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!

On Route 66 - Sites in Illinois

Elvis beside the entrance to Polk-a-Dot

In Braidwood is the famous Polk-a-Dot drive-in. Starting out over 50 years ago as a converted school bus, it still serves up good food to roadies & locals in a great 50's & 60's atmosphere.

Make your selection! 25cents per song. A little
Patty Page anyone? Chubby Checker? Elvis?

In Odell is a restored Standard Sinclair gas station known as the Odell Station. Built in 1932, it served Route 66 travelers for 66 years.

Old gas dispenser at the Odell Station

Dancing on the mailboxes in the front of the Odell Station

Checking out the 1953 Winnebago next to the Odell Station

Just 2,361 miles to go! (Lil Dude Troll
hiding in plain site)

 In Joliet along Route 66 is the Stateville Correctional facility, otherwise known as the Joliet prison. This is where Jake Blues in the movie The Blues Brothers is released at the beginning of the movie.

Lil Dude stopped at the gate - never been in prison
and doesn't want to be! 

An original section of the old Route 66 road outside
Cayuga, Illinois

 In Pontiac is the Lincoln County Courthouse, with Abe Lincoln doing nothing but leaning against a fence. Lil Dude couldn't help but be amused by the sign behind Lincoln.

Just hangin' around with Abe

Except for Abe!

Be sure to check out our sister site for the human version of the Route 66 trip here.

The Gemini Giant

Sites along Route 66 in Illinois.

One of the MUST sights to see on a Route 66 road trip is the Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Drive-in located in Wilmington, Illinois.



Route 66 Gemini Giant - It's big!

Lil Dude Troll is about the size of the giant's big toe



Inside the Launching Pad Drive-in - home of
the Gemini Giant



Lil Dude saying Hi to the young lady behind the counter



A little further down Route 66 is Dwight, Illinois with several restored old sites like the Ambler-Beckler Service Station.




Hanging around at the Ambler-Beckler
Texaco station built in 1932.

Come on over to our sister site for more pictures (the Troll Family thinks the pictures are not as interesting since they are not in them!) and details of our Route 66 road trip - human Route 66 site.



Route 66 - Road Trip Beginning

Any traditional east-to-west Route 66 trip should begin at Lou Mitchell's in Chicago. Lou Mitchell's opened in 1923 and has been serving customers for almost 90 years!

At 565 W. Jackson

Best known for breakfast, but also serves lunch.

Their own maple syrup.

Burger & fries for lunch

Thanks, Darita.  Great smile!

See the more descriptive human-type blog entries at our sister site  here.

Route 66 Road Trip - Going, Going...

To begin their Route 66 Mother Road trip, the Troll family had to get from Arkansas to the route starting point in Chicago.

The Troll Family & their good friend Traveling Eeyore
are ready for the trip to begin. Chicago here we come!

Made it to Missouri.

Supper at the Sonic Drive-in, Anna, Illinois.

End of travel day 1 - Fairfield Inn, Marion, Illinois.
Tomorrow, Chicago!

See the more descriptive human-type blog entries at our sister site here.