Day 8 – Chicago to St. Louis

At the Start of Route 66 on the Bike

Back at the start of Route 66 on the bike before setting off on an early Chicago Sunday morning.
Back at the start of Route 66 on the bike before setting off on an early Chicago Sunday morning.

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Odelle Gas Station

The famous restored Odell Gas Station. We missed it and only got this photo of it by coincidence. Why didn't we turn back? One word: too bloody hot (sorry, that's three)
The famous restored Odell Gas Station. We missed it and only got this photo of it by coincidence. Why didn’t we turn back? One word: too bloody hot (sorry, that’s three)

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Original Route 66 Concrete slab

Riding along Route 66 today, this overgrown concrete slab – which can be seen on the right – kept making an appearance. Although no longer in use, this is the original Route 66, the very first incarnation of the road which carried the migrants west to California back in the 1930s and 40s.

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Route 66 running parallel to I55

For long stretches Route 66 ran parallel to I55 just a stone’s throw away. Where this happened it removed the aura and magic of travelling along the Main Street of America. Once it disappeared the remoteness returned and it felt like a real road trip again.

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Gateway Arch and Hotel

The St. Louis Arch with the Four Seasons Hotel on the left. Looks really close, but it took us 10 minutes to get to it from here thanks to navigational errors
The St. Louis Arch in the distance with the corner of the Four Seasons Hotel on the left. Looks really close, but it took us 10 minutes to get to it from here thanks to navigational errors

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Air-conditioned underground walkway

The subterranean air-conditioned walkway from the Four Seasons Hotel past the casino - a blissful respite from the hot, humid evening.
The subterranean air-conditioned walkway from the Four Seasons Hotel past the casino – a blissful respite from the hot, humid evening.

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Gateway Arch and Courthouse

The St. Louis Arch behind the courthouse - a great contrast between old and new.
The St. Louis Arch behind the courthouse – a great contrast between old and new.

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Gateway Arch

An impressive structure, especially when viewed up close. It's hard to judge the height due to it's shape, but the top stands at 630ft above ground.
An impressive structure, especially when viewed up close. It’s hard to judge the height due to it’s shape, but the apex stands at 630ft above ground.

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Clear as Mud

Try taking all this in as you whizz by at 30mph. That's why GPS was invented.
Try taking all this in as you whizz by at 30mph. That’s why GPS was invented.

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Four Seasons Hotel

Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis, complete with Casino bolted onto the side.
Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis, complete with Casino bolted onto the side.

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