Traveling Route 66 From Chicago to Los Angeles, Sept/Oct 2025

I will write my Route 66 Trip Journal later.  For right now, I will mention that I found 14 Virtuals, two Traditional Geocaches and attended one Geocaching Event in Las Vegas.  It was a great Cosmos Motorcoach Trip across country and a Coast Starlight Train trip up the Pacific Coast to home.  

Route 66 Sept/Oct 2025

Wednesday, Sept 24 - I traveled with Cosmos Tour on Route 66.  It stretches 2,448 miles across two-thirds of the continent beginning in Chicago, Illinois and ended in Santa Monica, California.  Route 66 traverses eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

I took Vancouver Cab to PDX at 5:00am.  Alaska Airlines flight was late leaving Portland.  As such it was quite late by the time I arrived at the Hotel Saint Clair in Chicago, Illinois. 

Thursday, Sept 25 - I visited the Art Institute of Chicago with its famous lions at 12:15PM.  I had lunch in the museum cafe.  I saw the artworks that Ferris, Sloane and Cameron interacted with in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off "as well as viewing the detailed list of renowned paintings in American Art, European Art (Impressionist and Post-Impressionist), and Modern & Contemporary Art.

I met Dennis James about 4:00pm in hotel lobby.  He was our Cosmos Tour Director on the journey across the United States on Route 66.  I accidentally left my phone in the Lyft.  It cost me $20 to retrieve it!

Friday, Sept 26 - We went on a morning sightseeing tour including taking photos at the sign marking the beginning of the original Route 66, and Cloud Gate aka The Bean.  We took a Chicago River cruise on the First Lady on the Chicago River and onto Lake Michigan for a view of the city's striking architecture.  Connie, a 1970s college friend who is also on the tour, and I had a delicious shrimp and chips lunch at a riverwalk cafe.  We took a Taxi back to the Hotel Saint Clair.

Saturday, Sept 27 - After a continental breakfast we traveled approximately 203 miles from Chicago to Springfield, Illinois.  We saw the Gemini Giant with a model rocket, and a Texaco Standard Oil Company Service Station.  Lunch from Wallys.  Some of the Group rode the Jolly Trolley in Pontiac, IL.  We saw the Giant Muffler Man holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, IL.  We stayed the night at the Drury Inn & Suites Springfield.   Hot food and cold beverages at 5:30 Kickback.  I watched "Below Mediterranean Deck" on TV this evening.

Sunday, Sept 28 - After a Hot Breakfast at the hotel we traveled 106 Miles from Springfield, IL to St. Louis, MO. We stopped by famous Cozy Dog Drive In.  Illinois Brick Road north of Auburn, IL (1.4 mile long piece of restored hand laid brick road).  We visited Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, MO (I did not ride to the top of the Arch).  I spied the Wainwright State Office Bldg. designed by Adler and Sullivan.  We stopped for Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a Route 66 treat since 1929.  I didn't get any as I was not interested.  We stayed the night at the Pear Tree Inn St. Louis.

Monday, Sept 29 - We traveled 284 miles from St. Louis to Joplin, MO.  We saw some of the 14 Murals in Cuba, MO.  We saw the World's (Second) Largest Rocking Chair in Fanning, MO.  We saw Uncle Sam Muffler Man in Uranus, MO.  Lunch at Cracker Barrel in St. Robert, MO.  We had a Joplin City Tour including a Historic Site sign - Bonnie and Clyde Garage Apartment 1933.  We stayed the night at Drury Inn & Suites Joplin.   Hot food and cold beverages at 5:30 Kickback.

Tuesday, Sept 30 - After a Hot Breakfast we traveled 217 miles from Joplin, MO to Oklahoma City, OK.   I saw a Texaco Muffler Man in Galena, KS at the Western Motel.  We had lunch at Hi-Way Cafe west of Vinita, OK.  There was a Giant Fiberglass Indian Chief.  I caught a brief glimpse of the Blue Whale of Catoosa, OK.  I took several photos of The Golden Driller in Tulsa, OK.   I saw a Cowboy Muffler Man with a Rocket near Decopolis Tulsa Art Deco Museum.  We visited the Route 66 Centennial Plaza (Father of the Mother Road).  Huge neon soda bottle (with a straw) at Pops 66.  I had dinner at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel. 

Wednesday, October 1 - After breakfast we traveled 252 miles from Oklahoma City, OK to Amarillo, TX.  We saw the magnificent Centennial Land Run Monument in Oklahoma City.  We saw Lucille's Historic Highway Gas Station near Hydro, OK.  Lunch in Elk City from Wal-Mart.  I found a geocache at Myrtle Kachina Doll statue at the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, OK.   I took a photo of the Leaning Tower of Texas (Britten U.S.A.) on the edge of Groom, TX from the motorcoach.  We stayed the night at Country Inn & Suites Amarillo West.

Thursday, Oct 2 - After a continental breakfast we traveled 294 miles from Amarillo, TX to Albuquerque, NM.  We visited the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo.  Ten vintage Cadillac's are buried nose-down in a field at an angle.  We took photos at Midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian, TX (Virtual Cache).  I should have had a slice of pie at the Midpoint Cafe.  I ate lunch at McDonalds in Tucumcari, NM.  I had dinner at Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Downtown.

Friday, Oct 3 - I thought about visiting Old Town (site of the city's original settlement), Albuquerque Museum or Botanic Garden/ABQ Bio-Park.  Instead I spent the day resting rather than go anywhere.  I had lunch, Happy Hour and dinner at the hotel. 

Saturday, Oct 4 - We left the hotel at 5:00am to see the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.  We saw the Flyover.  We were served fresh glazed donuts and hot chocolate.  We were seated in a white fenced in area.  I enjoyed an unforgettable experience of the early morning Balloon Glow and seeing dozens of colorful balloons filling with hot air.  We did not get to see the Mass Ascension, where hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons fill the morning sky. The wind was blowing too strong.  

We traveled 375 miles from Albuquerque to Williams, AZ.  We crossed the Continental Divide with an elevation of around 7,200 feet. We had lunch in Gallup, NM.  We stopped briefly in Holbrook, AZ at the Wigwam Motel with its Teepees and a number of classic vintage cars.  Some people visited "Standing on the Corner in Winslow Arizona" in the sleepy Route 66 town made famous by The Eagles in their hit song "Take It Easy" many years ago.  We stayed at the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Williams, AZ.  Mac and  Cheese dinner from Gift Shop.

Sunday, Oct 5 - The tour bus dropped me off at the Train Station in Williams, AZ.  I rode the Grand Canyon Railway to the Grand Canyon at 9:30am.  I had lunch at Bright Angel Arizona Room.  I took the train back at 3:30pm to Williams.  Amy picked me up about 6:00pm, took me to Safeway where I purchased items for a light dinner and dropped me off at the La Quinta.  I should have upgraded from Coach. 

Monday, Oct 6 - After a Continental breakfast we traveled 260 miles from Williams, AZ to Las Vegas, NV.  We stopped at the Seligman Highway Haven.  I ate lunch at Panda Express in Kingman, AZ.  I saw The White Rock Canyon Bridge (AZ) as we neared Lake Mead.  We crossed over the Memorial Bridge in Boulder City, NV.  Great bird's eye view of Hoover Dam.  I had a Cobb Salad and Pelle drink for dinner in my hotel room at the Sahara Las Vegas.

Tuesday, Oct 7 - I had a Starbucks breakfast at the hotel.  I went on a group trip to Hoover Dam.  I found the Memorial to the Dam Cool Dog (Virtual Cache).  I took a Lyft from the hotel five miles to the Geocaching Event at Yogurt Land.  I had lunch at Firehouse Subs.  The Geocaching Event was great fun.  I got a small dwarf cache container.  I had a light dinner at the hotel.

Wednesday, Oct 8 - I said good-by to Connie, my college friend, as she was flying home from Las Vegas.  We traveled 292 miles from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.  I saw the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign as we left town.  I purchased Calypso Original Lemon Juice in Baker, CA.  I ate lunch at In-N-Out Burger in Barstow, CA.  After a brief time in our hotel rooms at the Westin Bonaventure we headed to the end of Route 66 in Santa Monica.  I did not go down to the end of the Santa Monica Pier as it would have been too steep coming back.  The official end (from 1936 to 1964) of Route 66 was a mile inland at the corner of Olympic and Lincoln boulevards.  I had a light dinner at McDonalds.  We headed back to the hotel from Santa Monica around 8:00pm.

Thursday, Oct 9 - I took a Lyft to Los Angeles Union Station where I waited until boarding time in the First Class Lounge.  I boarded Compartment C in the Amtrak Coast Starlight at 9:30am to journey home.

I found 14 Virtuals, two Traditional Caches and attended one Geocaching Event during the Route 66 trip.

I spied the E.S. Hoyt House in Red Wing, MN

I spied the E.S. Hoyt House in Red Wing, MN the afternoon of Sep 12 from American Cruise motorcoach.  It was designed by the firm of Purcell and Elmslie and built in 1913.  The house is one of their more elaborate designs.  The horizontal lines of the Prairie School are quite pronounced in this house; they are expressed in the bands of art glass windows on both levels, the cantilevered second story, the low hipped roof, and deep eaves.  The exterior is clad with brick on the first floor and red stucco on the second floor.  Several of the art glass windows provide splendid views of the Mississippi River.  

50 States plus District of Columbia Challenge Completed - Sep 12, 2025

On Sep 9, I found Pearl Button treasure (Traditional Cache) in Iowa.  On Sep 10, I found Welcome to Unique - Dubuque Shot Tower (Virtual) in Iowa.  On Sept 11, I found I Like Your Style  Dude (Virtual) in Minnesota.  And on Sep 12, I found The Sea Witch Disaster (Traditional Cache) in Minnesota.

I have found at least one cache in each of the fifty states plus District of Columbia.

Upper Mississippi River Cruise on American Heritage, Sep 05 - Sep 13, 2025

I took a cab to PDX airport at 6:15 am to catch a flight to Denver at 8:35 am.  I had a Bulkhead Window Seat 7F. Then I had a Bulkhead Window Seat 7F from Denver to St Louis arriving at 4:33 pm.  The entire flight was cancelled.  A young woman sat by me and helped rebook using my IPhone.  An absolute angel.

I caught a flight out of PDX about 10:41 am for Chicago.  No Bulkhead Seat.  I sat in the Middle Seat 38E in the second to last row near the rear toilet.  I ended up in the Window Seat.  I had almost a three hour layover in Chicago so I used my United Lounge pass.  On the 8:05 pm flight from Chicago to St Louis   No Bulkhead Seat.  I sat 17B mid plane. 

Another nightmare.  Erratic Internet Service at the Airport Transportation area.  I finally got a Lyft.  I arrived at the Embassy Suites St. Louis Downtown Hotel about 10:30 pm.  I had an enormous Suite on the 5th Floor at the end of the corridor overlooking the Arena.

After breakfast I took a Lyft to the Saint Louis Art Museum located in Forest Park.  I visited the museum for three hours.  I had Ham and Swiss Sandwich for lunch in the cafe.  I took a Lyft back to the hotel.  I had planned to visit Eero Saarinen's Stainless Steel Gateway Arch but visitors who want to reach the top must take a tram ride.  There are 96 steps spread over six flights of stairs to reach the tram. The ride to the observation deck takes about 18 minutes, followed by a 30-minute to 1-hour wait on the way up. There are no seats or restrooms at the top of the Arch.  Not going to happen.

I had breakfast in the Hotel Atrium.  On board the ship I had a Single Balcony Stateroom 511 on the American Heritage traveling from St. Louis, MO to St. Paul, MN.   I had lunch at a corner table that was "my table" for the entire cruise.  The ship departed at 2:00 pm.

Sep 7 - The ship arrived at 7:30 am at Hannibal Riverfront Park - North Dock.  I rode the Hannibal, MO Local Loop.  I visited the Laura Hawkins House.  Laura was a real-life inspiration for Becky Thatcher in Mark Twain's books.  Afterwards I had Victorian Afternoon Tea of Scone, Strawberry Jam, and Clotted Cream with Earl Grey Tea in a lovely courtyard garden.  I attended the evening's entertainment: The Molly Brown Show.  Molly Brown was a resident of Hannibal and a survivor of the Titanic.  The ship departed at 11:00 pm.

Sep 8 - A relaxing day aboard ship.  The ship arrived at Riverside Park Landing in Davenport, IA at 11:00 pm.

Sep 9 - I took the narrated Muscatine Local Loop with stops.  We visited the Stanley Gallery where I photographed the statue "Prayer of Peace" (1987) by Allan Houser.  I found a Traditional Geocache at the National Pearl Button Museum.  The story of pearl buttons cut from the shells of freshwater mussels from the Mississippi River in Muscatine is told in the unique museum.  The ship departed at 1:00 pm from the Park Landing.  I attended the Presentation: The Golden Era of Steamboatin'.  I was interested in a book that a woman was reading about 6:30 am: "Beach Read'" by Emily Henry.  The woman gave me the book when she finished reading it.

Sep 10 - The ship arrived at 8:00 am at Rivers Edge Plaza Landing.  I rode the Dubuque, IA Local Loop. I visited St. Lukes Methodist Church. The guided experience highlighted the church's stain glass windows. Then I took a ride on the funicular elevator - the shortest and steepest scenic railway in the United States run at 45 degree angle.  I got my picture taken with the Dubuque Shot Tower in the background (Virtual Cache). The ship left at 1:00 pm.

Sep 11 - Dense Fog Advisory until 9:00 am. The ship arrived at 12:30 pm at the Winona Levee Park Landing.  I took the Local Loop at Winona, MN.  I visited St. Stanislaus Basilica (Polish) to view the stained-glass windows.  I took a Lyft to the Winona Knitting Mills.  I did a Virtual geocache.  I wandered the corridors looking at the displays, large photos, prints, etc.  I saw Big Lebowski's Sweater and display in a glass case and a newspaper article and photo of Mr. Rogers wearing his red sweater in framed displays.  I took a Lyft back to the ship.  The ship left at 6:00 pm.

Sep 12 - The ship arrived at 6:00 am in Red Wing, MN.  I went to a nearby Levee Park to find a multi-cache: "The Sea Wing Disaster" about 9:00 am.  We were supposed to have a narrated coach tour of St. Paul in the afternoon.  It was cancelled so I visited the Red Wing Arts in the Red Wing's historic 1905 depot.  When I returned to the ship, Emily, a local woman, helped me cross the railroad tracks.  Earlier I had spotted a FLW house.  Emily told me that the architect was a student of FLW.  I wish we could have had lunch together. I would have enjoyed our talk. I placed my luggage outside my stateroom after dinner.

Sep 13 - I had an early breakfast this morning.  The motorcoach departed for the airport at 7:45 am.  I got a Delta wheelchair attendant to take me to United Counter.  Afterwards I paid the Day Fee at United Lounge.  I ate lunch and rested. 

I was supposed to depart Minneapolis/St. Paul at 1:00 pm.  Disaster strikes again. Thankfully the women at the United Lounge Counter took charge of the chaotic re-bookings.  I was supposed to be routed through Chicago.  By the time the dust settled I was routed through Denver to Portland, OR.  United gave me a Voucher so I got a glass and half of wine during the flight.  The wine had Tasting Notes of Melon, Honeysuckle and Toasted brioche.  I did have Bulkhead window seats both flights.  I got a Lyft.  I was home by 6:30 pm.  Great trip (except for United Airlines) but it was good to be home!

Then they came for me—Martin Niemöller

 The Quote

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

—Martin Niemöller

This quote is attributed to the prominent German pastor Martin Niemöller.   After World War II, Niemöller openly spoke about his own early complicity in Nazism and his eventual change of heart. His powerful words about guilt and responsibility still resonate today.

The Nature of Survival

 "The nature of survival is that stuff doesn't always go as planned. Survival is about making decisions, keeping going, keeping cheerful and coming up with a new plan when something doesn't work." Edward Michael Grylls, nicknamed Bear, (b. 1974), British adventurer, writer and television presenter.

Oregon Coast Trip, August 1-2, 2025

On Friday, August 1st, I stayed overnight at McMenamins Gearhardt Hotel.  I had lunch at the hotel's Sand Trap Pub.  I was disappointed that there was not a Happy Hour.  I had a room on the top floor, overlooking the golf course.  Good night's sleep.  I should have taken time to have a hearty breakfast.

I rode the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad.  The Cafe Car, Open Car and Coaches were pulled by Steam Locomotive No. 25.   I departed from Rockaway Beach at 1:00PM, arriving in Garibaldi at 1:30. Left Garibaldi at 2:00, arriving back in Rockaway at 2:30.  I had a Coach Car Ticket but I chose to sit in the corner of the nearly empty Cafe Car with great Bay Side/Ocean views.

I drove northeast via Hwy 53 and Sunset Hwy 26.  I visited Nehalem Bay Winery. I stopped partway home to have a fish sandwich at Dairy Queen.  I arrived home about 8:00PM.  During the two day trip I found two Virtuals, a Locationless Cache and got coordinates and information to create an Earthcache: Silver Point Interpretive Overlook on the Oregon Coast.