We're Off!

Our journey began yesterday about 1:30pm from the Grand Haven library where we stopped to drop off a book I was cramming to finish before we left. We had planned to leave early in the morning but were delayed due to a rescheduled dental appointment.

We stopped at the Cabela's in Hammond, Illinois to purchase a Mace Pepper Gun and cartridges to use for self- defense (if we ever meet an angry bear or "bad guy" out in the middle of nowhere in the remote spots we get ourselves into:) It was the first time I've ever been in a Cabela's. It's a BIG place! Mark was in hunter mode, in a hurry to locate and bag the prize catch. I, on the other hand, was ambling along, wide-eyed, taking in all the animals (really cool stuffed animals . . . everywhere). There was even a bear killing a deer . . . I didn't know bears attack deer . . .

Near Dwight, Illinois we took our first jog off the highway onto a portion of Historical Route 66 and stopped at an old restored 1933 Texaco Gas Station that's listed on the National register as Ambler's Texaco. There was another couple there also taking pictures.

1933 Texaco on Historic Rte 66 in Dwight, Illinois

A little further on in Odell, Illinois we found another registered 1932 Standard Station and ran into the same couple again. We found out they are from Connecticut and are exploring Route 66 all the way to Las Vegas to visit their son. I wonder if we will run into them again.

1932 Standard Station (listed on the National Register)

After only 249 miles we found the Walmart in Pontiac, Illinois and decided to stop for the night at 8:30/7:30 their time, so Mark could rest his eyes. His right eye was blurry and hurting. Since his Lasik surgery in August he still has problems with it as the day progresses and his eyes get tired. I couldn't take over driving because I had one of my too frequent (lately) headaches.

We had a cozy, comfy night in the Walmart parking lot:)

 

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