One of the many novel ideas for lodging along the way.This one is much improved since the guide book pictures, partly due to donations from Route 66 travellers.

Meramec River Tuesday evening

The weather started out foggy and 5C but by this evening we enjoyed sunshine and 23C. We camped near Meramec Caverns, right beside the river. Played one game of Scrabble which of course Bob won. We won’t need the heater, it’s very pleasantly warm and only a little breezy. There are only a couple other campsites occupied, so it’s really lovely and quiet

Wednesday April 8.

Meramec River Wednesday morning

Stopped at the Wagon Wheel Motel first thing this morning for pictures. Too bad it wasn’t night-time, it would have been a treat to stay in one of these sweet little cottages

. Route 66 took us to Devil’s Elbow where we got a close up look at a redbud tree. The view from the road was pretty nice too. We poked around a bit in Springfield MO and actually found an open quilt shop! I started my trip collection of fat quarters here.

 This Tower Theatre was preserved in the middle of the same strip mall. We’ve seen all manner of renovation and conservation of the various Route 66 buildings. Some have been allowed to disintegrate where they stand while other have been repurposed or at least maintained to reflect their former glory.

Blue whale picnic area –Catoosa, Oklahoma

We approached Tulsa OK in the late afternoon so we were able to witness (and of course, photograph) some of the neon, both preserved and current. We enjoyed the Tulsa skyline at sunset as well.