Thursday, September 01, 2005
Route 66 - First Day on the Road
4:00 AM, September 1, 2005. The starting gun has sounded, and we’re off! The car was successfully packed the night before, and the cat dropped off at kitty prison (the vet’s). $500.00 for room, board and shots, thank you very much.
First major stop, Cracker Barrel (still in Michigan) where we acquired our first souvenirs.
Then on into Illinois to Mother Jones Memorial. She was a crusader for the miner’s union, and is buried in a cemetery in front of a memorial to them. The political Mother Jones magazine is named after her.
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch on old Route 66 near St. Louis was next, complete with live rabbits and old Rabbit cars. We were met by Montana, the greeter bunny, and received a personally autographed (gnawed) brochure.
Arrived in St. Louis around 4:00 PM. Not a bad ride. Car held up well and so did we! We checked in at Hampton at the Arch, then went out for the evening with Becky from NAM (North American Motoring, the North American MINI Club). We went to a very good local Italian restaurant just up the street. Later, she took us to Ted Drew’s Frozen Custard on historic Route 66. Really great custard, the place was packed. 
First major stop, Cracker Barrel (still in Michigan) where we acquired our first souvenirs.
In Highland (Gary) Indiana while pumping relatively cheap gas, we met Leo and his wife and got several great tips on things to see on our trip.
Then on into Illinois to Mother Jones Memorial. She was a crusader for the miner’s union, and is buried in a cemetery in front of a memorial to them. The political Mother Jones magazine is named after her.
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch on old Route 66 near St. Louis was next, complete with live rabbits and old Rabbit cars. We were met by Montana, the greeter bunny, and received a personally autographed (gnawed) brochure.
Arrived in St. Louis around 4:00 PM. Not a bad ride. Car held up well and so did we! We checked in at Hampton at the Arch, then went out for the evening with Becky from NAM (North American Motoring, the North American MINI Club). We went to a very good local Italian restaurant just up the street. Later, she took us to Ted Drew’s Frozen Custard on historic Route 66. Really great custard, the place was packed. # posted by Unknown @ 11:40 PM 
