Route 66 -Springfield to Rolla

We awoke in Springfield to another glorious morning.  This big rig was parked right by us. It is typical of the hundreds and hundreds of trucks we pass (and they pass us) on these highways We haven't struck one unfriendly driver or trucker, everyone is polite to the extreme and always allow you in if changing lanes or wanting to pass. I am not looking forward to having to deal with NZ traffic again. . First stop was the local Harley dealership (more t shirts and badges. This was a good call as it turned out to be right on old Route 66 and we met the owner who told us about a really important stop on 66 just down the road - Bill Shea's (Originally Mahon's) Garage. We headed there and what a great place. Old Bill Shea opened his first garage with his father back in the 30's. Overtime he has collected meorabillia from all round 66 and the old garage is now a private museum. As we pulled up there was on old guy just sitting there in the shade. Turned out he was Bill Shea. He introduced us to his collection and shared his memories of "The Mother Road" with us. It was very special. A World War 2 veteran, he landed at UTah Beach on D Day and watched his good friends die along side of him. He was a great guy, and we are pleased we took time out to go there. You cannot buy this sort of  stuff.

This leg of the trip was really interesting. The sign posts indicated what part of the Old Route you were on and the different ages of various parts of the road. Some of this leg also showed us how they had let the old four lane part degenerate by only maintaining two lanes.. It was interesting riding along knowing that there were two more lanes beside you, now overgrown.

All along this road you see desterted homes an businesses that remind you of the activity that must have gone on here. You find yourself thinking about the adventures people had, the happiness and the sadness. You see deserted cemetaries that are filled with those that lived and died in these remote places.

There are many contrasts as well. In the middle of nowhere you will find a fully restored site, but nothing to tell you about its significance, and no one for miles to tell you first hand. But restoration and recognition of the importance of this road is everywhere. We found the Route 66 State Park and Museum and that was another very interesting experience. It covers an area that previously had been a whole town that the Government turned up and shut one day because of toxic waste in the soil. Only in the USA. The museum itself was housed in a foamous roadside restaurant and had been beautifully maintained. We psuhed on through Cuba where we stopped for a beer and were told about a great biker bar in the next town called "The Tater Patch". We pushed on and found ourselves in Rolla at sunset. It was beautiful. We enquired as to where the Tater Patch might be and were pleased to find it was just round the corner from where we were staying. What a great night - a few beers - a plate of ribs - and getting to know the locals. One in particular took a fancy to me but that is a story in itself.  Tomorrow Tulsa and as close to Oklahoma City as we can get.