Just What Kind of Route 66 Nut Are You?-- Part 4

Liz and I would definitely be classified as "Purists." We drive 66 whenever possible, except perhaps through Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, and that one stretch in Chicago that scares us.

We eat at authentic diners and stay in those old motels whenever possible (well, at the ones that are kept up.

Why go 66 and eat at Chili's or Applebees or stay at the Hyatt, when you're after the experience? We do get something to eat at McDonald's when we have bathroom breaks. That's only right.

Great motels in Illinois were Pontiac's Downtowner (since torn down), the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center (the state's first Holiday Inn) and the Travel Lodge in Springfield. Now that Art's Motel in Farmersville has been restored, we plan on staying there as well as the Lincoln Inn in Lincoln which has been taken over by Best Western so will be fixed up.

Great Route 66 places to eat are especially numerous in our state, starting with Lou Mitchell's in Chicago, Dell Rhea's and White Fence Farm in the suburbs, Launching Pad in Wilmington, Polka-Dot Inn in Braidwood. the Old Log Cabin in Pontiac, Palms Cafe in Atlanta and Cozy Dog in Springfield are just a few.

So, We Are "Purists." --RoadDog