Saturday 05 Sept - Chicago - Bloomington
The traditional start of the "mother road" is at the corner of Lakeshore and Adams and this meant a rude awakening as we guided our Electra Glide along 290 towards the towering city skyline and the downtown area in what seems to be some kind nutters race. A quick photo op outside the Art gallery and it was off heading west towards the pacific ocean 2,400 miles away.No 66 start could be complete without a stop at the quirky Chicago institution "Lou Mitchells Diner".The route out of city brings you through the former gangster strongholds like Cicero which even today has a decided run down and sinister feel.
Once out of the city the route truly opens up and you find yourself in prinstine farmland where all the worlds corn must be grown!!The traditional route from 1926 follows various "alignments" and the 50's stretch can be seen for much of the road after Dwight which proclaims itself to be the "greatest little town in America".The state of Illinois is justly proud of its connection with 66 and signposts are a plenty as they guide you through such gems as Odel "the smallest town with the biggest heart" with its imaculately preserved gas station.
A scene that will repeat itself for much of the route see's the railroad tracks on one side with a frantic highway on the other both of which seem to add to the calm as you are the only vechicle for miles as you head towards Bloomington.As a great 66'er friend in Ireland told us "let the road rise to meet you" this first taste of the route has certainly done that. Tomorrow see's us head to Lincoln country and Springfield.