The beginning of Route 66, with its fierce guardian, Chicago IL - Art Institute of Chicago.

Billy Goat Tavern Entrance.

Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket was the first Route 66 icon on our way (even though Willowbrook is really part of Chicago nowdays).

White Fence Farm near Romeoville was our next stop. Very restricted opening hours meant we just got outside photos.

Make sure you check first and visit Joliet when the Rialto Theatre is conducting tours of the magnificent building,

The first of the Illinois 66 Giants - the Joliet Jackhammers' mascot at Silver Cross Field ballpark.

We met the next of the Illinois Route 66 Giants - the Gemini Giant, outside the Launching Pad Diner in Wilmington.

The famous Launching Pad Diner.

Another Route 66 fossil - a Sinclair dinosaur on what is now a tyre outlet.

Another 66 icon, the Polk-a-Dot Diner with its cast of characters.

The famous 1928 Riviera Restaurant is on the way into Gardner. It's been a fixture on the Route for 80 years - let's hope someone saves it.

This 1920s steetcar in the grounds behind the Riviera has been converted to a diner and is maintained by more Mother Road volunteers.

The restored Becker's Marathon Station (1933) is another 66 icon.

The Old Route 66 Family Restaurant - yes even the Dwight Police eat here!.

The famous restored Meramec Caverns barn near Odell IL.

Jo in Memory Lane, Lexington IL.

Famous Dead Man's Curve, Towanda IL.

A stretch of abandoned lanes of Route 66 has been converted into "Historic Route 66 - A Geographical Journey" in Townada IL.

The famous Old Country Store, Funks Grove IL.

The Dixie Truckers Plaza Diner (Former Dixie Truckers Home) has been serving Route 66 since 1928.

Another of the Illinois Route 66 giants, the Bunyon Giant, Atlanta IL.

A mural advertising the just re-opened Palms Grill Cafe, Atlanta IL.

The unusual 1908 Public Library Museum in Atlanta IL is octagonal.

While taking photos downtown, we ran into Larry Brandt, owner of the J H Hawes Grain Elevator (1903) which is currently nearly ready to open as a tourist attraction. When Larry heard we were foreign visitors he very kindly opened up the elevator and showed us right through. Typical Illinois hospitality. Thanks Larry and Gidday from Australia.

The Mill in Lincoln IL is a Route 66 icon and is under renovation currently.

Springfield IL is also home to the Cozy Dog Drive - home of the corn dog.

The Lauderbach Giant in Springfield IL is the last of the Illinois giants.

Shea's Gas Station Museum is another Route 66 icon in Springfield IL.

The famous stretch of 1930s red brick Route 66 near Auburn IL.

The friendly staff at the Whirl-A-Whip in Girard IL. We were lucky to be able to eat here as they had just opened for the season.

The famous tracks left by a turkey which walked over a freshly poured section of 1920's concrete Route 66 near Nilwood IL.

The former Coliseum Ballroom in Benld IL dates back to 1924.

The Ariston Cafe in Litchfield IL dates back to 1931. Lunch is great!

Wabash Depot, Litchfield IL.

The Old 1926 Soulsby Shell Station, Mt Olive IL.

The driveway into Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton IL. Note the old Standard sign.

The famous Crystal Ball Room chandelier in Staunton IL. A very kind person setting up for a wedding let us in to see it even though they were closed. Thanks, mate!

The Luna Cafe neon sign in Mitchell IL. What a friendly bunch of people we met here. We sat next to a Vietnam veteran who had appreciated friendly Aussie hospitality while on R&R and insisted on paying for our lunch.

One of the old Route 66 Chain of Rocks bridges, Mitchell IL. Goodbye Illinois.

The old Chain of Rocks Bridge with its 22 degree dogleg is a Route 66 icon near Venice MO enroute St Louis.

The Gateway Arch is probably one of the best known tourist sites in St Louis and is something you must visit.

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is a Route 66 icon in St Louis MO.

The Eat-Rite Diner is a St Louis and Route 66 icon.

One of the Missouri "giants" is the Giant Farmer & Son in Marlborough MO.

The much photographed Diamonds Restaurant & Gardenway Motel Signs, Gray Summit MO.

Originally Diamonds and later the Tri County Restaurant; this was a substantial art deco building in Villa Ridge MO - alas it appears to have been boarded up for quite some time.

The highlight of our visit to St Clair was lunch at the iconic Lewis Cafe.

The entrance to the famous Meramec Caverns, near Stanton MO.

The iconic "Bourbon" water tower.

The Circle Inn in Bourbon MO is another Route 66 landmark.

Cuba MO is famous for its murals.

The restored Jims Motors graces the main intersection in Cuba MO.

The classic Wagon Wheel Motel neon sign, Cuba MO.

Mule Trading Post, Rolla MO.

The famous and VERY well photographed abandoned Johns Modern Cabins Sign, near Doolittle MO.

Vernelles Motel still running, near Doolittle MO.

Elbow Inn Bar & BBQ Pit, Devils Elbow MO.

Sheldons (was Allmans) Market, Devils Elbow MO.

The famous Munger Moss Motel, Lebanon MO.

Whitehall Mercantile, Halltown MO.

The Gay Parita Restored Sinclair Station at Paris Springs owned by Gary Turner. Gary is another of those Mother Road charmers! He welcomed us very warmly, plied us with refreshments and regaled us with stories about the history of the old station and the restoration. One of nature's gentlemen is Gary. Plenty of other people drop in to visit him daily - while we there a Scottish couple passed by and also Jeff Meyer "The Original Roadologist". Gidday from Australia, Gary!

Maxville MO is the home of Red Oak II. The owner has moved in all kinds of old buildings, vehicles, implements etc to create a whole small vintage town. It wasn't quite open when we passed by but will be soon so do drop by.

The Peggy Sue Drive-In is a Route 66 icon, Carterville MO.

The Bradbury Bishop Deli is another Route 66 icon in Webb City MO but alas we arrived 5 minutes before closing and got refused entry,

The now well-known 4 Women on the Route Restored Gas Station, Galena KS.

Howard 'Pappy' Litch Park, Galena KS.

A very friendly lady in Eisler Bros in Riverton KS took our photo outside the store.

The last of the "Marsh Arch" bridges on Route 66, Riverton KS.

Restored 1930 Phillips 66 Station, Baxter Springs KS.

The Coleman Theatre, Miami OK; a 1929 Spanish Mission beauty!

Restored DX Gas Station 'Afton Station', Afton OK.

Dead Mans Corner and LONG abandoned gas station ruin, north of Vinita OK.

While I didn't come to Vinita OK to see the world's Largest McDonalds (spanning I-44), it certainly was worth photographing!

The abandoned Country Court Motel's neon sign is a landmark at White Oak OK.

1926 Iron Bridge on the road into Chelsea OK.

The excellent Top Hat Diner, Foyil OK.

Foyil OK was the birthplace of the runner Andy Payne.

The Totem Pole Park with its 90' Totem Poleis a tourist attraction in Foyil OK.

The former Will Rogers Hotel (now Will Rogers Center) still graces Claremore OK.

Will Rogers Memorial and Museum Building, Claremore OK. We were made extremely welcome here.

McClellan-Kerr Navigation System twin road bridges, Verdigris OK.

The famouse Blue Whale, Catoosa OK. This is probably my favourite Route 66 icon. What a charming story there is behind its building.

"The Golden Driller", a giant oil worker at Tulsa Fairgrounds, Tulsa OK.

Inside Tallys Cafe, Tulsa OK. Very retro!

Giant Coke Bottle on the way into Sapulpa OK.

A bizarre sight in Sapulpa OK is this old Diner incorporating boats into its structure.

The Happy Burger Diner is another Route 66 icon, Sapulpa OK.

A former Cotton Gin then Diner now Antiques store, Kellyville OK. That's versatility!

Old Route 66 "tank farm" loop scenic section near Bellvue OK.

The Rock Cafe has long been a Route 66 icon in Stroud OK but was under renovation when we passed through.

Gar Woolys Food-N-Fun, Davenport OK.

Restored 1933 Texas Co Gas Station, Davenport OK.

Restored 1930 Phillips 66 Gas Station, Chandler OK.

The Route 66 Interpretive Centre is in a restored 1937 Armoury building in Chandler OK.

The long, LONG abandoned Little Brothers Station, Luther OK.

The famous 1898 Round Barn is a Route 66 landmark in Arcadia OK.

National Cowboy Museum, Oklahoma City OK.

Anns Chicken Fry House street art, Oklahoma City OK. Wow, we're really here, alright.

Closed 1924 Lake Overholser Bridge, Oklahoma City OK.

Old 'Watch Your Curves' beef sign near Yukon OK.

Old WW2 Bomber as street art, El Reno OK.

Lucille's is a Route 66 icon near Hydro OK, now replaced by a new Lucille's slightly further west.

The new Lucille's Roadhouse in Weatherford OK has retained much of the vintage "look and feel" of the original one, just a few miles east on the other side of Hydro.

An old Starfighter (I think) graces the entrance to the Air & Space Museum at Weatherford OK.

The Route 66 Museum is a major tourist attraction in Clinton OK.

The Giant Indian, Clinton OK.

The abandoned Kobels Place, Foss OK.

National Route 66 Museum - very impressive and extensive, Elk City OK.

Roger Miller Museum (1929 Building), Erick OK, a fellow King of the (Mother) Road!

Historic Territorial Jail, Texola OK.

The U Drop In Tower Conoco station in Shamrock TX is a famous Route 66 icon.

Nice restored Phillips 66 Gas Station, McLean TX

Route 66 Museum & Devils Rope Museum, McLean TX.

Bradley Kiser 1930 66 Super Service Station, Alanreed TX.

Giant Cross (190 feet), Groom TX.

'Leaning Tower', Groom TX.

Undoubtedly the highlight of our visit to Amarillo TX was the dinner at the Big Texan. Great fiendly service and possibly the best steak I've had in a life full of eating good steaks!

The Natatorium is another Route 66 icon in Amarillo TX.

It was great to see Cadillac Ranch in person on our way west out of Amarillo TX.

Dots Mini-Museum is a long standing Route 66 icon in Vega TX.

This restored 1926 Magnolia Gasoline Station in Vega TX is a Route 66 must see.

If you ever pass through Adrian TX be sure to stop at the Midpoint Cafe. We were greeted with warmth and interest by the people there and the "ugly crust" pie is a must-eat and a Route 66 legend. You'll meet friendly fellow road travellers and spend a memorable time here for sure! Gidday from Brisbane Tom and Fran!

Tom, now working at the Midpoint Cafe, is the former proprietor of the now closed Bent Door Midway Station and Phillips 66 Station - another Route 66 icon in Adrian TX.

One of those enigmatic, indeed eccentric, Stanley Marsh 3 signs, this one in Adrian TX. Stanley Marsh 3 is the creator of the Cadillac Farm outside Amarillo, amongst other things.

Abandoned Tourist Complex 'Modern Rest Room', Endee NM - long abandoned.

The famous Blue Swallow Motel and its iconic neon sign has long been a Route 66 mainstay in Tucumcari NM. It's been fully renovated by new owners now.

The Route 66 Auto Museum is worth a visit on the way into Santa Rosa NM.

The Blue Hole is a popular swimming spot in Santa Rosa NM.

The abandoned Longhorn Ranch neon sign in lonely Wagon Wheel NM.

The stylish and interesting Plaza Hotel is well worth visiting in Las Vegas NM.

If you're ever diving the old Santa Fe loop of old Route 66 be sure to visit Pecos National Historical Park NM.

The Bobcat Bite Diner is another Route 66 icon just outside Santa Fe NM.

The Loretto Chapel is a jewel in the Santa Fe NM crown.

San Miguel Catholic Church dates way WAY back to 1610, Santa Fe NM.

Santa Fe NM boast the odest house in the USA (1646).

The 66 Diner is another Mother Road icon, Albuquerque NM - love that art deco look.

The Aztec Motel in Albuquerque NM is another icon and certainly looks different.

The Kimo Theatre in downtown Albuquerque NM is yet another Route 66 icon.

San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church, old town Albuquerque NM.

Closed 1933 Through Truss Bridge, Rio Puerco NM.

Dead Mans Curve & Route 66 Sign on road, just north of I-40, Mesita NM.

Budville Trading Company established 1928, Budville NM.

Villa de Cubero Trading Post (1937) of Hemmingway fame, Cubero NM.

Continental Divide NM - separates the water drainage to the Pacific and to the Gulf of Mexico.

Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post, Defiance NM.

Fort Courage Trading Post in Houck AZ, said to be the home of "F Troop", is now closed and abandoned.

The 66 Diner in Sanders AZ is a pink and white statement, apparently relocated from Holbrook at some time and combined with a house trailer to create the current establishment.

Petrified Forest National Park AZ entrance sign.

The Wigwam Motel is a famous Route 66 icon, Holbrook AZ.

Geronimo Trading Post AZ claims this as the LARGEST petrified tree.

The Jackrabbit "Here It Is Sign" is one of the most iconic signs on Route 66, Joseph City AZ

Standin' on the Corner Statue, Winslow AZ. I just love the "ghost painted" reflection of the "girl in a flat bed ford" in the shop window.

La Posada was an unexpected treat in Winslow AZ. Don't miss it if you pass through, classy place and great food.

This closed Trading Post & large Route 66 map are all that is to be found at Meteor City AZ.

A panoramic view of the incredible Meteor Crater AZ.

All that's left at Two Guns AZ are these Tourist Complex ruins.

Abandoned Trading Post, Twin Arrows AZ.

Miz Zips Restaurant is another very well known Route icon, Flagstaff AZ.

Granny's Closet Restaurant is a Route 66 icon and a great place.

We dined at Goldie's Route 66 Diner and can give it a big thumbs up, Williams AZ.

This Grand Canyon Railway old locomotive is on display at Williams AZ.

Rods Steak House & neon sign, Williams AZ.