We wrapped-up our 1,100 mile drive through the Midwest, with a Cubs victory over the Cardinals and a flight out of St. Louis.  This included an unexpected stop at the Route 66 museum in Litchfield, Illinois. With my 66th year of life coming to a conclusion in a few short months, this famous road has been an unplanned lure during our travels throughout the country. (See Post #235). Next month, I will get a picture at Lake Shore Dr. and Jackson Street in Chicago where the highway originally started. A Cubs game will also be part of that trip. 

Speaking of baseball, Litchfield turns out to be the home town of Chicago White Sox Hall of Fame catcher Ray Schalk, who preceded Sherm Lollar by 25-years behind the plate at Comiskey Park.  Both were known for their defense, but Sherm never made it to Cooperstown (yet). Ray made his debut with the Sox on August 11, 1912 and played in the 1919 World Series loss that became known as the “Black Sox Scandal.” He also coached the Chicago Cubs in 1930 & 1931, and served as a scout for the team in 1944, and spent the last 18 years of his career as the baseball coach for the Purdue Boilermakers.

The drive to and from St. Louis passed through Indianapolis, Rochester, Kokomo, and Decatur, Illinois. We stayed two nights with my wife’s sister, one night in a Quality Inn, and 5 nights in a variety of Marriott properties, using a bank of points I received for joining the Marriott Vacation Club. My wife claims that I love my Marriott points more than her, so I wrote this poem to recap our adventure:

Marriott Tour 

A week together,

Back Home Again.

It ends with the Cubs,

Who pulled off a win.

.

Their “Arch rival,”

Didn’t play well.

All that Cardinal red,

Randy and Noelle.

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Started and ended,

With nights at The Grand.

Would have rather,

Had our toes in the sand.

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Mom business,

Had us on the run.

Errands and Appointments,

Were not much fun.

.

But there were moments,

Like meeting Cole.

And dinner with friends,

Your fav Dover Sole.

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Blasts from the past,

More plans for travel.

Cemetery moments,

Emotions unravel.

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A run on the Nickel Plate,

And through the canals.

Food and beer,

With my old pals.

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Two Dyer nights,

Plenty of wine.

Murphy’s for steak,

Family time.

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Ribs on the grill,

And at the Roadhouse.

Dietary support,

From your Spouse.

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Some bad Chinese,

Near the Courtyard Kokomo.

Plus a ton of silver,

In our luggage to stow.

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A few surprises,

Along the way.

“Would you give up your pay,

For a view of the Bay?”

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Covington Beef House,

The one-hour tower.

Animal Shelter,

Boob-friendly shower.

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A room atop Indy,

Then the fall to Fairfield.

The smell of Decatur,

Great friendship its yield.

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Dinner at R-Bar,

With Ray as our host.

Just one of many a,

Shared Facebook post.

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Kit’s retirement poem,

Talk of Rubberware.

Ninety-three degrees,

Humidity in the air.

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Robbies for a nightcap,

Will we ever return again?

And If we do come back,

We’ll book the Residence Inn.

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Museum in Litchfield.

Route 66 detour.

In my 66th year,

This road is a lure.

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Father’s Day finish,

San Diego’s on our route?

With this Marriott Tour,

The points have run out.

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copyright 2018 johnstonwrites.com