Along 66, July 2019: Of Bottles, Of Mufflers and Al Capone

JULY 5--  Elmer Lang, 72, died June 22, 2019.  He was the eccentric creator of the Bottle Tree Ranch on Route 66 near Oro, California.

This is quite an example of folk art, not to mention eye-catching.

JULY 10--  A New Muffler Man named Frecs (short for freckles) is on Route 66 in Galena, Kansas.  It is a 19-feet tall miner and is just west of Front Street Bridge.  A muffler man for the miners.

You can never have enough muffler men.

JULY 11--  There was an Al Capone presentation at the Mill's 90th anniversary party in Lincoln, Illinois.  It was given by Illinois' own David Clark, aka "The Windy City Road Warrior."

I know of no one else who knows so much about Route 66 in Chicago, and, of course, Al Capone was a big part of Chicago.  I also don't know anyone who walks as fast as David.

Al Capone Slept Here?  --RoadDog

Along 66, July 2019: Route 66 Rising in Tulsa, The "Mayor of Route 66," A Museum Turns 50

JULY 3--  The official dedication of the Route 66 Rising statue in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Quite an impressive structure and we'll look for it the next time through.

JULY 4--  Bob Russell is stepping down at the mayor of Pontiac, Illinois.  He is noted for often meeting busloads of folks traveling Route 66.  So much that he often is referred to as "The Mayor of Route 66.

He cites age as a factor for his decision as he will soon be 72.

I know the feeling, Mayor.

JULY 5--  The J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, turned fifty.

Congratulations.

Pontiac, Illinois.  One City That Appreciates Its Route 66 Heritage.  --RoadDog

Along 66, July 2019: Afton Station Sold, Death of a 66er

These are taken from the Route 66 News site which has a whole lot more stories as well as information.  I just take the ones of most interest to me.

JULY 2--  The new owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, wants ideas for a Route 66 business to be located there.

Louis Cox bought it for $72,000 at auction on Saturday.

Here's hoping that the city will back him as they can really use the help.  Sure miss the former owner, Laurel Kane, who was always so friendly and nice

JULY 3--  Martha Jackson was a key figure in getting Litchfield, Illinois, its Route 66 Museum and visitors center, has died at age 87.

I didn't know her, but anyone who loves the road as much as I do is alright with me.

Thank You Laurel and Martha, For All You Have Done for the Mother Road.  --RoadDog

Camp Joy Cabin Dedicated at Lebanon Route 66 Festival in Missouri

JUNE 19, 2019:  The sole remaining cabin of Camp Joy in Lebanon, Missouri, has been moved to Boswell Park, restored and dedicated as the capstone of Lebanon's annual Route 66 Festival.

It has taken four months of restoration and about 100 gathered by it for presentation of plaques to those responsible for it.

One plaque was given to Lee Sing who donated it.  Others went to Mayor Jared Carr and City Administrator Mike Schumacher.  Bruce Owen was the driving force behind the whole project.

Camp Joy was an early tourist camp across from present day Cowan Civic Center and founded in 1927 by the Spears family, one year after the gravel road through town became Route 66.  The children of the Spears were in attendance.

The cabin measures 16 foot square today, but the original was 12 by 16 foot, with the extra 4 feet added for a bathroom.  There were 4 acres in Camp Joy and a Sinclair gas station.  Some famous overnight guests were the outlaws Bonnie & Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd and singer Tex Ritter.

Liz and I were very happy to be there.

--RoadDog

Top Ten Songs on August 18, 1969, the Last Day of Woodstock

These are the WLS 890 AM Top Ten in Chicago for August 18, 1969, fifty years ago.  The last official day of the Woodstock Festival was August 17, but because of the rain, Jimi Hendrix was the last to take the stage at 9 am Monday, August 18.

1.  HONKY TONK WOMAN--  Rolling Stones
2.  HURT SO BAD--  Lettermen
3.  SOUL DEEP--  Box Tops

4.  LAY LADY LAY--  Bob Dylan
5.  BIRTHDAY--  Undeground Sunshine
6.  PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART--  Jackie DeShannon
7.  BOY NAMED SUE--  Johnny Cash

8.  GREEN RIVER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival
9.  I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN--  Tom Jones
10.  POLK SALAD ANNIE--  Tony Joe White

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Whatever Colors You Have In Your Mind."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Lay Lady Lay"

One Week-- Part 4: Steak Fry, The Grove, Bricks & Ivy, Gazebo and Legion Picnic

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

We went to the Spring Grove Firemen's annual steak fry at Horse Fair Park.  Always good to support your local fire department.  It cost $20 for a large ribeye, baked potato, cole slaw, roll, ear of corn and pie.  We could not finish it.

We decided to make this a Spring Grove evening so stayed in town and went to The Grove and after that to Bricks & Ivy for cocktails.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18

Bob Stroud played Woodstock at 50 on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive this morning.  It was music from the movie and on the radio fifty years ago.  I will be listing the songs he played as a future time in my Down da Road I Go blog.

Read the Tribune in the gazebo and then we went to the Fox Lake American Legion picnic and spent all afternoon.  Great food, beer and we had a solo guy entertaining.  All free.

Real Good Time.  --RoadDog

One Week-- Part 3: Woodstock, Fish Fry, Sunnyside and Football

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16

Fifty years ago they were having the Woodstock Art Festival in New York state.  That was some lineup of music.  Wish I had been there.  Hey, even if it was just my all-time favorite group, Creedence Clearwater Revival.

One of the great things about living here in the Midwest, is the abundance of fish  fries on Fridays.  Hey, it's a Friday Fish Fry kind of day.  Last Friday, we met a bunch of the usual Suspects at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for one.  And today, Liz and I went to Stucky's in Johnsburg for one.  One of the best ever in my opinion.  The breading on the fried fish was absolutely delicious.

Then to nearby Sunnyside Tavern where a group was having a good time with the jukebox and were joined by Kevin and Kelly and watched the waste-of-time preseason Bears game.  We did play Country Joe McDonald's "Fixin'-to-Die-Rag" which was from Woodstock.

You know:  "It's one, two, three, what are we fightin' for, don't ask me I don't give a damn, next stop is Vietnam."

--RoadNam

One Week-- Part 2: Communication, Radio, Bars, Wings and a Band

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14

Most days at 10 a.m., I listen to Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.  All  this month they are letting listeners give their ten songs and make comments during the show.  Today's was from a Palatine gal, Cindy Mitchell.  Liz and I both lived in Palatine during high school.  Her topic today was Communication.  She did a fine job.

THE LETTER--  Joe Cocker
COMMUNICATION  BREAKDOWN--  Led Zeppelin
OPERATOR--  Jim Croce

TAKE A LETTER MARIA--  R,B. Greaves
DIALOGUE (PART 1 AND 2)--  Chicago
HUSH--  Deep Purple
TELEPHONE LINE--  ELO

WESTERN UNION--  Five Americans
I'VE GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU--  Bee Gees
867-5309 (JENNY)--  Tommy Tutone

She did a REALLY GOOD JOB!!

Drove to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and then to Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois.  A bi-state quest for liquid refreshment.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15

Did some shopping in McHenry, Illinois, and some yard work. Then drove to Bootleggers on Grasslake Road and met Kevin and Kelly and enjoyed the 50 cent wings and $1 draft pints.

Then went to the It's Thursday show in Antioch, Illinois, at the bandshell.  Tonight's band was the Piano Man who performed the music of Billy Joel and Elton John.

--RoadDog

One Week-- Part 1: FP, Yard Work, Blogs, Sunnyside Tavern, Moose Lodge, Classic Cars, Band and Former Student

MONDAY, AUGUST 12

Sat out FP (Front Porch) most every day reading the Tribune and having coffee or breakfast.  A great way to greet the morning.  Relaxing.  Then I go on the internet and post to these blogs for awhile.  Weather permitting, I work in the yard and have been getting some of the back deck flower bed area out of being overgrown.

And, I have surprisingly at this late date in my life, gotten into crossword puzzles (the easy ones).

I also enjoy sitting OD (On Deck) and out in the gazebo.

Met the friendly folks at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg as we do often.  All August (and this past July) they have $1.50 domestic pints, a good price these days.  Met a former student who remembers when I used to deejay the dances at Magee Middle School.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13

FP, blogs, yard work.

Went to Sunnyside then over to the McHenry Moose Lodge for the classic car show and the band Heartbeats.  Enjoyed the 3 tacos for $5 and $3 margaritas there, then back to Sunnyside.

--RoadDog

The Movie "Cars" Impact on Me: Animation "Ain't" So Bad

Back in 2005, when I learned there was going to be a movie about Route 66, I was excited.  We'd been bitten by the Route 66 bug in 2002 and just couldn't get enough of it.

Then I learned that it was going to be an animated one and that the "people" would be cars.  I was completely disappointed.  I hadn't seen an animated movie in a long time and thought it would be like "Sleeping Beauty" or "Snow White."  Plus, how could mechanical beings be people?

But. when it was released, I went out to see it anyway.  Hey, we can't get enough publicity for Route 66.  And, was I in for a surprise.  With computers, animation has come a real long way.  This was no "Snow White."  After a short time, I wasn't even thinking of it as animation.

And, the cars.  About as soon as animation, I stopped thinking of them as cars, but people who just looked like cars.

This was just an amazing film.  And, it was clear that so much of Route 66, both places and people, but also heart and soul was in it.  We recognized people and places.  The pathos of the interstate and impact on American travel was clear.

Well, I saw the film again in the theater a few days later, then went out to our local McHenry Outdoor Theater (McHenry, Illinois) and saw it there again.  Not only that, but before that I went to the local Dog 'N Suds in Ingleside for a Coney Dog and that great mug of root beer.  (We have three of the last seven Dog 'N Suds in the country within twenty miles of here.)

Just something about the curb service, and old chain of restaurants like this and a movie at a drive in theater just sort of set the stage for a movie like "Cars."

Make sure you watch the video I wrote four posts about to see how they arrived at the movie.

A Real "Cars" Experience.  Thanks John Lasseter.  --RoadCars

Along 66, June 2019: Centennial Commission and Gasconade Bridge

These are from the Route 66 News blog spot which has many more postings than the ones I do here which are just ones of particular interest to me.

JUNE 21--  The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act advanced out of the Senate's Committee on Environment and Public Works and now goes to the floor.  I'm thinking it won't have much a problem passing.

JUNE 27--  An engineering firm says it will cost at least $2.5 million to rehabilitate the closed Gasconade River Bridge in Missouri near Hazelgreen.

I'm thinking it could be less if turned into a park and just minor structural repairs and painting are done.  It would be a nice place for a picnic.

--RoadDog

Things That Inspired the Movie "Cars"-- Part 4: Characters in Movie Based On People They Met on Trip

Well worth watching this video which you can find on Ron Warnick's Route 66 News site or You Tube.  "Disney Pixar Cars -  Route 66: Memory Lane" hosted by John Lassiter.

Here It is--  Jack Rabbit Trading Post reason for the jack rabbits in the movie.

Twin Arrows to get you to stay

As they traveled, they made wreaths of various road "finds."  This was at Michael Wallis' behest.

Seligman's Angel Degudillo  coined the name Historic Route 66.

The "Cars" characters were based on people they met on Route 66.

--Road66

Things That Inspired the Movie "Cars"--Part 3: Tee Pee Curios and Blue Swallow Motel

Before beginning to work on the movie "Cars" they took a ride on Route 66 for ideas.  They found plenty of ideas.

Michael Wallis declared Glenrio "Death by interstate."

The terrain in New Mexico and Arizona as well as the continental divide was the most inspirational.

Tee Pee Curios--  classic

Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari--  each room had a place for cars to park in a covered spot.  This influenced Sally's motel.

The Yellow Horse Indian Shop influenced the Old Wagon Wheel motel.  Behind it is  a cave.

The neon signs of motels along Route 66 had big influence on all the neon signs in Radiator Springs.

--RoadDog

Things That Inspired the Movie "Cars" and Other Things-- Part 2

Continued from August 1.

Quanset Huts--  Sarge's place

Pony Bridge--  Trade Winds Hotel  where Elvis slept

Country Dove Restaurant--  Silk Pies

Motrack--  riding lawnmowers

Barb Wire Museum--  When our hero got caught up in it.

By the fourth day of the movie company's trip to gather information for their movie, they weren't too worried about getting to the next place.  In the movie, once they got to Radiator Springs, he slowed down.

Midpoint Cafe--  ugly crust pie

The single most inspirational place was Glenrio--  essentially totally abandoned.

--RoadDog

A Week In the Life-- Part 7: Back 40 Years and the PLAV Street Dance

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4

Had coffee and read part of the Chicago Tribune FP.  Enjoyed going back to August 4, 1979, forty years ago on Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots Part 3 Summer of '79 show.   Forty years ago we were living in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, and enjoying good times with our neighbors.

These were songs on our radio and in our record collections and the first four songs he played:

I Need A Lover--  John Cougar
Minute By Minute--  Doobie Brothers
Logical Song--  Supertramp
My My Hey Hey--  Neil Young

For the complete list of songs he played, go to my Down Da Road I Go blog.

We had a choice of going to see Jed's band playing at Stucky's in Johnsburg or the PLAV's annual street dance in McHenry.  We chose the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) as we also hang  out there a lot.  And, it was a real hard deal to beat.  It was all you can eat of Italian, Polish, brats and hot dogs, salads, corn on the cob and desserts you can eat as well beer you can drink for $10.

All that and Peter & the Versatiles were  playing outside, one of our favorite bands, plus, when they were on break we had a karaoke/DJ guy interacting with the crowd.  We got to see buddy Mark shaking his little tush to " I'm Too Sexy."

So, this was my week and why I stay around here usually doing the summer.

Way Too Much Fun.  --RoadFun

A Week In the Life-- Part 6: Teachers, Legion, Yardwork, Sunnyside Tap

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2

Drove to the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin, for the Magee Middle School teacher get together.  Only one other teacher there because of summer trips, but we had a nice talk.  I had always thought my first days of teaching was something else when I got my teaching job on Friday, had our rehearsal dinner on Friday, fot married and had the reception on Saturday, went on the honeymoon in Galena which was cut short by having to start school on Tuesday.

Well, Cindy's first marriage was essentially the same but, she also started her first teaching job as a teacher strike loomed.  She took the marriage stakes.

Worked in the yard and met the Usual Suspects at the Fox Lake American Legion for 50-50.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3

More yardwork, then we went to Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg.  Who needs karaoke when you have all that great bar singing?

--RoadDog

A Week In the Life-- Part 5: Enjoying the House, A Band and Classic Cars

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1

FP.  Then on the internet, as I do most every day.  These blogs take a lot of time and effort. Today I also got to enjoy the deck (OD) and the gazebo.  I had to cut the grass, which, this time of the year shouldn't have to happen but every two weeks, but this has not been a normal summer.  All the rain we had through early July as well as the cool temperatures is providing an excellent grass growing condition.  And, it is.

Drove to Antioch, Illinois, and parked which required a walk through that beautiful little park and across Main Street to the Lodge which was standing room only.  Looking for a seat it seemed like it was open season on me.  Wherever I stood, I was in somebody's way.  We finally got two seats at the bar and enjoyed some pre-concert beers.  Thursdays they have half price pizza and 60 cent wings (used to be 35 cents) but the price of chicken wings has gone up with their increased popularity).  We ordered a chicken and bacon pizza.

During the summer, Antioch runs It's Thursday concerts from mid-June to mid-August at their bandshell in a park behind the Lodge.  They always have great bands and it's free.  We always make an effort to see these, but this year, this was the very first one.

Tonight the band was Class of '68, as you can figure, sixties music, right up our alley.  Great show and at the same time they were having a classic car show.

Well, I Sure Was a Happy Lad.  --RoadSixties

A Week in the Life-- Part 4: 1972, Half-Times, Sunnyside, NIU, Football, Donovan's and Back to Sunnyside

TUESDAY, JULY 30

Sat out FP (Front Porch) and later enjoyed Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten which featured the college year for me, 1972.  Of course, my favorite years for music are high school and college 1965 to 1973.     My pick for best of show, "Brandy" by Looking Glass.  If there ever was a song that paints a picture, this one does.  You can just see the nautical water front bar.

We met Kevin and Kelly at Half-Times in Johnsburg, Illinois, and had a nice talk with former Fox Lake American Legion Commander Kelli.  Enjoyed the $9 14-inch pizza with $1 toppings and $1 draft beers.  As often the case, you ended up at Sunnyside, which is the Cheers Bar of Johnsburg.  Most times we know everybody in the place.  And, for July, draft pints are just $1.50 from Monday to Friday.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31

Sat out FP the last two days for breakfast.  Good article in the Tribune about NIU's new coach (and former standout running back student) Thomas Hammock.  These guy bleeds Huskie red and black and we're hoping for great things from him.

Went to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for gas which is at $2.80.  In Illinois, because of Gov. Toilet's doubling the gas tax, it is $3.  We went to Donovan's Reef (happy hour 24 oz. draft beer $1.75) where we have been going since the nineties and this is a place like Sunnyside, where everybody knows your name.  It has a Florida feel to it, complete with three tall palm trees (artificial of course) outside.  Afterwards to Sunnyside.

--RoadDog

Music for the Great American Road Trip: "Lake Shore Drive"

All this month, Chicago's Drive, WDRV 97.1 FM (simulcast on 96.9 FM) is letting listeners tell them where to go on its long-running Ten At Ten show, where they play ten songs in a row without commercials and either about a specific year or a theme.

Today's show was the American Road Trip and was compiled by Shelby Dean of Berwyn, Illinois.  Sorry, Shelby, all I can think about is Svenghouli's "BERWYN!!!"

She started in Chicago, then to Louisiana, New York City, Georgia, California, back to Chicago, Winslow, Arizona, Philadelphia, Alabama and ended in Hollywood.  Before you read the song titles, see if you can guess the songs that took us there.

LAKE SHORE DRIVE--  Alliota, Haynes & Jeremiah
BORN ON THE BAYOU--  CCR
BACK IN NEW YORK--  Kiss

RAMBLIN' MAN--  Allman Brothers
GOING TO CALIFORNIA--  Led Zeppelin
BAD BAD LEROY BROWN--  Jim Croce
TAKE IT EASY--  Eagles

PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM--  Elton John
SWEET HOME ALABAMA--  Lynyrd Skynyrd
HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS--  Bob Seger

My only problem with her ten was when she introduced the Eagles' "Take It Easy" and just said that people stayed in motels in Winslow, Arizona, and nothing about it being on ROUTE 66.  You'd think she would have since Route 66 went through her town of Berwyn (BERWYN!!!)   He was standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, right there on Route 66.  They even have a Standing On the Corner Route 66 Festival every year.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well, I'm Standing On The Corner In Winslow, Arizona."  Answer below.  --RoadCorner


"Take It Easy"

A Week In the Life-- Part 3: Bear-Packer Rivalry and the Lodge

MONDAY, JULY 29

The next time the Bears and Packers played that season, Packer fans had their revenge.  We drove by the place and there were Packer flags and banners and green and gold all over the place.  They had taken over a Bears bar.  Well, I guess payback.

We didn't go to K.C.'s Cabin, though, this day.

After the Limerick, we walked across the street and through a beautiful little park which is maintained by the local garden society.  This is always a big treat for me as I am a big flower nut myself.  The park recently got a bent Indian tree sculpture.  Before whites came to the area, Indians would take young trees and start bending them so that they stayed that way.  These pointed the way for their trails.

Crossing the street is taking your life in your hands, even though cars are supposed to stop.  But they don't.  The Lodge was also called the Sequoit Lodge, named after a local Indian tribe as is the nickname of Antioch High School.  And, it is a thoroughly North Woods vibe in the paneling and decorations.  Their mascot is a moose.

They have breakfast/lunch entertainment Saturdays and Sundays, huge portions and fantastic breakfasts and is a great place to kick off the Antioch It's Thursday parties at the bandshell located behind the place.  As a matter of fact, we are going to one tonight with Johnny Russell and the Beach Bumz.  If you are into that Caribbean/Jimmy Buffett thing, this be the place for you.

Always A Good Time.  --RoadDog
antioc

A Week In the Life-- Part 2: Antioch's Limerick and Spring Grove's K.C.'s Cabin

We drove to downtown Antioch, Illinois, right on the Illinois/Wisconsin border and a downtown with plenty still happening.  A definite party place with several different wine, bourbon and beer walks as well as many restaurants, bars and small eclectic businesses as well as one of the prettiest little parks I've ever seen featuring a sculpture of an Indian direction tree.

First stop was at a bar named the Limerick which is paneled in wood both walls and ceiling.  This place is famous for its Bears-Packer parties where the place is divided into sections for each team.  Being in Illinois, the Bear fans have "control" of the bathrooms which makes for some interesting episodes.

An even more famous place for the Bear-Packer rivalry is about eight miles west of Antioch, at the intersection of Illinois Route 173 and Wilmot Road, named K.C.'s Cabin.  It is also on the Illinois/Wisconsin border and during game days draws fans from both teams.  About ten years ago, a bartender there named Beak, a big Packer fan, was giving the Bear fans a hard time as Da Bears were stinking up the place that game.  They warned him that if he didn't stop, he'd be taken out and duct taped to the stop sign.  He didn't stop, they did and there he was.

Cops stopped by to inquire how he got in that situation, he told them.  They asked if he wanted to make charges.  Beak said no and after he was extracted from his post on the stop sign, he went back inside and continued giving the Bear fans a hard time.

This story was picked up my the sports networks.

And, That Game Is Coming Up Real Soon.  --RoadBear

A Week In the Life-- Part 1: Or Why We Tend To Hang Around Here in the Summer

Again, people ask Liz and myself why we don't go away much during the summer.  Why go anywhere and face all the hassle when you've got so much to do around here?  And that is even without a boat as we now find ourselves.   It is like we are at our own vacation spot.

Plus, I can have a perfectly good time by myself enjoying the front porch (FP), deck (OD- On Deck), Grand Strand (lower patio), Flats (upper patio), garage and arboretum.  And, of course, there is always my study upstairs and our bar, Margaritaville, downstairs and the Ultimate Jukebox.

To give you an idea of what we do, here is a run-down of last week:

MONDAY, JULY 29

Sat out FP for breakfast.  In the afternoon, we got together with Kevin and Kelly and went to Bon Voyage bar and grill in Antioch on Grasslake Road in the old Skanda House Restaurant and enjoyed $1 drafts and hey had their Chain Crawl passport book signed.

The Chain Crawl is an organized activity where boaters go to some 30 places on or near the Chain of lakes to get their passports signed.  There are lots of prizes at a big party at the end of the season.  Liz and I used to join it every year.  Lots of fun.

We decided to check out some bars in Antioch, Illinois.

Barhopping.  --RoadDog

Burlington-Lincoln Highway Marker in DeKalb

From the September 12, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Bacl."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

A photograph accompanies the article showing the Burlington-Lincoln Highway marker in DeKalb and said it was six-feet tall.  It was sitting in the street.

It was by Illinois Highway 23 and the Lincoln Highway intersection.

I din't know anything about the Burlington Highway.  Did it come from nearby Burlington, Illinois?

Wonder What Happened To the Marker?  --RoadDog

Missouri Route 66's Show Me Route 66 Magazine

I belong to both the Missouri and the Illinois Route 66 Associations, my two favorite states for the Mother Road, followed by Oklahoma.

This past June, I paid for the next four years of Missouri membership while in Lebanon for their 66 Festival and recently received the summer edition of their quarterly magazine and this is a really good one, with articles about Illinois' Ariston Cafe in Litchfield for whom the Missouri Association worked to get the neon lights redone for the venerable building.

There was also an article on the endangered Lurvey Motel in Springfield, Missouri, with efforts to clean it up.  Neat looking motel now that you can see it.  Another article on one of my must-stops places in Rolla, the Totem Pole tourist trap.

Another on Ted Drewes in St, Louis which is celebrating its 90th year.  I'm looking forward to going back there once I end my boycott of St. Louis because of its removal of the Confederate statue in Forest Park.  Love those concretes.

Another article featured side trips to various Lewis and Clark sites around St. Louis and another was on the Chain of Rocks Bridge.  I'll still never forget my first sight of it back in 2002 when I stopped at the Missouri welcome center by the I-270 bridge over the Mississippi and asked where it was and was given the answer that it was behind me.  I hate when that happens.

This Was A Very Informative and Interesting Magazine.  --RoadSmarter

About Last Weekend-- Part 2: Civil War, My Favorite Store, Slider Fix, No Band, Sunnyside, Band

SATURDAY,  JULY 27TH

Drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois, where the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group was talking about turning points of the war.  I have a deep interest in this war (as my two blogs about it attest).  Afterwards I drove to nearby Algonquin to my favorite store these days (one of the few where I understand everything in it) Half-Price Books.  I bought a Civil War book and three CDs.

Then, to White Castle for my Slider fix.  We wish there was a White Castle nearer to us, but then we're glad there isn't.  Too much temptation, you know.

It got to be too late for the afternoon band at Choppers so ended up at Sunnyside Tap and a real good time with our jukebox karaoke.

SUNDAY, JULY 28TH

Enjoyed the FP and the gazebo.  Listened to Rock and Roll Roots and recorded Breakfast With the Beatles. on my cassette tape.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg and had a good time with Jim Sieg and his band.  I had the premium bucket of bottles, 5 for $15).  Afterwards to Sunnyide.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadFun

About Last Weekend-- Part 1: Brews, Sliders, Bars

Some say summers are for vacations.  I agree, unless you already live in a vacation spot as we do.

THURSDAY, JULY 25

Few things finer than sitting out on the front porch (FP) and having breakfast, coffee, reading the newspaper, looking at the flowers and listening to the birds.  I do this most every morning during the summer and fall.

In the afternoon, we met friends at Bulldog Ale House in McHenry and enjoyed the $3 craft and import beer special.  Then went to the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) for their $1 version of sliders.  We were thinking of going to the Big Band concert in Veterans Park but decided not to.  Ended up at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg.

FRIDAY, JULY 26

FP.  Met friends at the Fox Lake American Legion in the evening.

--RoadDog

Things That Inspired the Movie "Cars"-- Part 1: Sally Inspired by Dawn Welch

The movie "Cars" hooked me on animated movies.  And, of course, the fact it was about Route 66 added to its impact.  I saw it three times when it was out.  Once at a drive-in movie theater.

The Route 66 News blog site on June 16, 2019 had a video called "Disney Pixar Cars -- Route 66:  Memory Lane" hosted by John Lasseter, the movie's director.

This was a great video which talked a lot about how the scenes and people of the movie came about.  Before making the movie, they took a ride along Route 66.

Give it a watch.

In the meantime here are some of the things from the movie:

Fillmore's place --  Galloway's Totem Pole Park

Rock Cafe --  Dawn Welch --  Sally

Arcadia Round Barn --  best party site

More.  --RoadDog