Tuesday, July 31, 2012

On Route 66 at The Totem Pole Trading Post

Open since 1933 and located at 1413 Martin Springs, in Rolla, Missouri, the Totem Pole Trading Post has seen thousands of Route 66 travelers and celebrities such as Buck Owens, Janie Fricke, Tony Orlando, and the Harlem Globetrotters stop for the clean restrooms, road snacks, soda's, sugar-cured ham sold in burlap bags, fuel, beer and Ozarks souvenirs. It remains a staple of the Mother Road.


"Can you see me?"

"Can you see me now?"

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Meramec Caverns

Opened to the public in 1935, with 26 miles of underground passageways and a rich, interesting history, Meramec Caverns draws thousands of visitors each year from all over the world.

Route 66 Meramec Caverns entrance troll
Just inside the cave entrance.

Route 66 Meramec Caverns troll
Inside the caverns.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

On Route 66 at Monroe's Diner

At Monroe's Diner in Pacific, Missouri. After serving Route 66 travelers for over 60 years, Monroe's closed around 6 years ago. In mid-May 2012, a new owner re-opened the diner as the Down South Cafe. It still serves American food, but now also serves up Cajun and Creole - po'boy sandwiches, gumbo, beignets, etouffe, and even fried alligator.


Route 66 Monroes Diner Down South Cafe
A Route 66 icon, Monroe's was famous for its food,
rock front and Quonset Hut back.
 
Route 66 Monroes Diner Down South Cafe window troll
Down South Cafe window


Route 66 Down South Cafe alligator troll
Since fried alligator is served, there's one on the sign in
front of the cafe. Lil Dude Troll got a little too close to the
jaws of death!



Sunday, July 22, 2012

Route 66 State Park in Missouri

East of Eureka, Missouri is the Route 66 State Park.


troll and Route 66 State Park Visitor Center sign in Missouri
State Park sign at Visitor Center entrance



troll and Burma Shave signs visitor center Route 66 State Park
Burma Shave signs in the Visitor Center



Route 66 State Park Missouri motorcycle troll Visitor Center
Head out on the highway
Looking for adventure
Lil Dude Troll was born to be wild!






Monday, July 16, 2012

On Route 66 - St. Louis to Ted Drewe's

Route 66 Missouri Welcome Center St Louis Troll
Missouri welcomes the Trolls!
At the Missouri Welcome Center on Route 66 coming from Illinois.











St Louis Gateway Arch Troll
Finally got to see the Gateway Arch!

On a very bright, hot, sweltering day in spring of 2012, the Troll family pulled into St. Louis to see the famous Gateway Arch.


St Louis Gateway Arch Troll underneath
Under the arch. That thing was a lot bigger
than the Trolls thought!















Route 66 Ted Drewes Frozen Custard Troll
It's a popular place, but the Trolls didn't mind standing
in line waiting for their Frozen Custard!

Back on Route 66 after seeing the Arch, Lil Dude & the rest of the Troll Family went to Ted Drewe's for a taste of the Frozen Custard they had heard about! Lil Dude & Daddy Troll liked the pineapple, but other members of the Troll family liked strawberry best. It was a particularly wonderful treat in the hot, hot weather!






Route 66 Ted Drewes Frozen Custard window Troll
Lil Dude Troll in the window of Ted Drewe's


Down the road just a little ways is the Troll's next stop - the Route 66 State Park.
Don't forget to catch the human's version of the Route 66 road trip adventure! www.1dustytrack.blogspot.com

Sunday, July 8, 2012

On Route 66 - Luna Cafe to Missouri Border


Route 66 Fairfield Inn Collinsville Illinois
The Fairfield Inn in Collinsville. Another room, another
view of another parking lot and another hotel.

After spending the night in Collinsville, Illinois, Lil Dude Troll visited the Luna Cafe. Built in 1924, it was the hangout of Al Capone!



Route 66 Troll at Luna Cafe
Al Capone was here!







Route 66 Luna Cafe
Yes, Lil Dude really is in this picture.



















Route 66, troll on Chain of Rocks Bridge
On the Illinois side of the Chain of Rocks Bridge

From there it was a short trip to the old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Crossing over the Mississippi River from Illinois to Missouri, it was built in 1929.  It was closed to automobiles in 1969, but at a little over 1 mile in length, it is now the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. If you have seen the movie "Escape From New York," then you've seen this bridge!




Route 66 Chain of Rocks Bridge
Lil Dude walking across the bridge. Why?
To get to the other side of course!
This was the last stop for the Troll Family on the great 2012 Route 66 adventure in Illinois. Next stop - Missouri!