Day 3 – Cuba to Springfield
Making a habit of getting up early at the moment. Was up again around 05h30 and posted on the blog.
I started with breakfast and the “Old Times Café” in Cuba, another mom and pop joint that had been in the family for years and years. I tasted the traditional Biscuit and Gravy dish as I had no idea what it was. I was quite surprised – it’s basically a sort of creamy white sauce with bits of meat (bacon?) put over a chunky block of bread. I stuck with the American breakfast though – bacon, eggs and hash browns.
Fanning was my next stop and the US 66 Outpost was impressive. It hosts the world’s largest rocking chair – you have to see it to believe it! Inside were a lot of antiques and souvenirs. They also have an archery shooting range in the back! We are definitely in hunting county – they had lots of deer and beers on show that they had hunted and stuffed. I am also beginning to see just how much people believe in god over these parts. The woman in the shop was having a prayer session with another guy. She was basically bowed down with him holding her hands and praying out loud – never seen that before but kinda happy I did.
After stopping at some random antique shops in the towns of Rosati and Rolla, I took a little detour across to Arlington. Arlington was by-passed twice by the Interstate (the I-44 first ran close to Arlington but was then re-routed further away) and it became even more isolated. What was once a thriving camping site now lies abandoned. It was quite a strange experience to be there and imagine how different this area must have been in the 50’s and 60’s!
The landscape and accents (more strong Southern, like hillbillies) have begun to change now. From grain in Illinois to forest in the Cuba area we are definitely going west into cattle county. There were some amazing houses along the way and so much greenery – meadows, cows and horses grazing etc. Best of all is that the Route 66 goes through these sceneries so the driving is once again brilliant.
Another great thing I am enjoying is driving side by side with the railroad. It feels like the movie “Stand by me”. I had to…and I did. I stopped and jumped up on the railroad – walking it for a couple of meters and then jumping back into the car.
Following some of the deepest Route 66 driving in Missouri, I crossed Devils Elbow and a really nice olde skool bridge – again, it reminded me of the same movie.
I did not make too many stops after this as I wanted to get to Springfield at a decent time. I did make brief stops in Lebanon (Munger Moss Motel and Walmart), went through Marshfield and Strafford and into Springfield. Tonight I am staying at the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven – although it’s a chain hotel it is one of the original on the route. Again, nice clean room and it cost $60 – cannot complain really!
Today was all about the driving. I did stop and speak to some people but this route had a lot of antique joints and museums – I was not too keen to detour to all of them so just focused on enjoying the beautiful scenery with all four windows of the car down!
Tomorrow I will drive from Springfield to Claremore in Oklahoma. I have completed around 575 miles so far...
Signing off now - hope everyone is doing well. And for those that are reading hope you are enjoying it. Halloween is getting closer and closer!
you are really seeing the real America!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome!