Day 3

                Missouri was not nearly as bad as yesterday. We started the day out by hopping back on the road after some waffles and headed out into the hills. The first old car that we saw was a 70's Triumph Spitfire sitting in a field, and that really opened the floodgates for car spotting. Over the course of the day  we saw old muscle cars and rundown fifties cars all along the road. I think that we saw at least three 1963 Impalas. Today was the first day we saw rundown and deserted old buildings along the road. Everything in Illinois had either been restored or taken down and the first half of Missouri had nothing. We saw abandoned  gas stations and old stone buildings with trees growing in them. Sadly, we were forced to go through some big towns with large signs and commercialism that spanned as far as the eye could see. We both wanted nothing more than to break free and experience the realness and security of the open road.  The big towns were worth it though because we were repaid for our troubles with bit of road called Devil's Elbow. Devil's Elbow was four miles of twisty roads and old buildings and bridges. The only reason that this place stands out is because we drove on the original roadbed. Most of the road is gone or recovered with new asphalt so it was cool to drive on the original. We ran into two restored gas stations but sadly no interesting antique shops. My father and I were talking about how Paul McCartney did this road and we theorized that he probably did it to see the real America. Route 66 was about making money back in the day;  today it is something sentimental. Route 66 is one of the last symbols of Neon America and people try to cling to that. Dusty is good and the car is running well. Finally, we saw an old Z28 for sale by the road and I thought that it would be a cool car to own. The thing is though, I would never trade my car. I have never had to live with it before this trip and it has not let me down. It is solidifying a place in my heart and I hope to have it for many years to come.    

Facts Known By Few: Lester Dill offered his Meramec Caverns (which are road side caves) to the government as a haven from atomic blasts. He said it was the safest bomb shelter in the world.

Two Favorite Songs:

1.       Mainstreet Bob Seger

2.       Trouble Coldplay

Favorite Food: Dickeys Barbeque