Route 66

Reviving Nostalgia Along The Mother Road – Iggy’s Diner

Cruising the path of the old Route 66 led us through the heart of Carthage, Missouri. As we pass the normal mix of fast-food restaurants and corporate businesses, we spot a gleaming silver shape ahead. Positioned on a frontage space, which has since been converted to a traffic circle, we spot Iggy’s Diner. The stainless …

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A petticoat made from an American flag welcomed the Union soldiers in Carthage.

War Out West – Battle of Carthage Museum

Conflict along the Missouri state line had been occurring throughout the second half of the 1850s. Far away in the East, the political battles were raging. After John Brown’s unsuccessful raid on Harper’s Ferry, some believed that signaled the end to the threat from the west. Little would anyone expect that the first significant land …

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A replica of an old filling station holds lots of nostalgia for visitors to the Route 66 Museum.

Route 66 Museum – Lebanon, Missouri

Few highways have captured the American spirit like Route 66. This nostalgic thoroughfare has been dubbed “The Mother Road” and “Main Street of America”. With 2,448 miles of open road, it led travelers from Chicago to Los Angeles. Along the way, drivers would find iconic stops to satisfy just about every need. This famous path …

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Places like Wrick's Market have stood the test of time along Route 66.

Test Of Time – Route 66 Local Love

Midwesterners have had a long love affair with the open road. While there are many wonderful destinations scattered across the region, often one is faced with a significant drive. The invention of roads helped make travel more feasible and shortened the time needed to move from point to point. One of our favorite thoroughfares to …

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You can imagine the juvenile jokes in store for us during a visit to Uranus, Missouri.

Juvenile Jokes Galore – Uranus, Missouri

Route 66 explorers are always on the lookout for iconic stops. The Mother Road has been a fascination for decades and too many of the original attractions have deteriorated by the wayside. These days, a journey along one of America’s first highways can turn into a treasure hunt that brings a mixed bag of rewards. …

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The Uranus Sideshow Museum is a throwback to carnival days of the early 1900s.

Uranus Sideshow Museum – Throwback To Carnival Days

Rolling down Route 66 in rural Missouri brought us to the pun-filled destination of Uranus, Missouri. Among the variety of commercial attractions is the Uranus Sideshow Museum. This place is a throwback to carnival days of old. While my only memories are of small versions at rural locations, there are certain things that I can …

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Crystal reflects over a cup of coffee during our 24 hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

24 Hours in Weatherford, Oklahoma

Picture yourself cruising down the highway. A warm breeze blowing in the window as the miles of pavement roll by under your tires. Each new town and city brings another chance to explore the wonders of Americana. This is just the kind of experience you get when traveling along the path of the old Route …

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Visitors to the Stafford Air & Space Museum will find themselves taking a walk through the history of air travel.

6 Reasons To Visit The Stafford Air & Space Museum

For centuries people dreamed of taking flight. Watching the birds soaring through the air seemed to offer the freedom to explore life from a new perspective. While the invention of hot air balloons and gliders allowed glimpses into this new world, it was powered flight that would forever change the way that humans travel. During …

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Patrons find themselves calling all Route 66 lovers to join them at Lucille's Roadhouse in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Calling All Route 66 Lovers – Lucille’s Roadhouse

The Central United States is filled with a mixture of amazing destinations, although there can often be miles between stops. For decades, travelers have cruised the back-roads and highways that crisscross the country. One of the most iconic American highways was Route 66, which carried travelers from Chicago to Santa Monica. We love exploring the …

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You will find lots of locals at the restaurants we have listed in this Amarillo overview.

Dining On The Panhandle – Amarillo Eats

Can you imagine visiting a new destination and not trying out some of the local eateries? We always try to uncover those places that draw in the city’s residents, since they usually have some of the best dishes. During our trip to Amarillo, we had plenty of opportunities to sample a wide range of restaurants. …

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Travelers along Route 66 will find themselves playing in the Panhandle when they explore Amarillo, Texas.

Playing In The Panhandle – Amarillo Entertainment

When we are determining the first city to cover in a new state, we look for a place that offers something for all ages. After all, it’s not a family vacation destination, if it doesn’t appeal to everybody. Crystal and I have family in Texas but decided to start with a city far away from …

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this well-balanced meal had us going green for breakfast at Girasol Cafe & Bakery.

Going Green For Breakfast – Girasol Bakery

When we plan out our trips, it seems that breakfast can be some of the most difficult stops to pick. While we enjoy a good down-home breakfast as much as the next person, those types of places don’t make for very interesting articles. Since we want to offer plenty of options, finding an eatery that …

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The Amarillo Sod Poodles are the new game in town and a successful minor league baseball team.

The New Game In Town – Amarillo Sod Poodles

Baseball is often referred to as “America’s Favorite Pastime”. The crack of the bat, roar of the crowd, and feeling of camaraderie that come with a baseball game are hard to match. When we were offered an opportunity to attend a game during our visit to Amarillo, there was no way we were going to …

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An evening of comfortable elegance includes enjoying drinks at a fine dining establishment.

Comfortable Elegance – Public House Amarillo

It seems that our fast-paced travel style can get us burning tons of calories, which is a good thing. Our desire to feature plenty of local dining options always has us on the lookout for unique stops. Amarillo, Texas was filled with choices galore, but we wanted to make sure that we took a little …

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The expanse of Palo Duro Canyon is hard to fathom, even when standing on the rim.

Palo Duro Canyon – Millions Of Years In The Making

High in the Panhandle-Plains of Texas, people carve out a life from the rugged landscape. Driving across this flat terrain reminded us of traveling across the western half of our home state of Kansas. This perspective changed when we arrived at Palo Duro Canyon. Laid out before us we saw only glimpses of the 120-mile …

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As the darkness grows, the Texas logo appears on the canyon wall.

Texas-sized Fun at Texas Outdoor Musical

Everyone knows that they do things bigger in Texas. We discovered this also applies to their outdoor theater located in Palo Duro Canyon. After spending a day exploring the 2nd largest canyon in the United States, we made a visit to Texas Outdoor Musical. This long-running musical has played from June through August for over …

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Wonderland Park is bringing fun to the Panhandle of Texas.

Bringing Fun To The Panhandle – Wonderland Park

For almost seven decades, Wonderland Park has been bringing fun to the Panhandle. In the early ’50s, Paul and Alethea Roads traveled to Amarillo to look over some potential property where they might develop an amusement park. While their first impression was less than impressive, a second viewing opened their eyes to the potential. That …

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The brightly colored OKC Streetcar is easy to spot as you wait for a ride.

OKC Streetcar – Coloring A New Downtown

When we really think about it, Oklahoma City and Kansas City have a lot in common. Both are located in the heart of the country and filled with welcoming residents. They are located on the I-35 corridor, which bisects our nation. They are both transportation hubs and share a history associated with the cattle industry. …

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You can take a walk down memory lane at Sisemore Traveland RV Museum.

Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum – Revisiting Our Childhoods

Who remembers those summer camping trips from your youth? Those are memories that had been stored in a dusty file in the back of my brain. When we were in the planning stages of our Amarillo trip, we were looking for some unusual stops to add to the itinerary. Braley Hand, our contact at the …

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With a view of the state capitol in the background, the main gallery of the Oklahoma History Center has awe inspiring views.

Touching The Past – Oklahoma History Center

The idea of containing all of the history of a state in one location would be futile. Each one would be overflowing with a wealth of artifacts and information, that just couldn’t be gathered in one place. Of course, many of the state museums do a fantastic job at detailing a wide variety of the …

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A chuckwagon would have served as a mobile kitchen for ranch hands herding the cattle in the high plains of Texas.

Life In The Staked Plains – Panhandle Plains Historical Museum

This was our first visit to the southern High Plains region of Texas. With three days to explore, we planned on learning about the history of the region. The huge mesa that encompasses this portion of the high plains is actually named Llano Estacado. It is often translated as the Staked Plains. Using Amarillo as …

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Braceros Mexican Grill offers the perfect opportunity for getting your Tex-Mex fix on Route 66.

Tex-Mex Fix On Route 66 – Braceros Mexican Grill & Cantina

Some like it hot, but we prefer it to be flavor-packed. Amarillo, Texas is chocked full of intriguing dining options, so we knew our trip would be delicious. One of the reasons we chose Amarillo as our first Texas blogging city, was that it lies smack dab on Route 66. There is a section of …

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The brightly colored cars offer unique opportunity for budding artists.

Ever Changing Landscape – Cadillac Ranch

Traveling through the Texas Panhandle can bring with it some unusual sights. One of the most popular paths is to follow along the old Route 66, which passes through Amarillo. Just west of the city, we happened upon the Cadillac Ranch. This quirky art installation is visited by thousands of budding artists annually. The open …

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A water lily brings beauty to the landscape of the Amarillo Botanical Gardens, in Amarillo, Texas.

Peace In The Panhandle – Amarillo Botanical Gardens

How many of you find yourself moving at a faster pace during your vacations? It seems that we feel the clock ticking on our time away, and we want to pack it full of leisurely activities. By the time we return home, we feel like we need a vacation from our vacation. We have found …

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The Alibates Flint Quarries national Monument is a FREE attraction that will appeal to all ages.

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument – Digging The Past

When we planned our visit to Amarillo, there was an unusual stop that we wanted to catch, which lies north of the city. The Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument is the only park in Texas dedicated to preserving the quarries of the native peoples. The admission to the park is FREE and includes the beautiful …

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Cozy Dog Drive In is an iconic historic dining option in Springfield, Illinois.

Historic Dining Options In Springfield, Illinois

In every city we visit, we are able to uncover some amazing eats. Springfield, Illinois kicked it up a level by adding the historic aspect to many of our stops. Being the heart of the “Land of Lincoln”, as well as a Route 66 destination, made this city extra special. Our downtown stay gave us …

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Dinner at Obed & Isaac's was the beginning of an evening of horseshoes and ghost tales , in downtown Springfield, Illinois.

An Evening of Horseshoes and Ghost Tales

A visit to Springfield, Illinois is an opportunity to dive into the long history of this Midwestern region. With only three days to soak in as much as possible, we found ourselves bustling between stops. As we approached the end of our visit, we found ourselves facing our final day of exploration. With daylight burning, …

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Entering Springfield's Dana-Thomas House gave us a wonderful view of the interior.

Springfield’s Dana-Thomas House – A Treasure Saved

While we are not experts in architectural design, that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate beautiful designs. Springfield’s Dana-Thomas House gave us a chance to see one of the homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Unlike many of the homes Wright built from scratch, this home was a redesign. That small detail will come in play …

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A tray full of scrumptious food reminds us of road trips from our youth.

The Origin of Corn Dogs – Cozy Dog Drive In

A visit to Springfield, Illinois holds something for just about everyone in your travel crew. If you are a fan of road trips, then retracing the Mother Road (Route 66) will lead you straight through the heart of this Midwest city. Along the route, there are a variety of unique stops, like Cozy Dog Drive …

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If you want to have a historic visit to Springfield, Illinois, you will want to explore the Lincoln home and surrounding neighborhood.

Explore The Lincoln Home – A Springfield Treasure

A visit to Springfield, Illinois puts travelers in the heart of the Land of Lincoln. During your visit, you will find that all throughout the city there are reminders of our 16th President of the United States. One of the premier stops is the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. There is no entrance fee for …

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Crystal waits patiently while I get plenty of pictures of our visit to Maldaner's Restaurant.

Maldaner’s Restaurant – Lunch At A Local Landmark

Each year hundreds of restaurants start and fail. It takes dedication and consistency to build  a sustainable dining business. While some of the newcomers have unique menu offerings, we believe that tried and true eateries have developed a taste that appeals to a wide range of diners. Springfield, Illinois is home to a variety of …

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Wm. Van's Coffee House sits nearby the Lincoln home and offers views of the Illinois capital building.

Historic Break At Wm. Van’s Coffee House

Springfield, Illinois is a Midwestern city filled with historic houses. Being the hometown of the Abraham Lincoln family puts it squarely on the map of vacationers and history buffs alike. While some of the homes are available for tours, others can only be viewed from the outside. We found one that crossed the tourism-only line …

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A visit to Oklahoma City will give you plenty of opportunities to have a true Midwestern experience.

12 Top Experiences In Oklahoma City

When you hear the name Oklahoma, many people immediately think of the namesake musical. While farming and ranching still exists in much of the state, Oklahoma City has grown into a thriving metropolis. Our three day visit was chocked full of fun attractions, delicious dining, and unique shopping districts. This overview article highlights some of …

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Pops Restaurant is a local hot spot on Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma

Fueling Up On The Mother Road At Pops 66

There are lots of highways that criss-cross the Central U.S. One of our favorites is the old “Route 66”, which is also referred to as the “Mother Road”. This old school road has regained much of its popularity, as people from all over the world choose to travel on it. Running from Illinois to California, …

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11 Things That Make St. Louis The True Gateway City

One of the things we most enjoy about traveling is the people that we meet. By interacting with the residents, we get a better understanding of what drives them through their lives. Our extended stay in St. Louis, Missouri gave us an excellent chance to mingle with some of the locals, as well as observe …

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Sample The Flavors Of St. Louis Dining

For five years we ran a local restaurant blog, before moving into the travel arena. Through that time, we came to realize that every dining establishment has its redeeming values. Some may have more flavorful dishes, but they all have at least one that they excel with. The key to successful dining when traveling is …

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The City That Jack Built – Joplin, Missouri

Like many people, we are learning that there are lots of things to do in some of the medium sized cities. Our visit to Joplin, Missouri lasted just over 24 hours, but could have easily been extended to a full weekend. (We packed a lot into our timeline.) Joplin is a name that many have …

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What To Expect At The Joplin History Museum

When the name of Joplin, Missouri is mentioned, many will think immediately of the 2011 EF5 tornado that devastated portions of the city. Joplin is so much more than that. It has a rich history reaching back before the Civil War. We stopped in the Joplin Museum Complex to learn more about this southwestern Missouri …

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History-in-the-heartland-Baxter-Springs-Kansas-museum

Baxter Springs, Ks – History In The Heartland

Our visit to Baxter Springs, Kansas occurred during the Route 66 Instameet sponsored by Travel Kansas. This was the last stop of the day, so we decided to wander off to explore away from the beaten path. Just a couple blocks from our meeting point, we found the Baxter Springs Historical Museum. We have visited …

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