Day 7 - Cuba to Carthage

My worst night since we got here. Unlikely that can be blamed on the period accommodation, more likely on the bleedin' train going through at eff knows what hour. They can't just sneak through quietly, oh no, they blaze through, horn blaring out.

Anyway, Day 7 began, pretty much as all the others. Sunny and warming up nicely.  First stop was just a few miles down the road, at the Fanning Outpost. Here sits or should I say rocks?, the largest rocking chair in the world, at 40 feet high. Photos taken, we heard the whistle of a goods train, so waited for it to pass. And waited and waited! Excluding the three engines pulling it, this train was 91 carriages/trucks long. The driver gave us a wave as we took pictures or sound in Catherine's case!

Big Rocker. Catherine just visible.

On we went, making stops to view the Pulaski Courthouse in Waynesville, the now closed to traffic, Gasconade River Bridge and the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon. We had planned a stop at the Lebanon library/ R66 museum but being Sunday, this was closed. Onward to the Meremac painted barns, a 1925 bridge to an interesting stop at Marshfield. Marshfield is the one time home of famed astronomer Edwin Hubble, after whom the Hubble telescope is named. There is a scale model sited in the town square, in his memory.

As we made our way towards Springfield, the second on our trip, I caught sight of some Harleys in the car park of a Smokehouse restaurant. Along with them, was the California Sunriders van. Making a u-turn we parked up and surprised Gary, as we came round the corner! We spent a short while with him, chatting to him and his touring party, the Plymouth HOG group. Catherine filmed them as they left the car park, 17 bikes and we were shortly back on the road after them. We'll not see them again, as they won't stop as frequently and are doing more miles per day. It was good to catch up with Bear again, on his home turf.

On into Springfield we made a stop at a Best Western motor court, the Route 66 Rail Haven Motel, a fully restored and operational motel, before seeking out the Gilloz theatre in the centre of town. I'm not going into too much detail on these things. If you want more info, Google will easily provide you with what you want to know.

After Springfield we made a stop at Gary's Gay Parita or the Sinclair Service Station. This is now closed, as Gary Turner sadly passed away a few months back. By all accounts he was a very friendly chap and would call you in and offer you free soda, whilst he told you of his many years alongside Route 66. A couple of 1920s bridges later and a stop by Kellogg Lake just outside Carthage and we were parked in front of the Boots Court Motel, our room for the night.

And what a room. Restored to 1949 spec, this once put up Clark Gable! How's that for history? Fair to say Catherine liked this one better than the Wagon Wheel. Having been given a potted history by the manageress Deb and instructions on where to eat, we took a stroll into the town square. The courthouse, is apparently, the second most photographed structure in Missouri, after the Gateway Arch. The clock tower, was the model for the one in the Back to the Future films, cue Catherine "hey Marty"!

Carthage Courthouse

Deb had recommended a place called the Sirloin Stockade for our dinner. Now I grant you, this doesn't sound like a place too suitable for a veggie but they do a mean buffet there, so Catherine was well catered for. As she wasn't having any meat, they charged for a kids meal, though I'm sure she ate more than a kid would have, in salads and puddings. Another night where she has been satisfied with her meal. The place, was, as you might expect, very popular. Yanks love their food and eat as much as you like must seem like they have died and gone to heaven. The way some of them are going, that won't be that long, as we saw four morbidly obese women in that restaurant and a couple of massive blokes too. What do you expect for $10 though?

 We filled the car up again, so we are ready to go first thing. Just over $23, for 11 something gallons. Fuel consumption has gone up to 27mpg and my little display shows a little trophy for ECO mode! Well done Neill ;-)

Tomorrow, only 24 hours away, we'll be in Tulsa.  Join us then, for more of our adventures.