Hello, MO

We continue our trip westward following Route 66. We left Atlanta, Illinois and made our way through Missouri. We stopped off for a treat from Uranus Fudge Factory. We were thrilled to get a room at Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri. It’s one of the few original motor courts from the iconic Route 66 heyday.

Hotel morning

We stayed in Trail Inn last night. It’s a small, clean and modern hotel in Atlanta, Illinois. The water pressure in the shower was tremendous. I got a shower and a neck massage at the same time. It was hard to get out.

Breakfast

Yesterday when Tony spoke to Bill at the American Giants Museum, Bill mentioned that the Country Aire Restaurant was planning to add a female giant at their location. The rumor is, she will be dressed as a waitress and holding a pie. Because, among their delicious menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they are known for their pie. Upon entering, we saw the display counter and nearly decided to skip real food and just eat pie for breakfast. 

We resisted, though. 

Somehow. 

Breakfast was really good. Our server was “Jenny-on-the-spot.” The service was excellent. Tony got his favorite, pancake in place of toast. I had the chicken fried steak. 

We conversed with coupled at tables on both sides of us. The town is very friendly. And we felt like we were the only people in there who weren’t regulars. 

Rest area shenanigans

I was ready for a pit stop near Waggoner, Illinois. We pulled into the Coalfield Rest Area. On the way in, I giggled at the extra “art” on the dog area sign. Someone had added google eyes to the human and the dog, plus eyebrows and a mouth on the human. 

Miles of Missouri

Today’s route took us the rest of the way through southern Illinois, then almost all the way through Missouri. We marveled over the construction of the Gateway Arch as we passed through Saint Louis into Missouri. Would you ride the tramway to the top? I might, but Tony never would. 

We followed Route 66, though we stayed on the larger roads to make better time. Some day, we will have all the time we want.We will follow every section of the old road that we can possibly find. And we will stop at every historic, nostalgic attraction. This, sadly, is not that trip. As with the past couple of days, though, we could probably have gone further but we really wanted to stay in a vintage Route 66 motel. Therefore, our goal for the day was Carthage Missouri.

Wally’s, revisited

Well, visited for the first time. Yesterday we passed the town of Pontiac, and saw a travel stop called Wally’s. I learned that we would pass the other one today, so we planned our first stop. Wally’s slogan is “Home of the American Road Trip.” I can see it.

Wally’s has a bunch of gas pumps and a large store. In the restroom are a lot of stalls. The women’s room was really clean, and there was someone cleaning when I walked in. Tony said the men’s room must have been next on the list. It was not dirty, but it wasn’t as clean as Buc-Ees bathrooms always are. It must have been as empty as the women’s though, because he took a short video. I won’t share that. But I will share the photo I took. Each wash station was a faucet with water, soap, and air. 

We wandered around looking at all the snacks, drinks, and food items. We filled our coffee mugs for the afternoon. We picked brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, cheesy tots, and I got an iced tea. Tony went to the soda fridge and found a delicious Fitz’s cream soda. 

Whereas Buc-Ees has a large section of home decor, Wally’s has a lot of outdoor and camping gear. Plus, they have parking for larger vehicles. They weren’t nearly as crowded as every Buc-Ees I’ve even been in. That’s a big win in my book.

I asked if they had an affiliation with Winnebago, because there was a lot of Winnebago presence. The staff told me the owner just likes Winnebago, and actually anything that starts with the letter W. There was also a Wagoneer on display by the gas pumps.  

Fudge Packers

We cannot pass up a stop at Uranus Fudge Factory. We must stop every time we pass though the area. Whether we buy fudge or not, we still like the silliness and kitch of the signs, employees, and souvenirs declaring “the best fudge comes from Uranus!” 

There were a lot of people in Uranus. We have never seen so many people in Uranus at one time. The fudge packers were digging furiously into the wares of Uranus. Yeah, the entire experience was just like that. 

Uranus has been growing since we first discovered it. The ice cream shop is now open, as well as the sideshow museum. They are cramming a lot into Uranus, though their website is poop at telling you about the attractions other than the fudge shop. 

While Uranus is expanding, Uranus also suffered a heavy blow - literally. A recent wind storm tore up Uranus. Including, apparently, decapitating the Mayor. Who, by the way, is another of Mark Cline’s Muffler Men. I tell ya, we find them everywhere!

When we pulled out of Uranus, we made a beeline for Carthage, Missouri.

Boots Court Motel

The Boots Court is one of the original motor courts. Boots Court originally opened in 1939 in Carthage Missouri. Tony and I have been fascinated by the iconic Route 66 buildings, neon, and kitch. When we passed through Carthage on our original Route 66 journey, we spent time drooling over the streamline moderne architecture which we both adore. Back then the motel wasn’t open. We are so happy that it has been renovated, and that the current owners continue to make improvements in keeping with its vintage. 

These renovated rooms are still very basic. There is no fridge or microwave. The shower isn’t huge. It’s appointed very much like it was in the 1940s and 1950s. We often marvel at the “missing” amenities. Still, we need to keep in mind that when places like this were new and thriving, they were considered first-rate. Back then, air conditioning and refrigerators where’t common in hotels, and microwaves weren’t even invented!

I mean, there is a shower. Let’s not wonder how anyone washed the shampoo out of their hair with the shower head being so low. Tony can easily rinse his beard, though!

Cajun food in Carthage Missouri

When we checked into the Boots motor court, next door at the visitor center, Jeremy recommended a cajun restaurant that is in walking distance.

I mean, it was if it wasn’t 90 degrees and 60 percent humidity. Plus, Jeremy told us about another attraction we wanted to visit after dinner, and it’s a few miles out of town. So we drove.

So, it really isn’t just a cajun restaurant. Roscoe’s Bar & Grill is a really nice - well - bar and grill. It was opened in honor of Louisiana native David (DG), who was the human companion to the black lab named Roscoe. DG always wanted a bar and restaurant named after Roscoe, so his family made that happen in his memory. 

In addition to an extensive menu, which we can only assume is as delicious as the house-made boudin balls and the shrimp étouffée, Roscoe’s also has a beer list that includes Purple Haze from Abita Springs Brewery in Louisiana, and Tank 7 from Boulevard, a Missouri brewery introduced to us by Grace and Tony when we were in Macon and Bevier. Tony had a couple of Purple Hazes. Also, because we are struggling to button our pants, we both started with salad, and we shared the étouffée.  

Red Oak II

Jeremy also told us about the neighborhood of Red Oak II. We drove out there, and again passed up a chance at walking around. This darn heat makes me so lazy! 

This non-ghost town is part neighborhood and part art installation. The artist moved buildings from his home town of Red Oak, which had dried up, and set them outside of Carthage, creating Red Oak II. 

We drove around the loop of the neighborhood, taking lots of pictures and being amused by some of the art in the yards. It looks like just a tourist attraction. And it is a tourist attraction. However, each of the buildings at Red Oak II are privately-owned, and many are residences. So if you visit, please respect their privacy. 

Sleepy Time

Back at the Boots, I sat down to the computer while Tony wandered around meeting our temporary neighbors. The couple he visited with are locals, and just decided to check out the place for the night. We call that a stay-cation.

We have a long trip planned tomorrow, so now it’s time for rest.