Rae & Nev on Route 66 - May 2012: On The Road - Day 3

8th May, 2012

Today its going to be an easy drive. The Plains are lush and healthy grass wavering in the breeze. unexpectedly up pops Henry's Rabbit Ranch at Staunton, so with a major slow down and a quick turn around we pull in. There are masses of Volkswagen Rabbits. There are 6 magnificent Harley's parked out front and inside are a bunch of tall, leathered bikers all geared up in their Route 66 shirts and jackets. They are from Slovakia and are having fun in the gift shop. There are real rabbits, there are rabbit statues, there are real rabbit grave sites and a massive rabbit statue in the yard next door. Cars everywhere!

We are very close to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, one of our priorities today. Although the St Louis spaghetti roads look daunting to me, Nev assures me he has it all worked out. A photo must is the Luna Cafe in Mitchell. This is Al Capone territory. This cafe has quite a history of gangsters, gambling and ladies of the night. Their presence was announced by the lighting of the cherry on the neon sign. And there it was - right on cue, and there were a couple of guys trying to hang route 66 signs on the pole as we pulled in to take a photo. All done and off.

We are close to the Bridge. We follow the directions easily, we are good. Nev comments that it was strange that his instincts wanted to turn right when we had signs that said turn left, but we followed the signs. Pleased with ourselves, but no bridge in sight we keep driving when suddenly the Luna Cafe pops up again - on the other side of the road. Yes we had done a 4 mile scenic trip. So another photo of the Luna Cafe, now with her Route 66 signage almost completed and turn back to have another attempt.

Eventually we followed Nev's original instincts and came to a parking area with more walking to get to the bridge with a bend. Finally there it is in all its glory. The Chain of Rocks Ship Canal Bridge (1929) One mile long with 22 degree bend. the castle looking towers are intakes for St Louis water supply. The Illinois/Missouri state line is marked in the centre of the bridge with a pair of US 66 state shields.

We run into the guys from Slovakia once again and take their photo on the vintage fire engine stationed on the bridge.

We have walked many miles now and need to try out Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard - next priority. Its time to plug the address into the GPS - yes cheating again! Well coincidently we find ourselves on Route 66 very quickly and proceed way over the other side of St Louis and now have to make an unffair choice of which concrete to order - way too many flavours to chose from. So we take the easy way out and order one of their specials. Its warm today so we sit out on the seats provided and tackle these monster delights. Very good. We need more walking.

Now to find out accommodation - another Hampton Inn but close to the Arch. Checked in and off again - more walking, I am too old for all this! Off down to the beautiful park, into the Arch and up we go. Tucked into a little pod with two big guys. 4 minutes up and 3 minutes down - plenty long enough to give me the shivers.