What a day on the Mother Road! We left Springfield and decided to follow the 1926-1930 alignment through Chatham, Auburn, Thayer, Virden, Girard, Nilwood, Carlinville, and Gillespie. It is not the popular alignment, but Mike and I really love the old alignments and the “dog legs” referenced in Jerry McClanahan’s EZ 66 Guide. They did not disappoint! We drove the original brick alignment on Snell and Curren Road, found the “Turkey Tracks” on Donaldson Road and drove the famous “Deerfield Loop” between Carlinville and Gillespie.
We had to be at the Ariston Café in Litchfield for noon because I had a little surprise for Mike. One of our best friends, Tim, who lives in Tennessee, drove out to meet us and it was a wonderful surprise for Mike. It is hard to keep a secret, but worth it! “The Three Amigos” had a great lunch at the Ariston! It was pouring when we reached Mt Olive and the Soulsby Shell Station, but it let up by the time we got to Henry’s Rabbit Ranch. Rich Henry is a class act, and friends with many people who have helped me plan this trip (that especially means you Joe and Josh!). We spent almost an hour there and we met a rabbit named Elvis…….Thank you very much!!! Rich told me there is a good chance I may be able to DRIVE across the Chain of Rocks Bridge on June 25! Thanks to Rich for keeping the spirit of the Mother Road alive!
We took 66 from Staunton to Mitchell and the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Pictures just don’t do it justice. While on the bridge, we met a family going cross country on bicycles. They started in Texas and are going to Washington DC. I thought we had a long trip! We finished the day with some pork sandwiches at the Luna Café on Chain of Rocks Road. Although the Luna is more of a bar than a café, the hosts and the regulars were very friendly and the food was good. Besides, Al Capone used to hang there!!! Tomorrow it’s on to Saint Louis and Missouri 66!
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