Day 2 - Springfield to Cuba (October 12th)

Day 2 – Springfield to Cuba…

Was up at 05h30 this morning so worked on the blog and planned the day. Decided to visit Abe Lincoln’s house in the morning and was totally taken aback. It was the only house he and his wife owned and lived in at the same time – purchased back in 1850’s for $1,500! They lived there for many years until Lincoln won the presidential election and moved to the White House. The whole street where they lived has been pedestrianized and a lot of the old street features have been kept. It was like going back into history and quite overwhelming – can you imagine…almost 165 years ago he actually lived there. The plan was always to return to Springfield but he was assassinated in Washington and the family moved to Chicago.

After making a quick stop at White Oaks Mall and taking a picture of the Lauderbach Giant on Wabash, I continued into Auburn, Thayer and Virden – eating lunch in Girard at the Soda Fountain Café. Home made cheeseburger and root beer kept me going in this fantastic little mom and pop joint.

The driving was exceptional. You can see how much the road swang around. Between Chatham and Auburn was about 1 mile of brick road – AMAZING! From Girard to Nilwood was a winding road through farmland and the road itself was quite cracked. You can see that this road has not really been looked after since being bi-passed in the 70’s by the Interstate.

Arriving into Carlinville and OH MY GOD – I found my Back to the Future town – so picturesque with its brick-lined square and traditional looking buildings.

It was at this stage that my camera battery died, as did my iPhone and every other electronic device I had…I was not going to be able to take any more pictures today and that really annoyed me.

Next stop was Staunton and Henry’s Rabbit Ranch & Route 66 Emporium. Henry himself was a friendly guy and we chatted for half an hour about his rabbits, the history of the road and how Washington had forgot the surrounding towns.

There is a real sense of frustration around these parts that hard workers are being screwed by state inefficiencies, corrupt practices and Obama and his chums – whilst young people claim welfare and free medical expenses – all that after another chat with a local. Local schools are also having their budgets slashed and kids are being left behind within the education system. These are simple people with true American values...you work hard, make an honest living and provide for your family. Why should these people – some struggling to make ends meat - pay as much tax as those in say New York.

The annoyance of not having the camera and the limited time remaining until darkness lead me to drive the Interstate (I-270) a little (I was still some 100 miles away from my motel in Cuba, MO). After some wrong turns and speeding through some small hilly lanes through farmyards, I then re-joined Route 66 for the last 40 or so miles, taking me through the last small towns of Illinois (Mitchell and Granite City) and then over the Chain of Rocks Bridge on the Mississippi River and into Missouri. Crossing the Mississippi River was a great feeling. I grew up reading books based in the Deep South with references to the river and although Missouri is not considered Deep South it was still amazing to finally meet the beast and see its power.

I totally by-passed St. Louis as there was a baseball play-off game happening and I did not want to get stuck in traffic (Cardinals vs. Brewers). I did think about stopping to watch it live but then decided to watch it on TV when in Cuba. Cardinals won 4-3. Also, I was warned not to roam around the city due to a lot of gang violence – “They just shoot you for nothing over there…it means nothing to them”. All I wanted to see was the St. Louis arch – and I saw that from the Interstate (no camera battery to take pictures though – remember?!).

I arrived in Cuba just before 19h and checked into the Wagon Wheel Motel. The motel has been totally refurbished and looks really good. Rooms are clean and the owner (Connie) has put a lot of hard work and time into making sure of that.

I was invited by Connie and her two friends for a glass of wine on their deck. I spent about an hour with them before heading to a grill place for dinner (I actually managed to finish my whole meal this time – not because I am a fat b**tard and used to the portions now, but because the portion was an English standard).

Today was really enjoyable. Although I did not make as many stops as yesterday, the driving was fantastic and some unplanned detours I took added to the adventure. People in these parts are so nice and friendly. I feel for them though as they are the forgotten people of America…limited support and a lot of pressure.

Tomorrow I will leave Cuba and drive some 190mi to Springfield, MO. I have traveled a total of 400mi now - only about 2,500mi to go!! Here's a link to my route traveled so far...