Getting Our Kicks

Last weekend we decided to stay a little closer to home and check out some landmarks on Route 66. There is this website that has a turn by turn guide of which towns route 66 used to run through and some landmarks that are in each town. We didn't find everything on the list, but it was fun just to drive through all of these small towns and check stuff out.

The Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, IL. They did not like that his eyes were white.

A big Elvis at the Polk-a-Dot Drive-In in Braidwood, IL.

The Sinclair Gas Station in Odell, IL.

A trailer Sam wanted a picture by.

Kate waiting at the gas pump.

A corn field.

Odell's cool water tower or gumball as Kate used to call them.

Pontiac, IL

Pontiac is known for its many murals but nothing was as cool as this tile work on the local newspaper building.

Pontiac had a bunch of these cars around the town. This one was awesome.

A town hall straight out of Music Man.

On our way home, we went back to Polka-a-Dots for dinner. 

And I'm glad we did or we would have missed these gems on the other side of the restaurant.

It was fun to explore all of these towns. We are learning that small towns shut down early, so we need to remember to start our trips earlier. I would also love to see Route 66 stuff in Texas, New Mexico and Arizonia, I bet there is way more kitschy stuff that doesn't have to endure freezing winters. Maybe one day...