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?"

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.

Just inside the cave entrance.

Inside the caverns.

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.



A Route 66 icon, Monroe's was famous for its food,
rock front and Quonset Hut back.

 

Down South Cafe window

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!



Route 66 State Park in Missouri

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



State Park sign at Visitor Center entrance



Burma Shave signs in the Visitor Center





Head out on the highway
Looking for adventure
Lil Dude Troll was born to be wild!






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

Missouri welcomes the Trolls!

At the Missouri Welcome Center on Route 66 coming from Illinois.

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.

Under the arch. That thing was a lot bigger
than the Trolls thought!

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!

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

On Route 66 - Luna Cafe to Missouri Border



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!




Al Capone was here!



Yes, Lil Dude really is in this picture.



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!





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!