On the Road Again...Finally

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After a long winter hiatus from any research trips, writing partner Joe Sonderman and I hit the road last Saturday for a day trip down to Lebanon, Missouri. I'm working on a story for the issue of Show Me Route 66, for which Joe serves as editor. Joe knows Missouri 66 like the back of his hand, but I wanted to collect a little more material and see Lebanon again before I finished the article.
We started off early in the morning, long overdue for a road adventure, but taking the interstate to have maximum time in case we needed it in Lebanon. Lebanon has a very interesting library and museum set-up. They are both located in a former K-Mart store building at 915 S. Jefferson Avenue. The library has a genealogy room with quite a bit of local resource material. And the museum is well done, with a recreated motel room and diner plus many displays of photos and memorabilia. We worked quite awhile in the library, then had another tour of the museum before we left. The gift shop carries a variety of items, including a good stock of Route 66 books – including most of Joe's books. Kudos to Mark Spangler, curator of the museum and local Route 66 go-to person.
On the way back to St. Louis, we took a couple pleasant detours. We went to John's Modern Cabins, a sad sight as these cabins crumble a piece at a time into the earth, the sign still designating the spot that time, highway changes, and travelers have by-passed. Next was Arlington, Missouri, an amazing tiny resort town with a couple large historic buildings intact, hidden neatly away practically right under the interstate. Watch for more on Arlington.

A shot of John's Modern Cabins Saturday captured by Joe Sondeman.


A trip through Missouri is hardly, well,...a trip through Missouri...without a stop at Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q in Cuba, right along old 66 by the Wagon Wheel Motel. The food here has not disappointed me yet, and it was very good that day. Then it was time to head for home – St. Louis for Joe, Edwardsville for me. First trip of the year, but it sure won't be the last.

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