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Saturday, August 15, 2026

Celebrating the Centennial of Route 66 - The Middle Part

Celebrating the Centennial of Route 66 - The Midpoint

MIDDLE STATES OF ROUTE 66: Oklahoma, Texas

If you have ever wondered how Route 66 acquired the nickname “The Mother Road”, here is the backstory!

The nickname came from author John Steinbeck. He coined the term in his 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Grapes of Wrath, to describe the highway as a primary lifeline for Dust Bowl refugees migrating west to California.

OKLAHOMA: 432 miles - The State with the Longest Stretch of Route 66

The state of Oklahoma has the longest continuous stretch of the Mother Road of any of the 8 states it passes through. The route enters the state in the northeast corner near Quapaw, runs southwest through Tulsa and Oklahoma City, and exits near Texola.

A few of the landmarks to visit as you travel on your Route 66 road trip include:

Blue Whale of Catoosa: This is a quirky, iconic roadside attraction built in the 1970s. It is perfect for photos. It is located just east of Tulsa at Catoosa, Ok. The attraction is quite literally a ‘blue whale’ built of concrete and iron. This waterfront structure has become one of the most recognizable attractions on old Route 66.
The Golden Driller in Tulsa is a 76-foot statue of an oil worker. It was originally erected for the 1953 International Petroleum Exposition. The statue depicts an oil worker leaning on an oil derrick. It is the seventh-tallest statue in the United States.
The Arcadia (OK) Round Barn was built by a local farmer in 1896 and has become one of the landmark tourist attractions along the stretch of Route 66 in Oklahoma near Oklahoma City. . It has a unique architecture.
National Route 66 Museum Complex in Elk City, OK features exhibits, classic cars, and a peek into the golden age of American road trips. Another interesting tourist stop on your Oklahoma Route 66 road trip.

TEXAS - 186 Miles - The State with the Midpoint of Route 66

Route 66 across Texas generally parallels Interstate 40. The route features quirky art installations, ghost towns, and classic diners, with Amarillo serving as the major hub along the way.

Start by visiting the restored Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café in Shamrock. Then on to McClean, Texas to see the Devil's Rope Museum, which showcases a massive, quirky collection of barbed wire, and the first Phillips 66 station in Texas.

MIDPOINT: The official geo-mathematical midpoint of historic Route 66 is located in Adrian, Texas, at exactly 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Los Angeles.

In Amarillo you will find 13 blocks of vintage architecture, as well as antique shops and local dining. Don’t miss the infamous Cadillac Ranch, then treat yourself to a massive steak at The Big Texan Steak Ranch.

Summary

Having finished the middle section of your road trip of Route 66, you will next enter the last stretch of the three western states, taking you to the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica.

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Route 66 Centennial - The Beginning

There is a legendary highway in the United States known as the “Mother Road”. It was established in 1926 and stretches 2,448 miles from its beginning in Chicago, Illinois to its end at the Santa Monica Pier in Southern California. This iconic highway is best known as “Route 66”.

This highway was built to serve as a primary route for westward migration and tourism. While officially decommissioned in 1985, its popularity continues as a popular route for tourists and visitors.

Now, in 2026, we are celebrating the route’s Centennial, with events and celebrations occurring throughout the eight states Route 66 covers. The celebrations include local town festivals, museum exhibitions and many other events.

This page is the beginning, with the middle and the end to follow in subsequent pages.

Route 66 Centennial - The Beginning

Illinois, Missouri, Kansas

Driving the first three states of Historic Route 66 takes you from the bustling streets of Chicago through the rolling Ozarks of Missouri, and into the brief but beautifully preserved vintage stretch of Kansas.

The original beginning of Route 66 was at Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue, right by Grant Park. Now, in 2026, the Centennial celebration for Route 66 has designated the Navy Pier as Chicago’s Pier-to-Pier Start, a symbolic launch point for Route 66's 100th anniversary. The extension creates a scenic "pier-to-pier" journey linking Lake Michigan directly to California's Santa Monica Pier.

ILLINOIS - 301 Miles - Historic Points

Iconic restaurant on Route 66

Illinois has many points of interest along Route 66. They include the historic Old Log Cabin Inn in Pontiac, which is one of the oldest continually operating restaurants on the Mother Road.

Pontiac also has the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum which features classic cars, memorabilia, and the largest collection of Route 66 artifacts in the country. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Gemini Giant at Wilmington, IL is a famous 30-foot-tall fiberglass "Muffler Man" in a space suit, a much photographed statue on the road.

Springfield, Illinois has the Shea’s Gas Station Museum, offering a massive collection of vintage neon signs and petroliana.

Classic highway memorabilia, along with old VW bugs, can be seen at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch (along with real rabbits!).

MISSOURI - 317 Miles - Iconic Points on Route 66

Chain of Rocks Bridge

Historic Route 66 leaves Illinois and enters Missouri by crossing the Mississippi River. The iconic crossing for the Mother Road is the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which connects Madison, Illinois, directly to the northern edge of St. Louis, Missouri.

Residents of St. Louis, Missouri regularly travel along portions of Route 66 in their daily commutes as it passes through the city.

Missouri has often been called the "Birthplace of Route 66" because its official name was conceived in Springfield in 1926. There are multiple places to visit along this iconic highway, including the historic Ozark attractions,the Meramec Caverns in Stanton and the Wagon wheel Motel in Cuba, MO, which is the oldest continuously operating motel on Route 66.

KANSAS - 13 Miles - Short, But With Much to See

Eisler's in Riverton, Kansas

Kansas has just a tiny portion of Route 66, just 13 miles long ~ the shortest route of the eight states. It stretches across the SE corner of Cherokee County. While short, there is a must-see stop in Galena where you will find a restored 1923 Kan-O-Tex service station featuring the International Harvester boom truck that inspired the character "Mater" from Disney's Cars.

You can also stop by the Old Riverton Store (established in 1925), known as one of the longest continuously operating grocery stores on the entire route, or check out the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum to dive into local history and outlaw lore.

Summary

From The Navy Pier (beginning) in Chicago, Route 66 travels through Illinois, Missouri and a short stretch of Kansas. Continue your journey along “The Main Street of America” with the links below.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 - Reviewed

The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 is the world's largest operating steam engine. The Big Boy is currently on a coast-to-coast tour as part of America's 250th anniversary.

The Big Boy made one of its stops in Ripley, New York, only 30 minutes from where we live. So, we made the short trip to see this historic steam engine.

The town of Ripley and Chautauqua County did an amazing job of organizing this event. We drove to a small church just outside Ripley and boarded a shuttle into town for the event. There had to be more than 3,000 people there. We arrived early enough to be right up front for an amazing view of the Big Boy.

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 History:

The Big Boy was built in 1941 by The American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York. It was designed for one purpose: moving enormous freight trains through the mountains of Utah and Wyoming. The Big Boy was created for the Union Pacific Railroad to handle heavy loads over steep grades.

The Boy was retired and on display in California as part of railroad history. In 2013, Union Pacicific reacquired the Big Boy and began to restore it, and in 2019, the Big Boy moved under its own power again.

Its massive size is something to see at 130 ft. long and weighing 1.2 million pounds. This was a true adventure to see a part of railroad history in action, and a true engineering marvel.

A video of the Ripley, New York, visit, along with an interview with the Big Boy engineer. The train stopped here for 30 minutes, and we had the opportunity of watching the crew perform maintenance.

Even if you're not a train enthusiast, this is well worth a trip to see part of history in action. Below is the Union Pacific Big Boy tour schedule. If it is coming anywhere near you, it is well worth the trip. Big Boy 4014 Tour Schedule.

Big Boy 4014 Train 4th of July 250 Years Retro Tee 250th Anniversary USA Big Boy 4014 Train Vintage US Flag T-Shirt Nifeliz Big Boy Locomotive, Articulated Steam Locomotive Building Block Set, Legendary Steam Train Display Kit for Gift Giving (1,818 Pieces)Kato USA Inc. N Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive #4014 KAT1264014 N Locomotives

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Thursday, June 11, 2026

Sunflower Hill Farm

Beautiful Sunflower Silos

In this post I will be reviewing my visit to Sunflower Hill Farm and the beautiful silos painted in sunflowers that are nearby.

Sunflower Hill Farm

My cousin and I were looking for a good place to meet for lunch on a sunny afternoon in May. I mentioned I wanted to photograph the painted sunflower silos in the wine country near us and she suggested a nearby cafe at Sunflower Hill Farms. It was an excellent choice. Our food was great and the whole place was a great relaxing way to spend the afternoon.

We ate on the patio and and I enjoyed a delicious veggie grilled cheese, it consisted of provolone and cheddar cheese along with mushrooms, peppers, spinach and onions, all grilled on sourdough bread. Yummy.

Sunflower Hill Farm is a wonderful event space too. The farm is located on 130 acres. Along with the cafe there is a shop with homemade items on sale. There is also a nursery on the property and a large event space. The farm has become a delightful wedding and event space. As you can see in the photo below, the event area sits up on the hill overlooking the Missouri river valley.

Sunflower Hill Farms is located at 245 Terry Road in Augusta, Missouri. On their website www.sunflowerhillfarm.com they have listed lots of information about their events, calendar, and a menu from the cafe. If you are in the area, I would highly recommend this venue. Here are a few of my photos.

Painted Silos

These beautiful silos were commissioned by the owners of the Sunflower Hill Farm. They are located near the Katy Trail just south of the entrance to the farm. It is at mile marker 661.6 on the Katy Trail. They were painted by artist Anne Molasky and her painting partner Kim Alsop and were finished in the fall of 2023.

These vibrant sunflower paintings are a nice stop for people along the Katy Trail. There is also acess to them off of Hwy 94 halfway between Defiance and Augusta deep in the heart of Missouri Wine Country.

I stopped to visit and take photographs of these beautiful works of art just before I visited Sunflower Hill Farms. They are quite amazing to look at from all different angles. I would have loved to see them as they were being painted. Very talented artists!

Zazzle Products

Here is a link to a greeting card made from my sunflower silos photograph.

Sunflower Silo Greeting Card

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Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Preparing For That Trip of a Lifetime ~ From the Heart

In 2025 we decided that we would finally go on a trip that we both were thinking about! We are going on a River Cruise! Yes, you heard me right, a River Cruise. Now you might not think that is too exciting, but, I tell you, I'm worried.

I get very sea sick and the thought of being on water for 2 weeks just doesn't thrill me! I do want to go and see all the spots where we will be stopping along the way. So what should I do about my worry?

I've been told by many people who have done this that because it's a river cruise, I won't have to worry about sea sickness. There is nothing to cruising on a river compared to cruising on the open seas. Rivers apparently don't have quite the same kind of movement. My problem is that once I'm on board, if I do get seasick, I need to be prepared!

After all once you are on-board, you can't just run out to the store for the Gravol/Dramamine or Patches that will prevent that feeling. So I will be preparing myself for the worst possible scenario and hope for the best.

What is amazing to me is that there are so many ways to help people with travel sickness. Even if you do happen to get sick, you can be prepared for that with disposable Barf Bags.

Personally, for myself, I am planning on both the patches and the Dramamine. The only problem with the patches is that I have really short hair and the patches go behind your ear, so they will be somewhat visible. But the alternative is not acceptable, so I will make due with people knowing that I have a very sensitive stomach.

I have tried the motion sickness bands on this page for car sickness and for me they did not work very well, so I will pass on that method. They are one of the cheapest aids if you are willing to give them a try.

I don't think I will purchase the Electronic wristband as it is rather pricey and I don't travel that much to make it affordable. But for those of you who do travel a lot, this might also be an option you would consider.

All the customer reviews on Amazon, rate all of these methods of motion sickness as over 4.5 stars to 5 stars! So I know that they have been tested and found to be worthwhile by many users.

Deep down I'm hoping that all my friends that promise me I won't get sick on the river, will be right and I will have prepared for nothing. But I would rather be ready and able to cope than take my chances on being one very sick passenger.

It's Bon Voyage for me and I'll be back in a few weeks to let you know how everything went! Till then Toodle-Loo!

**I am not a doctor, so if you have great concerns please seek medical assisstance.

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Thursday, November 27, 2025

An Autumn Visit to Veterans Tribute Park

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the USA and first of all I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from the staff at Review This. We thank each and every one of you for your support over the years. Your support for Review This Blogs is what makes us successful. Thank you!

Veterans Tribute Park

Last week I took a group that I mentor to take photographs at our local Veterans Tribute Park. We had been there last May, and I wrote a review at that time. I have listed a link to it at the end of this article. We enjoyed the park so much that we decided we would like to go to it again in the autumn when all the fall colors would be out. The week before we were to go, we had a hard freeze so many of the color was depleted and yet t
here were lots of beautiful scenes to photograph. The day we went was a perfect day weatherwise and we enjoyed walking through the park and capturing the beauty of the season on our cameras.

Photos from our Visit

This photo is of some of the grasses that adorn the fall landscape.

In this photo I was demonstrating to the group the use of natural framing of a subject by looking through the grasses to capture the lake in the background.

In this photo we zoomed in to capture the orange trees surrounding the lake. You will note that many of the trees in the background had already lost their leaves, but it still gives a nice framing for the lake.

There was a bridge that went down toward the lake. It provided a nice overlook to the lakes. I showed everyone how when they turned around and showed the path going up to the lake it gave a leading line to the trees beyond.

Zooming in for a close-up photo of fall leaves makes a pretty photo.

Veterans Tribute Park in the Spring

Here is a review I wrote on our spring visit to the park.

Veterans Tribute Park in the Spring

Fall Designs from my photos on Zazzle

Autumn Beauty

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Saturday, November 8, 2025

Reviewing Gramping Trips - Building Lifetime Memories

Definition of Gramping: A special trip where grandparents and grandchildren vacation or travel together without the ‘Mid-Gen’ (parents) as a way to enhance and strengthen intergenerational bonds. While doing so, they share quality time and create lasting memories.

An image of Grandma and Grandchild hiking in the woods.

Gramping - A Fun Adventure

Having had my own gramping trips with my beloved maternal grandparents as a child, and also having now experienced the other end of the spectrum ~ as a grandparent interacting with a grandchild one-on-one, I can fully attest to the fact that ‘Gramping’ is a fantastic experience.

Skip-Generation Travel

Image of a grandmother and granddaughter exploring the city together

This new travel trend has recently become popular, even though it is something that has been around for generations, long before someone gave a ‘name’ to it. :)

Gramping trips can be as simple as a day trip to a local museum, or as extensive as a journey to another country. There is no limit to the length and type of trips ‘gramps/grams’ and ‘grands’ can take together. The nicest part of ‘gramping’ is the focus it puts on grandparent-grandchild relationships.

Sharing My ‘Gramping’ Memories As Examples of What Gramping Can Be

My Childhood Gramping Experience

When I was 14 (quite a few decades ago) and my brother was 13, my grandparents took us on a trip to New York City. My grandfather had a business meeting, but the rest of the time was exploring an amazing city we had never seen. To this day I remember every single moment of that trip, from the train ride from our home in western New York State to the unbelievable immensity of Grand Central Station, to the ride on the Staten Island Ferry, to seeing the Statue of Liberty, to viewing the city from the top of the Empire State Building. Memories, indeed, remain with you for a lifetime.

My Children’s Childhood Gramping Experiences

When my own children were growing up, my parents decided that they wanted to spend individual time with each of my three youngsters. They picked age 12 as a time old enough to fly alone and flew my oldest son from our home (at that time) in South Carolina to their home in New York State. He spent a month with the grandparents and loved every minute of his trip.

In their time, his brother and sister had similar trips with the grandparents.

Me, as a Grandmother

Grandson Ryan on a visit to grandma's, playing a card game.

Over the years I have had many day-trips with my grandchildren, but the first real and extended ‘gramping’ trip occurred quite accidentally. I was living in Georgia at the time (in my retirement years) and took a trip to Iowa to visit my oldest son and daughter-in-law. Grandson Ryan, 14 at the time, was bored that summer. He was too young to get a job, not old enough to drive, and both parents worked, so there was not a lot for him to do.

One afternoon my DIL Kathie and I were chatting and Ryan came into the room to listen in. He kept interrupting with little funny lines as only young teenagers can do. Finally, his mom said (in mock frustration), “why don’t you just take Ryan back home with you”. I looked over at my grandson; he looked at me, and I thought ‘why not?’. So I said ‘OK’. It was all sort of ‘off the cuff’, but the more we all thought about it, it really did sound like a good idea. After a few discussions to work out details, at the end of my visit, Ryan came back to Georgia with me for over three weeks.

As it turned out, he was a really fun travel companion and good company. We first drove from Iowa to my daughter’s place in St. Louis, staying overnight so Ryan could see the famous St. Louis Arch and get to visit with his Aunt & Uncle. Then back home in coastal Georgia, we had many days of beach time on Tybee Island, daily swims in my apartment pool, day trips to Savannah to see the sights, visit museums, eat out, and more. Evenings we played games and visited and planned what we would do the next day. He was an absolute joy to have around. I know Ryan enjoyed his trip as much as I enjoyed his company because nearly 10 years later he is still talking about it.

At the end of the visit, I was on my way to Ohio to visit another son and met Ryan’s parents half-way to return him. A very happy and satisfying ‘gramping’ trip on both sides.

Summary

If you ever get the opportunity to spend individual ‘gramping’ time (short or long) with your grandparent/grandchild, do not pass it up. You will never regret it.

PS: Gramping can also refer to a type of family holiday where grandparents, parents, and children (three generations) go camping or on a similar holiday together. But the most special moments, for both grandparent and grandchild, is when just these two generations spend time together.

*Gramping Trips review written by Wednesday Elf

+Intro and Second Image are created with AI. Third image is a personal photo by Wednesday Elf

'Gramping' - Grandchildren/Grandparent Adventures

Treasured Travels: A Grandparent- Grandchild Travel and Memory JournalCheck Price Forever Connected: Adventures and Activities with GrandchildrenCheck Price On-The-Go Amusements: 50 Activities to Share with GrandkidsCheck Price

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Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Fishing Lake Erie with Spooled Up Charters

Suppose you're looking for a fishing experience that combines excitement, challenge, and a healthy dose of relaxation. In that case, Lake Erie walleye fishing delivers all three with Captain Dan Auria and Spooled Up Charters.

Lake Erie Fishing with Spooled Up Charters

This is a special family memory with my grandsons that I will have forever. Our four-hour trip started at 3:30 p.m. from Barcelona Harbor, out of Westfield, New York. We caught our walleye limit in just over 3 hours in 80 to 90 feet of water, thanks to Captain Dan.

Tyler landed the first fish of the day

Bobby got the biggest fish of the day. A 5-pounder.

Lake Erie is one of the most productive freshwater lakes in North America, and Captain Dan Auria of Spooled Up Charters knows where the fish are.

I got the 3rd fish of the day.

Everyone was a bit hungry when we got home. Jamie came over with some Shake-N-Bake and fried up some of our catch.

Yes, we were eating fresh walleye at 9:00 PM.

After the trip, Captain Dan takes the time to fillet your fish and pack it in ice. So, bring a cooler with ice for after your trip to bring home your catch. You will also want to bring a small cooler with some snacks and drinks.

About Captain Dan Auria of Spooled Up Charters:

Captain Dan Auria is a licensed and insured Coast Guard Captain with over 25 years of experience.

If you live in the Western New York area, or plan to travel here and want a fishing experience of your life, call Spooled Up Charters and Captain Dan to book your fishing trip.

Click any of the highlighted links for the Spooled Up Charters web page to get all the information to plan your fishing trip.

Check out my recipe for Broiled Walleye here:

Broiled Walleye Fillets

Find more travel on ReviewThisReviews here:

ReviewThisTravel.com

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