This is our car, a Ford Explorer, at the first stop - the Polk-a-Dot drive in on Route 66. You can see Betty Boop in the background.

Just to show we are on the right road here is one of the signs. In Illinois the directions for Route 66 are shown clearly. There is hardly anyone on the road itself as in this area it runs directly beside Interstate 55.

In the Route 66 Welcome Centre in Joliet I met up with the Blues Brothers, Jake and Elwood. Joliet Jake took his name from Joliet prison.

Also in the Welcome Centre, Glenys and I sat watching the video on Route 66 sat on a Cadillac settee.

We were given lots of information by Elaine, a very helpful lady in the centre. Afterwards she asked us to sign her Route 66 shield.

www.jolietmuseum.org

This is one of the most famous sights on Route 66 in Wilmington - the Gemini Giant. He was originally a Muffler Man, advertising exhaust systems in the 50's and 60's but was given a make-over when the US began to explore space.

Along this section of the Route, there are a number of old gas stations that have been fully restored by volunteers. This one is in Cayuga and I am relaxing in the shade.