Buckingham Fountain with Chicago's magic skyline forming the backdrop.

Art Deco skyscrapers are us - love it!

The Sears Tower.

Although the day was wet and FREEZING, the view from the Sears Tower was still jaw-dropping.

Another art deco beauty - Carbide & Carbon Building

Bridge across the Chicago River with THAT skyline.

More cityscape, this time from a river and lake cruise,

Anyone who's seen Batman (Dark Knight) will recognise this building!

Navy Pier on a COLD, FREEZING day was still worth a visit.

A Chicago hot dog, dragged through the garden!

Billy Goat Tavern Double Cheeseburger, no pepsi coke, no fries chips, CHEEZBORGER!

Billy Goat Tavern Entrance.

The famous "el" - cheap, fast and efficient!

I was lucky to be in Chicago for Palm Sunday so was able to go to one of the main masses at St James Cathedral. Stylish place with a stylish delivery - we processed into the Cathedral behind a three piece band (sax, trumpet and banjo) to the strains of "When the Saints go Marching IN"!

No one warned us about snow storms and sleet in spring! Ay carumba!

Pontiac G6 GT rental car - 3.5L V6, not bad! Let's get our kicks!

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.

Welcome to the pretty town of Joliet.

On track through Joliet IL.

As well as a great ice cream stand and cool signs, Route 66 Park on the northern entrance to Joliet has some old style gas pumps to set the scene.

Chicago Street in Joliet.

There's a comprehensive Route 66 Museum in Joliet with friendly volunteers and even the Blues Brothers!

Former Universalist Church building built of the local stone.

Another attractive heritage building in downtown Joliet.

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

The large, historic library.

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.

A cool Route 66 mural in the Launching Pad Diner.

The Launching Pad Diner Route 66 Burger (with fries and onion rings of course).

The main street in Wilmington.

A sign of busier times - a former drive through window in a Wilmington alley.

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

An abandoned rail siding in Wilmington.

Wilmington Town Hall.

By sheer lucky chance we stumbled on the head office for famous Route 66 "Route Beer" and its owner Scott Cameron in a shop in the main street of Wilmington. Make sure you drop in and say Hi to Scott if you're in town, he's a top guy who made us very welcome, spent an hour talking with us and then sent us on our way with a couple of bottles of the famous brew. DELICIOUS! There are other nice flavours too so check out his web site and support this great business. Gidday Scott!

The condition of old Route 66 out of Wilmington was pretty bad - the verges were very crumbly.

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

The Polk-a-Dot Diner's neon sign.

A 1939 former gas station.

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.

A Betty Boop sign outside the Riviera Restaurant.

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

Welcome to Gardner.

Yep, still on track.

A street scene in the charming Illinois town of Gardner.

This 1905 two cell jail is one of the tourist sights in Gardner.

This Route 66 era car was the final 66 touch for Gardner, Illinois..

The abandoned Dawg House on Route 66 Diner was one of the first buildings we met on an old section of Route 66 suburban street in Dwight.

We found the Smaterjax Grill & Pizzeria based on a Route 66 Dining Guide recommendation but alas it was closed down too.

The interior of the abandoned Smaterjax Grill & Pizzeria - it looked like you could expect someone to arrive any moment to open for business. They must have just locked the door and walked away.

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

A restored Sky Chief Pump at Becker's Marathon Stationin Dwight.

Main Street, Dwight Illinois.

Old gas pump and sign collection, Dwight IL.

The scenice railway station in Dwight IL.

A cute local near the railway station, Dwight Illinois.

The Carpenter Gothic Church dates back to 1857.

The Route 66 Java Stop in Dwight IL is ingeniously constructed from 2 shippling containers on top of each other.

The sign for the Old Route 66 Family Restaurant - we had lunch here and loved it!

The highly recommended Double Cheese Burger at the Old Route 66 Family Restaurant.

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

The Fox Development Centre is just one of the historic buildings on Main Steer near the railway station in Dwight IL.

A stately home now serving as the Country Mansion Restaurant.

The historic Windmill, Dwight IL.

An abandoned Old Mobil Station in Odell IL.

But, amidst the abandonment, a restored 1932 Standard Oil Gas Station, Odell IL.

Old Route 66 memorabilia outside a private house, Odell IL.

An abandoned and filled in pedestrian subway, Odell IL. Hard to believe that this suburban street was once so busy that pedestrians needed a subway to safely cross the road. It's just a quiet and narrow suburban street now.

Route 66 near Odell was once 4 lanes, now reduced to two. These are the abandoned extra lanes from the glory days.

The famous restored Meramec Caverns barn near Odell IL.

Old Log Cabin Restaurant Original Gas Station Section, Pontiac IL.

Picturesque old shops, Pontiac IL.

The Route 66 Museum is housed in the historic Former Fire Departmentin Pontiac, IL. Jim Jones and the other friendly volunteers welcomed us really warmly and devoted a lot of time to showing us around the impressive and extensive displays in the museum. Thanks Jim and the gang and gidday from Australia.

A really cool Route 66 mural on the back wall of the Route 66 Museum, Pontiac IL.

Another historic building in Pontiac IL.

Shooting the breeze with Abe, Pontiac IL. Tall, wasn't he?

A cut off abandoned section of old Route 66 has been preserved as "Memory Lane", just outside Lexington IL.

Jo in Memory Lane, Lexington IL.

Memory Lane has a number of small bird houses cleverly painted to represent various aspects of old Route 66, Lexington IL.

The old sign points the way to downtown Lexington IL.

Old Koch's Depot, Lexington IL.

Town square, Lexington IL.

A suburban street scene, Lexington IL.

The impressive First Presbyterian Church, Chenoa IL.

St Josephs Catholic Church was another impressive building in Chenoa IL.

Interesting shops and street lighting, Chenoa IL.

The library occupies an unusual building in a suburban street, Chenoa IL.

Old Route 66 mural in Chenoa IL.

Old advertising mural, Chenoa 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.

Pretty decorated shops in Bllomington - Normal, IL.

The unusual and very art deco Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Bloomington - Normal IL.

More interesting historic shops in Bloomington - Normal IL.

Abe somehow got here from Pontiac before us so Jo had a chat with him.

The famous Old Country Store, Funks Grove IL.

Don't buy fuel here!

The old railroad depot, Funks Grove IL.

A cut off remnant of old Route 66 gradually breaking up in pretty woodland near Funks Grove IL.

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

Still on track, McLean IL.

Historic old shops, town square, McLean IL.

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

Main street, 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.

Old advertising murals, Atlanta IL.

Atlanta Route 66 Park is an interesting tourist attraction.

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.

Larry showing us over the workings of the J H Hawes Grain Elevator (1903), Atlanta IL. Make sure you visit if you're passing through!

The restored engine which drives the J H Hawes Grain Elevator (1903) in Atlanta IL.

Larry & Jo outside the J H Hawes Grain Elevator (1903), Atlanta IL.

The very institutional fire station in Lincoln IL.

Heritage stone building, Lincoln IL.

Logan County Circuit Court, Lincoln IL.

Railway station, Lincoln IL.

Drinks are cool at the Route 66 Old Fashioned Soda Fountain, Lincoln IL.

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

The Old Station, Williamsville IL.

The Williamsville IL Route 66 Dream Car Museum looked interesting but was closed when we passed through.

The Illinois State Capitol is just one of many impressive monumental buildings in Springfield IL.

The old State Capitol was also an interesting landmark.

Downtown Springfield IL.

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.

The Springfield IL First Christian Church is an impressive downtown building.

The Lincoln Bicentennial was being celebrated when we passed through Springfield IL.

They say it's good luck to polish the nose on the Lincoln Tomb Bronze Cast, Springfield IL.

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

The 1880 Glenarm IL Covered Bridge.

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

Welcome to Thayer IL.

Wonderful old Concrete 2 Lane Route 66 and the Illinois countryside near Thayer IL.

Welcome to Virden IL.

Virden IL town square.

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.

A charming rustic Illinois barn near Girard IL.

Magic original 2 Lane Concrete Route 66 near Girard IL.

Old concrete Route 66 & a reassuring road sign in the back blocks near Nilwood IL.

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

Abandoned Nilwood IL Public School (1927) rotting away on Route 66 on the outskirts of town.

What a classic Route 66 scene - old truck and tractor in an old shed outside Nilwood IL.

A panoramic of the pretty town square in Carlinville IL, taken on a wet day from the rotunda in the centre of the park.

Closed 1920 Bridge South of Carlinville IL - classic early Route 66.

A degraded and bypassed stretch of old Route 66 leading to the old 1920s bridge.

Historic Macoupin County Jail (1865), Carlinville IL. town.

Macoupin County Courthouse, Carlinville 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!

The Ariston Cafe neon sign, Litchfield IL.

The Vic Suhling Gas sign in Litchfield IL is one of the most photographed on the Route. The sign is all that's left - no gas station.

Wabash Depot, Litchfield IL.

This is just part of an abandoned complex of a Motel, Cafe etc in Litchfield IL.

We're still kickin' on Route 66 in Mt Olive IL.

The Old 1926 Soulsby Shell Station, Mt Olive IL.

The highlight for us in Staunton IL was meeting Rich Henry, owners of Henry's Rabbit Ranch. Yet another of the gems that dot old Route 66, Rich made us super welcome at the iconic ranch. He showed us around, told us history and yarns and treated us like long lost relatives. This a a must visit spot on the route. See Rich's web site for more details.

"Hare it is", the sign for Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton IL, a clever play on the other Route 66 rabbit, the "Here it is" sign at Jackrabbit in Arizona (see later in this site for that rabbit).

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

Another amusing play on another Route 66 icon, the Cadillac Ranch outside Amarillo Texas, is the Rabbit Ranch at Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton IL where VW Rabbit's are the burial victims. LOL.

A collection of old Route 66 neons rescued at Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton IL.

The marker where Rich's beloved black rabbit Montana was buried at Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton IL.

The Crystal Ball Room is a tourist sight in Staunton IL.

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 old roadhouse/bar at Decamp Junction, IL. We tried to go in here for dinner but the smoke was so thick it drove us back out.

St Pauls Lutheran Church and the "Neon Cross of Route 66", Decamp Junction IL.

Welcome to Hamel IL!

Scottys Route 66 Grill, Hamel IL.

The covered bridge, Glen Carbon IL.

1853 Yanda Log Cabin, Glen Carbon IL.

The Bel Air Drive In Sign in Mitchell IL - just a sign, no Drive In!

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.

The long abandoned Twin Oaks gas station and its neon sign, in Mitchell IL.

A sad farewell to Illinois and hello to Missouri as we join I-270 to cross the Mississippi near the famous Chain of Rocks bridge.