Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois

When I was doing the A to Z Challenge last month, my letter 'R' was for 'Route 66'.  I mentioned that I had driven it in 1975 from San Bernardino, CA to St. Louis, MO.  Well, on my trip last week I drove it from Springfield, Illinois to Joliet.  Over the next few Saturdays, I will post pictures from various cities on the Route, letting them tell their own story.  First up is Atlanta, Illinois.

Bunyon's Statue

 

 Click photo to read.

 

 

One of many murals on buildings along the Route.  More about these next week.

 

Inside the Palm's Grill Cafe

 

Inside Gunnar Mast's Trading Post

 

 

Atlanta Park

 

Heading to Funk's Grove in Shirley to buy maple sirip.  And no, I did not misspell it.

 

 

Next stop, Pontiac.

 

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.



O is for Oak Park, Illinois

Oak Park, Illinois is one of my favorite places to visit.  I actually think I have visited there more than any other place on earth.  That is because it is the home of Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio (below) and where many of his designs were built. 

For starters, it is close to Chicago.  If you are staying in the Windy City (which originally referred to their politicians, lol), you can easily take the Green Line Train right into the center of town.   Walk a block up to the Visitors Center on Lake Street to get a map and get acquainted with what awaits.

Of course, for me, that is the walking tour of homes in the area.  You can go at a leisurely pace and find out about these beautiful places designed by Wright and others.  If I had to pick a favorite Wright home in this city, I think it would be the Thomas House, which I have had the pleasure of touring.

Every May, the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust sponsors a home tour of select homes.  This year it is May 18 and tickets are still available.  Maybe I will see you there.




Oak Park is also the home of Unity Temple, where Mr. Wright was a member.  This picture of the interior (from Wikipedia, thank you very much) gives you an idea of its grandeur.

 

There is another wonderful old home called The Pleasant Home that is open for tours and the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Museum below.

 

Of course, one can shop in Oak Park, if that is your thing.  Just walk up and down Lake Street.  They even have a Penzeys Spice Co there.

 

One can also eat.  There is a wonderful place that I enjoy called Marion Street Cheese Market.

The Brookfield Zoo is nearby for animal lovers and the Garfield Park Conservatory for plant lovers.

 

If you are a fan of architecture at all, this is a must see area.  (But if you are a fan, then you probably already know that.)  I have a Pinterest Board filled with Frank Lloyd Wright homes, as do many other pinners.  I'll be taking lots of pictures on my next trip and you can read about the trip right here next month.

O is also for Ontario, Orlando, Oregon, Oklahoma