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Route 66 Road Trip Day 4: Lebanon to Carthage

Day 4 of our Route 66 Road Trip was a really fun day and was probably one of my favorite days along the Mother Road. Day 4 took us from Lebanon, Missouri to Carthage, Missouri and included a lot of antiquing, some great Meramac Cavern barn signs, some tourist traps, vintage neon signs, lunch at a Steak N Shake, and our stop for the night at the Boots Motel and going for a double feature at the Route 66 Drive-In Movie Theater.

Route 66 Road Trip Day 4: Lebanon to Carthage

It was only when we were checking out to leave the Munger Moss that I noticed the brightly colored Starlite Lanes bowling alley across the street. It’s got some major color blocking going on. I don’t know why I didn’t notice it sooner. 

We then started our day by doing some major antiquing in Lebanon. The little town has several large antique malls. Our first stop was Heartland Antique Mall. We then drove over to Jonesy’s Antiques (TEMPORARILY CLOSED). And then Historic Route 66 Antique Mall. I picked up several things including a pink glass rolling pin, some dishes, and some Christmas gifts, but I also left behind quite a few regrets.

We then got on the road and using my Route 66: EZ66 GUIDE we were able to spot some East-bound Meramac Caverns barn signs. Can you tell I’m obsessed with these barn billboards?

And how could we NOT stop at the World’s Largest Gift Shop? I love reading the Tripadvisor reviews for it. Some people have really high expectations. I was happily surprised. Although, I am confused which is bigger, this gift shop, or the Bonanza Gift Shop in Las Vegas. Oh well, we picked up some fudge from their Candy Factory (thank god I didn’t see the chocolate covered Twinkies until after we paid) and then got back on the road.

Of course I stopped to photograph another fiberglass cow!

And we drove through Marshfield to see a replica of the Hubble Telescope. Edwin Hubble was a native of Marshfield. He probably hated it there.

 

In Springfield, we stopped to photograph the Rest Haven Court sign. It is said that the Munger Moss‘s neon sign is a replica of this one, but I think the Munger Moss’s is prettier.

 

We then drove up the street to an original, old-style Steak N Shake for lunch. I’m not exactly sure what language “Takhomasak” is in. The burger was good, but the Mister and I don’t see what the fuss is. In N Out is better. Although I do wish In N Out would put bacon on their burgers.

We then made it to Carthage to check into our room at the Boots Motel.

We met Debbie D, the on-site innkeeper, and (as usual) she is a character! She told us all about the history of the Boots Motel, showed us the 3 other restored motel rooms, talked about the architecture, and told us about what we should do in Carthage.

 

And sure enough, there is a radio in every room and it was on when we entered.

But we couldn’t go and do any sight-seeing that night, because I was taking the husband to the Route 66 Drive-In Movie Theater. It was his very first time at a drive-in movie theater and he LOVED it! I was surprised that the food was still inexpensive. We got hot dogs, popcorn, candy, and sodas and it did not break the bank!

 

Follow along on our Route 66 Road Trip turn by turn along the Mother Road from Chicago to Los Angeles! Check out the other days right here:

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Route 66 Day 5: Carthage to OK City

Saturday 11th of October 2014

[…] early start, but it was a little hard to do after staying up and watching a double feature at the drive-in. But we got as early of a start as we could and set off for Kansas! Route 66 only passes through 11 […]