but we didn't know the location. Now we did, so we found Fred's rivet, Angel put a silk flower around it, and we paid our respects.
When planning this trip we had envisioned this day, the start of Route 66, to be filled with excitement. Instead we are a bit sad because it represents the beginning of the end. At the end of this portion we will be back in California and only a day trip from home and the end of vacation. But we aren't tired of being on the road or on the bikes. We feel like we could go another three weeks easy.
Today is also my oldest's 24th birthday. Hard to believe she is that grown up, especially when the age of 24 is still fresh in my mind and seems like yesterday. I was happy to get to chat with her briefly and hear how things are going for her in lovely Yuma, AZ.
Since we had been in downtown Chicago just yesterday, and right there at Adams Street, Jackson and Lakeshore Boulevards, we decided for the sake of time to pick up the road at the highway. We got excited when we saw our first sign to exit the freeway and get onto the side road marked as Historic Route 66.
Our first stop was in Joliet at their Historical Museum. We were so far impressed with the ability to follow signs marking the Route. The woman at the counter said that she has been told Illinois has some of the best signage along the entire road.
We are enjoying following the old road and find most of the old places easy to spot because they are closed and run down, but there are some that have been fixed up and maintained. One such place was The Polka Dot Drive-In where we had lunch. They had statues outside of Elvis, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Betty Boop. But even more fun was the women's restroom which was covered with pictures of Elvis.
There are also old gas stations along the way that have been fixed up and others that are just remnants of what they once were. As the sun is beginning to set we pull into Springfield, IL and to the tomb of President Lincoln. It is what you would expect for a man who did so much for our country, but so much more than you would expect for a man who considered himself a simple man. It is special for me to be here because if you go back far enough on my mother's side we are related to President Lincoln. In 1976, I visited the one room log cabin in Kentucky where he was born. And in 2008, Travis and I visited Ford's Theater and the home across the street where he died.
Once we found our hotel on the other side of town we walked across the parking lot for dinner. We found ourselves getting punchy and making our waitress laugh. We were so glad to eat dinner but couldn't wait to get back to the hotel and sleep.
Today's stats: 323 miles and 10 hours
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