DAY 7

We got up and had breakfast and slowly started to load up our Motors. It was a beautiful, clear morning, perfect for riding into Chicago. This is what we had been waiting for for months. We left the motel at 8:40 AM and headed east on the interstate. Chuck was leading us as we came up to a toll booth. Since Chuck was leading, he paid the toll. Lucky for him it was only $.60 per Motor. The toll booth attendant, Kwami, was very helpful with directions on how to get to downtown Chicago and the start of Old Route 66. As we neared downtown Chicago we could see the skyline. We arrived at our starting point, Jackson St. and Michigan Way at 9:20 AM and after 30 miles of riding. The exact area where the sign was posted was under construction so the sign was missing. That was OK, we took pictures of the group, Motors and the area.

After checking our maps and getting our bearings, we decided to go north a few miles along Lake Shore Drive. Chuck was still leading us and as we rode along the shore, we saw hundreds of people jogging, walking, playing and boating along the shoreline and in the water. I was looking at the beach and thought that the ocean was large and beautiful, then I thought, "This isn't the ocean, it's just a lake!" Wow, what a BIG lake! We went a few miles north, made a u-turn and then went back southbound, headed for I-55. We passed "The Drake" hotel, Sears tower, Soldier Field and other landmarks to numerous to mention. We turned at the exit for Highway 53, which is where Old Route 66 starts. Well, we wanted to turn there, however, we got in the wrong lane and exited 1/4 mile to early and headed northbound but exited at the first available exit and ended up in Woodridge, IL. at 10:53 AM after only 45 miles. We took advantage of the error, took a break, pit stop and gassed up.

We checked the map and Jan led us back on track. We got to Highway 53 and the Old Route 66. Illinois did us a great favor by marking Old Route 66 with signs. They were easy to follow. As we follow Old Route 66, it took us into many little towns through their "Main Street." We arrived in Joliet, IL. after only 16 miles and at 12:15 PM we stopped along the road next to a sign to take pictures. We each rode our Motors onto the sidewalk next to the "Old Route 66" sign and had our pictures taken. At this portion of the road, it was a one way southbound. There was a Route 66 museum and souvenir shop one block north of us. We decided to go. Chuck rode his Motor northbound on the southbound, one way street to the Museum. The rest of us didn't want any part of that! Bruce, Jan and I rode northbound on the east sidewalk, while Jim and J.B. rode around the block, legally, and into the Museum parking lot. Kathleen walked. We didn't go through the tour because it lasted 1 1/2 hours. We did go into the souvenir shop and bought a few items and also used the facilities. We left at 12:50 PM.

Jan continued to lead us on 66 and we rode through a couple of towns and at 1:13 PM and 17 miles later, we stopped in Wilmington for lunch at a Subway. We knew that because of 66, we wouldn't be making great time and distance. There is just too much to see! We left at 2:00 PM.

As we traveled Old Route 66, at times the road was next to I-55 or next to the original Route 66. The original was still there in parts and not maintained. There were sign stating, "Road Closed." Just south of Pontiac, IL., Jan stopped onto the original Route 66 and past a barrier. We parked our Motors and stopped to talk about it. We took some pictures and Chuck got on his Motor and rode about 200 yards south, to the end of the section, made a u-turn and returned. Jim, Kathleen and I took video of his short ride. Not only did Chuck take his solo ride, but Bruce, Jim and J.B. all helped "water" the field next to the road. I have pictures of Bruce and Jan. J.B. was sneaky and got past me! Maybe next time. We continued on at 3:15 PM.

We continued onward, following the signs. At one point, we don't know when, we stopped seeing the signs and got on the wrong road. We stopped 47 miles from our last stop at 4:17 PM. We were checking the map, however, we didn't know where we were! We discussed it for a while and Jim took out his GPS and started leading us back to I-55. We left at 4:33 PM.

We ended up in McLean, IL., 10 miles from where we stopped when we realized that we were lost. It's a good thing that Jim had the GPS and that he knew how to operate and read it. We stopped at 4:49 PM at a gas station and made a pit stop, took a break and at 5:09 PM, we continued.

We continued to follow Old Route 66 southbound. About 34 miles later we stopped in Springfield, IL. at 5:50 PM and gassed up. Chuck, Jim and J.B.'s "low fuel" light turned on a few miles back so we stopped. This was a quick stop and after checking the map to see where we would stop for the night in Springfield, J.B. led us to the Best Western. We arrived 13 miles later and at 6:11 PM. Bruce entered and tried to get a good price. The place didn't have very many cars and it appeared that the motel would love to rent out 4 rooms. The female clerk would not give us a good rate and didn't even want to barter with Bruce. She started the price higher that what my Best Western book stated. We told her, "no" and left at 6:30 PM to go look for another motel. At 6:42 PM we found a Ramada Inn just 3 miles away. The clerk gave us a good price, it had WiFi, an indoor pool and a Mexican food restaurant within walking distance. This was it! We checked in, parked our Motors and tucked them in for the night. After unpacking, most everyone, except J.B. and me (the water was not heated), went into the pool. After the pool, we changed and walked to the Xochimilco Mexican Food restaurant. We had a good dinner and returned to the motel to secure for the night.

We rode 259 miles today. It didn't seem like we rode so many miles. Some of us were more tired of getting on and off of the Motors than riding the distance. Oh well, that is the nature of this beast, Old Route 66...I wasn't talking about us. I know what you guys were thinking! Everyone else is in their rooms sleeping, I guess it's my turn. Until tomorrow...