Road tripping the $15K Tesla: Pt.5

 If you missed the beginning, it's HERE!!

Day 14: Rain? What rain? We're Oregonians.

So that makes it mildly ironic that the day was shortened from just being tired rather than rained out.
Which, to be fair, was the impression from the previous day's forecast. Yes there were occasional mild showers but nothing serious or long lasting, and it never actually rained on us while we were outside.

Sense-of-scale is kind of lacking here. It's a long walk to that arch from here.

The original plan had us spending our 'rest day in St Louis' going through the St Louis Zoo followed by the Museum and displays (all redone since 2018) at the Gateway Arch Park. A small glimpse of the Mississippi might follow. Projected rainfall around 9:AM switched the batting order.

One of the walks in.

We backtracked a bit and rejoined Route 66 now in progress. Same commercial strip feel as the R66 section of any larger town. 300,000 in this case. As we got through nearer the downtown area (quite nice to all appearances) there were lots of brick row-houses from -way- back that were almost all in amazingly good shape.

We turned in to the designated parking structure for the park. A two block walk and we're at the scene above. Nary a raindrop. 

Behind the seated fellow (above) is the underground entrance to the ticketing office the gift shop, restaurant and down a couple levels, an enormous Museum and Interpretive Center.

Being on a weekday morning the place was swarming with school kids, and teachers practicing catch-and-release....Field Trip Central. And you can see from how many of the displays are arranged and presented, and some of the questions asked there-in that those kids are one of the more important targets of the entire center.
They seemed to do a pretty evenhanded juggling of the Spanish, French, Native, U.S. and many races involved. Not a 'single narrative' style. Lots of history of the area and Mississippi River traffic and the coming of the steamboats, then railroads. And of course 'Manifest Destiny.'  Was President Polk in the right? It's presented as an open question. A far cry from some H.S.Textbooks.  Many of the displays and almost-walk-in dioramas were exceedingly well done. Captivating enough that no photography ensued. At least as far as you know.

When we finally made it through all of it and decided that a $50 (including tax) tram ride to the top was unnecessary, the underground disgorges us -several- hours later right at the base of the arch.

That lighter area at the base is the trench where the underground section exits.

Looking back toward city center from between the arch bases. Telephoto.

That is the courthouse in the center, closed for renovation. 

Oh yeah, a river runs through it. Bigg'un too.

At that point it was Zoo decision time. Tired and Time wait for no Zoo, so we decided to head North. 

Chatham won the best downtown on the (dreary rainy) day, er, late afternoon. The town square was referred to as 'really cute' with all the business /storefronts in good shape and a wide brick oval driving/parking surface around the square. Nilwood was in second for having lots of nice period houses.

Found a nice family owned Motel 6 in Springfield IL with badly needed laundry facilities. Fairly cheap too at $66 for the deluxe king room. The evening was McDonalds and laundry or Taco Bell and laundry.
Tough choice.

Day 14 Totals: 129 Miles, 199 Wh/mi. 27 KWh.

Day 15: We're Here!!

Technically beginning, not end. 

Normally we would have totalled up the miles for the second week above. but since we were only a day from completing the Route 66 part of the trip...

Completion has occurred. 

We went through the intersection of Jackson St. and Michigan Ave. about 7:03 PM Central Time. May 14th.

Begun: 11:50 AM PDT, May 3rd,  Santa Monica CA (Day 3). 

Route 66 leg: 12 days, 3004 Miles, 223 Wh/mi. 670 KWh

Yes we know it's 'supposed to be 2500 miles' but the backtracks, Vegas, and off-route for eating, sleeping and charging  -  it all adds up.

Trip Totals: 3996 Miles, 224 Wh/m.i 895 KWh used.  so far. 

The day began damply, as rainy days often do. Drive out of Springfield IL was grey and dreary but our intrepid explorers pressed on across the American midlands.

One feature that cropped up again and again in towns across Illinois were these 'archived' gas stations. This is the Texaco one in Chenoa IL and we saw Phillips, Standard Oil and others along the way. Probably something to do with the IL Route 66 Historical Society or whatever.

The next town we graced with our presence was Atlanta IL, pop.1000, which (hopefully) had a bathroom.  They did have the most interesting little Octagonal Library and a town clock that they still wind by hand. 

The Museum and two gift shops were all closed, but the library was open and the unique interior was actually quite welcoming once you were in.

The Atlanta Library, as you've never seen it before

Most of the R66 roads through this area were re-done in concrete slabs many years back so you almost become immune to the constant ka-thunk ka-thunk ka-thunk as you drive, It's almost like railroad tracks.

Next town of note was Pontiac IL.  A few years back there was a sign painter's convention in town. Many buildings (a dozen total?) had murals painted on them.

This is actually in an alley in the middle of town. That spire you see is the Courthouse:

They also had the official Illinois Route 66 Museum, and it had a LOT of stuff crammed into it's three floors. Very impressive, and free!
In terms of actual amount of memorabilia it's probably the winner for the trip.
Kingman AZ still holds the crown for explanatory displays and historical timelines

Here's one example from the displays.

Just in case you ever wondered where State Farm came from. 
Bloomington IL actually.

There was a long stretch where it rained quite a bit, rather hard at times, and we didn't pay all that much attention to the several towns we traveled through. Sorry!

As we got closer to Chicago, the R66 roads went mostly straight but with everything grownup since twisting all around, it was somewhat difficult to navigate. A two person job for sure, as it frequently has been for the whole trip.

There was also a 7:30 deadline on this weird hotel check-in. More on that later.

Once in Chicago we came across this street scene that was apparently part Loyola University Graduation and street protest in front of the cathedral. Never did figure what was going on.

From the Kasa Hotel looking West

OK so the hotel thing is just weird. What looks like a normal hotel entry on Expedia, with really really good reviews and pretty good price for Near North Chicago, $150/night. Turns out it's a little like AirBnB but the company owns the building, so sort of property manager mixed in and some of the units, which are quite nicely appointed are rented out, 2-21 days depending. The rate seems to be a last-minute 'we aren't full enough' thing, normally $300 and up. There's this kinda strange 'Virtual Front Desk' that you need to check in, sort of like AirBnB uses, but there's also a guy on site and he's only there until 7:30.  ...except he's not there and the security guy helps us. The guy finally arrives and shows us how to get into the building, and we get the first surprise. Three elevators for the top half of the building (long term rentals and condos) and three for us lower down folks. Except one is broken and they're using another to ferry parts and people to fix it and so, biggest elevator traffic jam you ever saw. 25-30 min. to get up or down.

During that discussion we find out it's 54 deg.F outside and the heat in the entire building is off. They recommend turning off all the air 'conditioning' in the room and bundle up to keep warm.
As if that wasn't enough the app they recommended for parking next door doesn't work and the guy says we can park somewhere else, except we already parked where they said (to get the lower rate) and they have no control... of charges to exceed $51/night.

But that isn't all. The taxes and fees are $52 ($26/night) and there's a $86 cleaning and incidentals that gets tacked on, same number regardless of how many nights you stay. And to be fair, that's probably not much if you're here for a week or longer. Anyway, total is $540 for two nights. Most other places in the area (Near-North - Magic Mile boundary) would be $600 total for two nights. OTOH stayed 4 nights in a 3 Star Hotel in Grenoble France (with full breakfast in a 3 star restaurant) for less.

...and this would be fine, if there was heat, if there was a drain in the shower (swimming time) if the louver-drapes would open or more importantly, close without showering you with louver panels.

Oh, and if the elevators weren't right next door and the workmen were banging and scraping and moving big parts around until 2:30AM. The virtual front desk offers tea and sympathy.
Edit days later: Hmmm, our '2 star' review never got posted on their site. Wonder how that happened.

Now we have to decide how to get home. Main contenders are: Interstates: I-70, I-80, I-90, I-94, or maybe something else. We have a couple days in Chicago to figure it out. Maybe try to slip in a Teton or perhaps some yellowed stone?

Day 16:  Chicago Chicago!

It's a nice room, if they ever get everything fixed, Kitchen (which we're not using) is awesome.

Since we were up early, like there was any choice given the drapes that won't close, we're out on the town early, More coffee anyone?

Look what we found walking toward breakfast. Yep, that's the genuine article.

Couple blocks over and a couple south and we're on the Michigan Avenue bridge over the Chicago River.

Starbucks? We're eating at Starbucks? Hmmm. Don't like their coffee, don't like their corporation, but the food isn't bad.

Well, bad start. The Art Institute/Museum is closed. The Gardens next to it are closed. Parts of Millennium Park are open, except all the sculpture stuff (including the cool reflecting what's-it):

 

Yes, we're not off to a great start.

They seem to be doing work all around it. ->

The Pritzker/Grand Lawn is, and the HP Bridge is just as advertised.

We didn't go over. Things to see...

Lake Michigan! From Queen's Landing. Another 'pano' shot 180+ deg. (the concrete is actually straight)

So if the photographer of the above lake turned exactly behind and walked up some steps you'd get this:

Cheerio! It's Buckingham Fountain

It's been a few miles so we're heading back.

Not all Chicago gardens are gigantic (or closed)

Getting back to the Michigan Ave/Magic Mile bridge we decide to have a look at the Riverwalk.

The South bank looks more interesting so we wander there.

Under the Columbia (draw) Bridge, you can see all the way to the lake.

One clever idea had by the Cruise Boats is that they have themes. Some are History, some are Architecture, some Musical. We have River walked and our feets is defeeted. Time to head back.

Left to right that's

One Superior   and

One Chicago

We're in Superior.

And that's it for Part 5. Part 6 ahead!

Day 16 Totals: 15,248 steps 0.2 burritos/mile.