Oklahoma City to Tucumcari, NM

Another day on Route 66 sort of…

Leaving Okalhoma City we tried to visit the memorial at the Federal building but because it was raining heavly. All we could do was drive around it, a disappointment.
Back on the road again. Moving the plains and brush land of Oklahoma to the dry flat, I mean really flat an dry plains of the Texas pan handle, to the desert lands of New Mexico. We were chaced by rain most of the day with little opportunity to do much site seeing not that there was much to see. Another 6 hour day.
Did have a local color fix eating at the Lizard Lounge on the old road in Tucumcari. Great local color.

Saint Louis to Oaklahoma City

Day two Route 66

This was day two heading west. Again it wasn't easy to find Route 66 but eventually we found our way. This was a 8 hour day on the Interstate so we were way behind by the time by the time we reached Springfield so unfortunately we left Route 66 for the Interstate. Did find the Worlds Largest Gift Shop so of course we had to stop. But what junk. We did buy a tee shirt, a Route 66 licence plate holder and key chain, ya!

Chicago to Saint Louis

Day one on Route 66

 After two great days in Chicago we finally left for Saint Louis via Route 66. Our first stop was Lou Mitchell's on Jefferson St.. We had what is reportable one of the Routes iconic eating places. We had a great time at breakfast where we meet a local firefighter and his father and daughter. They were on there way to Washington DC to visit collages. We sat at a communal table which allowed us to meet these people. Angie did get her Milk Duds.

 We left Chicago and had a hell of a time finding Route 66. It took us maybe an hour to finally find the right road. We did get to see a lot of the Chicago suburbs. There are some amazing homes out there.

On the road some of the great things along the way.

 It was a long day but we finally made it to Saint Louis, MO. Good room right across from the arch and a good meal at the hotel.

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So Much to tell so little time

So much to tell…

 

Its been a number of days now since the last posting. It just that we've been on the the road 6 to 8 hours every day and by the time we've stopped for the day and found something to eat its been to easy to postpone any recounting until a future time and place. Well I guess the time and place are here and now.
We've checked in to the very nice La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa just off the plaza. We arrived this morning at 10:30 or so after a 2.5 hour drive from Tucomcari, NM. We were a little early for check-in so we had brunch in the restaurant and then went down to the Plaza for a little shopping and site seeing. Angie found some jewelry she liked; according to the salesman/designer they would  make it a similar piece just for her for about 7K. Bracelet or back yard, hum?
Lets see if I can recount our trip? The last posting was on July 9th and we were just leaving Columbus, OH on our way to Chicago, IL.

Chicago, Chicago oh what a town! 

This was my first visit to Chicago and Angie and I are in love with it . We had an amazing time exploring the city by site seeing bus. You know one of those hop-on-hop off deals that take you around the city with a very verbose guide. Great fun and a great way for us to get familiar with the city. After we checked in at the Palomar Hotel in the hart of downtown we hoped on the bus did our first tour of the city. Chicago is an architectural candy store. Every kind of facade imaginable and skyscrapers to make you dizzy. And gobs of public art from Picasso to Chagall. The evening as spent checking out the local music seen. Unfortunately its Monday night and not as vibrant as I would have liked.
The next morning we had scheduled the Architectural tour via the River. The kind featured in The Break-up(movie). The weather was absolutely perfect with low temperatures and humidity; don't think we could has asked for better. In the afternoon we took as number of the smaller tours through various neighborhood, east side west side all around the town, very enjoyable. Had a Chicago style hot dog sans ketchup and a Chocolate Cake Shake. Angie washed it down with a $2.86 ice tea from McDonald's.I guess they charge that because it's the largest McDonald's in America, consisting of two floors and about 6000 sq. ft. Wrigley Field, check! Sorry we couldn't make it to a Cubs game this time. Just so much to see and do; just not enough time.
Chicago is expensive! Everything is more than expected. Example: our overnight parking at the hotel was $58 a night. A four block pedi cab ride wanted 30 bucks. And Starbucks don't even ask. One footnote this was the first Starbucks I've encountered that served wine and beer. An of course food at any of the restaurants is expensive. We did have a very nice meal however at the Grill at the Park in Memorial Park.