Cats 110

If you saw a license plate like that, what do you think it would mean?  Does it mean the lady driving the car has 110 cats?  Or is she the 110th person to have that license plate?  While driving through Illinois, just before Missouri, we came across a woman who looks exactly like what you'd think a cat lady should be... mini van and all, with the license plate "Cats 110" and it stirred up a large conversation filled with questions.  We wanted to see what you thought.



Sign on Michigan and Jackson

 We made it through Illinois today and it was a very big push.  We took our picture at the start of the route in front of a building on Michigan and Jackson in Chicago.  It cost us $1.25 for parking a total of 5 minutes to take a picture.  The price aside, I miss the city and it was sad to see it disappear in my rear view mirror.  For Sam, a chance at driving through downtown Chicago was a cool opportunity to see a landscape she isn't familiar with.  And the view of the John Hancock building via Lake Shore Drive was pretty darn spectacular.

In Joliet we met our first fellow Route 66ers outside of a restored gas station, and exchanged cameras to help each other with some picture taking.  Joliet is really into their 66 history and it was exciting to drive through.  We even stopped to take a picture of the statues of Jake and Elwood Blues dancing on the Rich and Creamy.  I also found out that you can take a picture with Jake and Elwood at the gates of the prison... but, we decided to move on, and I will need to save that for a future visit home.

Jake and Elwood Blues in Joliet

Our first Gemini Giant was in Wilmington (a muffler man in a space suit carrying a rocket) and we paused to take a picture (We may post this later, as it's on Sam's camera not mine.)

I think our favorite stop today was in Pontiac, IL where they, too, are super into their 66 history.  A couple museums, and a city tour of murals later (they have 22), we left the town for lunch, but not before meeting the mayor of Pontiac... because we are that awesome.

Mural in Pontiac, Il

The rest of the day was spent chasing lunch... which became dinner.  All of the cool restaurants we wanted to check out on the route were either closed for Sunday or sadly closed permanently.  However, our adventures took us to pieces of the old road that are still accessible to drivers.  It is a different kind of experience to drive on these roads.  The concrete seams are still intact and the road is narrow now due to wear.  It was easy to imagine the thousands of travellers who visited these paths in times past.  In a sense, even the flat, redundant farming landscape of Illinois came to life, and offered a pick me up at a time we were our most exhausted.

Overall, it was a long day, but rewarding.  And we can't wait for tomorrow. 

BK

Favorite Songs of the Day:

Life is Highway - Rascal Flatts (Thanks Mandy)
Star Wars - John Williams (Thanks Beth)
Blues Brothers soundtrack selections (Thanks Beth)
Varying songs from Chris's CD (we don't have a track list to let you know which ones)
The Doctor's Wife - Dr. Who soundtrack (Thanks JD)