Day 16 - 'Chicago Blues'
It might have been one of hundreds of songs written about the iconic American city nestled on the southern most shores of Lake Michigan but our Eastbound Down Under On Route 66 tour has been suffering the the blues after arriving in the city, infamous for gangsters like Bugsy Malone and Al Capone.
The final day started with a walk down memory lane in Towanda to celebrate the eight states and more we have travelled through over the last two or so weeks.
A Pontiac Museum in Pontiac would have to be expected but there was heaps of R66 nostalgia there also as we grabbed a last snap with the cars that have become our home away from home.
In Odell the highlight was helping the local city boys spray the new paint on the Historic 66 road marking... we're really starting to feel part of the team!
Phil and Debbie Becker certainly made us feel at home in Dwight, opening up the old gas station especially and then showing us the very best in Hot Rods you can find in the USA.
Together they've trailered their '32 Ford from coast to coast, over 120,000 miles winning Best of Shows regularly and also snaring the Grand Champion Hot Rod title.
Like so many on the mother road listening to Phil and Debbie is infectious and an easy distraction into middle America.
Down the road is the Polka Dot Drive In and we gobbled what will probably (maybe hopefully) be our last cheese burger on this trip. Mind you the verdict was pretty positive about the quality of this one!
The towering Giant Muffler Man (ironically carrying a rocket this time!) still lingers in Wilmington but the diner nearby is deserted, but for a for sale sign.
We ventured into the White Fence Farm for the first time, a restaurant, cum farm animal, cum museum complex from another era that's begs the question why?
But then so much of America's Main Street is the same and perhaps we'll never really know the reason why so many are attracted to it.
The final run into Chicago is highlighted by traffic and traffic cops... the local boys stopping as we reassembled to stay together, heading into peak hour to The End! They kindly blocked three lanes of the main drag to ensure we got safe passage, but not before making it clear that both the boys on board the patrol car were Mustang fanatics and appreciated what we were doing!
Tubbed, and fueled our steads were finally deposited into a downtown car park for the final time for this crew, in readiness for part two of the tour.
Tomorrow is a day when those leaving will meet those arriving... there's sure to be some stories to tell and a few tips to share.
