A blink and we’re past Hofflin. Cuba is next with lots of their older buildings still standing and in use. They have some beauties here. Even have a couple of the old Phillips 66 service stations with the pitched roof here.

Fanning was next, not much of anything here. We rounded the bend before the Rosati winery and what do we spy but Bob Waldmire’s VW bus! We flag him down and have a nice visit with him. He’s doing a postcard of the winery and was putting the finishing touches on it. He showed several sketches of some cards in the making, they’re going to be great. After our visit we headed west into St James. The sun is starting to set so we head back to camp. What a great day! Didn’t make our goal, but there’s always another day.

Near Rolla, Missouri

This is the card that Bob Waldmire was sketching when we spotted him. The weather was very nasty but we visited with Bob out in the cold for about an hour that day. Bob has been a friend for many years.

Sunday after Thanksgiving starts out with a great breakfast at the Tri-County Truck Stop in Villa Ridge. We were served by a waitress named Bootsie, how cool is that? She’s worked there for 21 years. Great food. Next stop was the National Transportation Museum in St Louis. We were anxious to see the Coral Court Motel facade that is there. This is a MUST stop for any train buffs. There are so many here. Lots of cool stuff to look at. They have done a wonderful job of the Coral Court. There are lots of little memorabilia items there also. An added bonus was the sign from the Westward Ho Motel, this is a great one. They were having a toy train display there also, it’s amazing how they can build those tracks and make it look like a little city.

What a difference 8 years makes! Our next stop was the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Last time we were here it was overgrown with dead ivy and very scary looking as you approached. Now the dead stuff is gone, the graffiti has been cleaned up, there’s some new paint and it looks very inviting. There were quite a few people there taking in a nice day, most were there to walk. And what a great place to walk! A nice view of the city and the river. We were so glad to be able to walk the entire length of this beautiful bridge. As we walked we wondered how it would have been to drive over this toll bridge, it’s very narrow. We could imagine how traffic would have to be backed up if a large truck tried to make that 22 degree bend. It’s a good feeling to know that this landmark was saved and has been put to such a good use.

Cheryl took this photo of me pretending to drive over the Chain of Rocks Bridge. It is now just a walking trail.

“Chain of Rocks Bridge” - St. Louis, Missouri

We had thought of going to Ted Drewes for some frozen custard, but decided against it. It was a little too cold for that. Might have to have some shipped to us in MT. ;) Traffic was starting to pick up and we had one more stop to make, the Route 66 State Park. Since we didn’t know what time it closed we left the city and headed west. The visitor’s center here is done really nice. They have lots of Route 66 memorabilia that I would love to have in my own collection. The gift shop there is pretty decent too. They had a couple of things that I was going to have to send off for, saved me some postage. Driving through Times Beach was depressing and exciting at the same time. It was kind of sad to think about all the people that had begun their dreams there only to have them all snatched away. I cannot imagine how some of them must have felt coming back here when the park opened. The plans for this area to become a large wildlife preserve are to be commended. It’s a great location. We follow the road back to camp. Tomorrow we move to Springfield MO.

Spent the day traveling, but snuck a little 66ing in, we had lunch at Witmor Farms. Mmmmm good! We both had the hot beef sandwich and it was the best I’ve ever had. Don’t usually like the beef ones. The beef was really tasty and thick, not like the lunch meat slices you mostly get. And just the right amount of gravy, not a ton of it to disguise the lack of meat. And real mashed potatoes. We’re staying at the KOA in Springfield, not far from Route 66. If you stay here be prepared for lots of train and plane noise.

We hit the Interstate in the morning and lead footed back to St James. Did a little wine tasting and picked up a few bottles. Lots of remains of some nice motels. Cruised on down the road to Route 66 Motors. They have lots of stuff here. When we first stopped in 1992 spent lots of money here. Lucky that their stock is pretty much the same and I don’t need anything. I am in search of a child’s Route 66 wallet, so we are hitting more of the souvenir shops than usual. Pulled in at the Mule Trading Post and it was closed, couldn’t believe it. It was open when we went by yesterday. Into Rolla we went. This is a busy town, probably due to the University here. There used to be so many old buildings through here, all gone now. Stopped at the Totem Pole Trading Post, still no luck. A real nice drive as you go through Martin Springs and Doolittle and then into Arlington. We inspected all aspects of this once a town. We always seem to spend quite a bit of time at John’s Modem Cabins. They’re just so fun to explore. Someone put up some Burma Shave type signs here for the Fun Run. A couple of them had fallen over and we picked them up and pounded them deeper into the ground. We’ve got several pictures of these run down old cabins, probably more than we need.

John’s Modern Cabin’s - Arlington, Missouri

Old Depot - Arlington, Missouri