Friday, 20 July. Today was an off day. I slept in, which was good, and then did a little bit of touring with my host, Joan, & her daughter, the awesome costumer, Melissa. We first stopped at Eat-Rite for a snack. Then on to the Arch. While the 2+ hour wait deterred us, the museum there deserves nearly a day in itself. I also learned, I can get the ride free as I’m an Olde Pharte & have a Golden Age Pass to National Parks. The Arch is a NP. – We headed out in search of dessert. Ted Drews was the answer. The “Concrete” was delicious. We got there at the right time and I have a photo proving one can park in their parking lot. – Joan then took us for a short tour of St. Louis including driving by the spot where Coral Courts had been.
Saturday, 21 July. Today I drove a big circular route over a couple of 66 alignments. First down Lindbergh Blvd/Rt. 66. This is for the most part a 4 – lane road. Then thru a small town & 2-lane segment in Kirkwood. I hung a left onto 366 & headed back towards SL. There was not too much of note along here. Of course, what do I know. It was a pleasant drive, & I enjoyed the drive thru the city. The residential areas went from good to bad, very bad, and back to good again. I was driving thru a variety of neighborhoods: Watson Rd, Chippawa [Drews was much busier], Gravois, then north on Tucker & Florissant [stopping is not recommended], Calvary, Broadway & finally Riverview. – When I got to the west end of the Chain of Rocks Bridge I stopped and got out to stretch and walk the bridge. It is a little bit over 2 miles there and back again. I took may time, many photos & chatted with lots of folk also walking the bridge. It was a beautiful day. – Took my hosts out for Chinese.
Sunday, 22 July. Blew off the day. I stayed in and worked on some email, posted a blog & generally goofed off. It felt good. – That evening my hosts & I went to Blueberry Hill for dinner. Yes, their burgers are good! We met up with a good friend of mine and his family. He teaches over at a local college. Good food, good company & great conversation. A very good evening.
Monday, 23 July. Up and out for some various alignments of 66. – I headed east on Rt. 66/100, Manchester Rd. I hadn’t gone very far when I spied WOMBATS, a store for selling used clothing. I had to go in & chat with the owner. I also mentioned the e-group & Rt. 66 Pulse. – On the road again I got a call from Seattle about the Upfield novel I’m trying to republish. Cool! – Onward down Manchester, McClausland, seeing the Amoco sign, getting confused trying to stay on Clayton, thru the Forest Park area towards downtown. – I loved the older style houses I saw along the way. They reminded me of the homes in the area in which I grew up. – I took the interstate to where 66 heads into SL & got back on the road heading for Collinsville. A little bit further on I stopped for a while at the Cahokia Mounds visitor’s center. It was quite interesting. The mounds are very impressive. – Then on to E. SL. As my host noted, it does look like a war zone. I tried to find the east side of the MacArthur Bridge, but couldn’t. Well, I didn’t wish to get out & start hiking around there. – I called it a day & headed back.
Tuesday, 24 July. I headed back to IL and took 203 north all the way to Mitchell. The area is mostly commercial with some older residential homes and the road is mostly 4-lane. – Heading back to take 3 south, I had a spot of very good luck. I stopped in the parking lot of Mr. Twist. This is a soft ice cream shop which has been run by 2 delightful ladies for 32 years. The building dates back to 1942. The shop is on he 1926-1929 alignment. While I was taking photos of what the road looks like Felicia came over to ask what I was doing. I told her, and said, as long as I was here, I had to try their ice cream. She decided to treat me to a milkshake. How good is that. It was delicious & a lung collapser! So very thick. She asked me to wait a few minutes so I could try her orange sherbet. It was worth the wait! – Driving thru Granite City on the old route, then do stop here: Mr. Twist, 2649 Madison Ave. Say hello to Felicia & her mother, Rose, for me. It is worth the trip. – Onward to Venice, another rough city. I found the approaches to the McKinley Bridge & was able to get some photos. – Now off on I – 64 to & 270 to Rt. 100. I’m now heading west on Rt. 66. – Once past SR 340 and on Manchester Rd. I drove along lovely 2-lane roads thru small villages, many more or less unchanged from when 66 was there. – I tried, the Donavan Steakhouse/ig Chief Steakhouse for lunch. The food was good, but service was quite slow & casual. I found the next item on the Scavenger Hunt, the 1923 bridge on a quiet Rt. 66. – I carried on to where 100 joins Old 66 at Gray Summit. – Heading back I couldn’t resist dropping by the Visitors Center at Rt. 66 State Park where Times Beach once stood. – Basta per oggi!
