Well, contrary to some expectations, I made it to my motel in Springfield, IL just before 6 pm—right on schedule! The traffic, surprisingly, was a breeze compared to the chaos of the 401. Aside from a few construction zones, the journey was smooth.
That said, I did notice a couple of quirks on the road: it seems that using your turn signals is more of a suggestion here, and some drivers have fully embraced the "leisurely" lifestyle by cruising in the passing lane at 55 mph on a 70 mph highway. But hey, it made for an interesting cultural experience!
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| Michigan's Welcoming Committee |
Made the 742 miles on fewer than two tanks of gas—an achievement! Even better, the cost of those two fill-ups combined was less than a single tank back home. Gotta love road trip economics.
Shortly after turning south onto I-55, just west of Gary, Indiana, I managed to connect with Route 66. It was a nostalgic sight—parts of the original road are still visible, now with flowers sprouting from the cracks, running right beside the newer (if you can call it “newer”) road, both just yards from I-55.
Route 66 took me through a little hamlet called “Somebody,” which, to my surprise, seems to be thriving. A couple of original buildings are still standing, including two gas stations—one lovingly restored and the other left as a weathered relic of the past.
Tomorrow, south of Springfield, I’m expecting to encounter more poignant examples of Route 66’s faded glory. Can’t wait to see what history has in store!
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| First Encounter |
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| The Very Old and Old |
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| The Old vs The New |
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