More of what I've learned....
Missouri is definitely a beautiful state. The stretch today was mostly through the Ozarks, and I would love to see them in the fall. Bet they're gorgeous.
There are an awful lot of billboards and road signs in Missouri quoting Bible passages and religious crap. (Yes, I said crap.... cuz it's mostly not the message of MY religion.) They are sure bound and determined to save the souls of all us travelers. My favorite though was the huge billboard against porn right across the road from a couple of strip joints. Bet that one's popular! (OK... so that one doesn't go into the category of crap....)
It takes all of a half hour to drive Route 66 through Kansas - and that's with 2 stops for photos and postcard shopping. It's 13.2 miles... but very well marked. They even have the 66 logo painted on much of the pavement. Guess you can do that when you only have 13.2 miles to maintain.
Route 66 is very different from state to state. Illinois was all about kitsch and tourists. Missouri was more cultural and educational for much of it, but a lot about scenery for the rest. From Rolla to the state line, there wasn't a whole lot of touristy stuff (although I did manage a stop at the Redmon Candy Factory....) For the most part in Missouri, it's about watching for signs of days gone by - lots of abandoned gas stations and houses. Oklahoma so far is just about getting somewhere. There has also been a fair share of abandoned gas stations and motels (was really wishing my camera was working for one of them.... 3 old cabins and the sign out front.)
And on the note of the candy factory...I've learned how to eat very warm and sticky taffy without getting my hands sticky. (Even w/the a/c going full blast in my car, everything inside got very warm in the 90 degree temps today.)
I've also learned they really do like "Okie from Muskogee" here in OK. Figured I should be listening to some country music to get a feel for the state, and what was playing when I found a station? Yep.... those Okies like their theme song.
But here's my best lesson from today... even if you have no idea whether you're on the right road or not, as long as you're going in the right direction you'll eventually find yourself back on it. (Hmmm.... I bet there's a sermon in there somewhere.) I'm sure there are a few times today I strayed from Route 66, but was still driving scenic areas of Missouri. And eventually found my way back to the Mother Road, as I always seem to do.
There are an awful lot of billboards and road signs in Missouri quoting Bible passages and religious crap. (Yes, I said crap.... cuz it's mostly not the message of MY religion.) They are sure bound and determined to save the souls of all us travelers. My favorite though was the huge billboard against porn right across the road from a couple of strip joints. Bet that one's popular! (OK... so that one doesn't go into the category of crap....)
It takes all of a half hour to drive Route 66 through Kansas - and that's with 2 stops for photos and postcard shopping. It's 13.2 miles... but very well marked. They even have the 66 logo painted on much of the pavement. Guess you can do that when you only have 13.2 miles to maintain.
Route 66 is very different from state to state. Illinois was all about kitsch and tourists. Missouri was more cultural and educational for much of it, but a lot about scenery for the rest. From Rolla to the state line, there wasn't a whole lot of touristy stuff (although I did manage a stop at the Redmon Candy Factory....) For the most part in Missouri, it's about watching for signs of days gone by - lots of abandoned gas stations and houses. Oklahoma so far is just about getting somewhere. There has also been a fair share of abandoned gas stations and motels (was really wishing my camera was working for one of them.... 3 old cabins and the sign out front.)
And on the note of the candy factory...I've learned how to eat very warm and sticky taffy without getting my hands sticky. (Even w/the a/c going full blast in my car, everything inside got very warm in the 90 degree temps today.)
I've also learned they really do like "Okie from Muskogee" here in OK. Figured I should be listening to some country music to get a feel for the state, and what was playing when I found a station? Yep.... those Okies like their theme song.
But here's my best lesson from today... even if you have no idea whether you're on the right road or not, as long as you're going in the right direction you'll eventually find yourself back on it. (Hmmm.... I bet there's a sermon in there somewhere.) I'm sure there are a few times today I strayed from Route 66, but was still driving scenic areas of Missouri. And eventually found my way back to the Mother Road, as I always seem to do.
posted by Kris at 6/17/2009 09:22:00 PM
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