The yearly voyage to see the boys of summer for most of the Midwest play started just as the sun was starting its own day. Taking the fast track from Northern Illinois to Southwestern Illinois and the Metro-St. Louis Area, the trip started along the paths as many from around the world, using the historic U.S. 66 corridor.
A southbound Union Pacifc just before sun-rise near Dwight, IL.
There were few stops along the way. Gas at Normal, IL, A streatch and the ability to retrive a Peoria Journal-Star, Bloomington-Normal Panagraph, and a copy of the Springfield State Journal-Register, at Lincoln, IL, then a required stop for a long awaited meal from Jack in the Box at Litchfield, IL. The first tourist stop along the journey was a place along this journey was the National Transportation Museum. Using the Interstate 255 by-pass in the Metro-East of St. Louis one gets to see part of the areas rich and long history of the settlements built into the road side. The Illinois Department of Transportation has long had the "Bird Man" tablet in many of the bridge approached along Interstate 255.
The Birdman tablet was discovered in 1971, during excavations at the base of the eastern side of Monks Mound, conducted by the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. This is an extremely accurate facsimile, produced from a second generation mold of the original sandstone artifact.
Archaeologist theorize that the bird of prey on the front of the tablet symbolically represents the Upper World. The Middle World (of man) is represented by the human figure wearing the costume, and the Lower World is represented by the snake skin pattern found on the back of the tablet.
Information from the Cahokia Mounds State Historical Site
SB I-255/WB U.S. 50 at the Illinois/Missouri State Line.
The late morning was spent at the National Museum of Transportation on the southwest side of the St. Louis Metro Area. This place has been a favorite place to visit of many decades. It is home to old planes, boats, trains, and automobiles. Well worth a trip to walk thought the buildings and outside displays.
The automboile displays containts many old classic cars from over the past 100 years. Many were built in the St. Louis Area, including the Moon's.
An old delivery vechicle for the A.J. Debrect Market. A 1923 Moon. A 1917 Dorris. A 1963 Chrysler. A 1941 Cadillac. A 1957 Chevrolet. A 1906 Ford. A 1920 Milk Wagon. A railroad display inside an old depot. Some of the railroad cars outside. Chicago & Illinois Midland engine 551. A model train display inside the visitor center.
After walking around in the late morning and mid-afternoon heat of St. Louis, it was time for a refreshing break and treat. That took us back north along Historic U.S. Rt. 66 to Ted Drew's. Here a nice cool treat of a Marshmallow-Chocolate Concrete Custard was enjoyed.
Ted Drew's Frozen Custard on U.S. Rt. 66 in St. Louis, MO.
Now it was time to head to our hotel for check-in, clean up then head towards this evenings activities at a Cardinal's game.
Back to State #1...Illinois!!
NB I-55/IL 3; EB I-64 at the Illinois/Missouri State Line.
The hotel for the night was a new one for us, due to an unprofessional desk cleark at our normal accommodations in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The folks at Durry Inn made us feel welcomed in Collinsville, Illinois. After we got cleaned up it was time to head to the Metrolink and board at the Fairview Heights station to head to downtown St. Louis.
Back to State #2!!...Missouri...
This years games was in a new part of the stadium. Tickets were cheap from a one day sale back in February. It was a standard hot steamy St. Louis evening along the Mississippi River.
The view for this evenings game. The matchup.
Once the game was complete it was time to head back to the hotel for the evening.
Back to State #1...Illinois!!...
Once back to the car from the train, it was a late night stop at Mc Donald's then into the hotel for the night.
