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.
Antiquing in Lebanon, MO
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.
Meramac Caverns Barn Signs
We then got on the road and using my Route 66: EZ66 GUIDE
World’s Largest Gift Shop
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!
Hubble Telescope
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.
Vintage Sign: Rest Haven Court
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.
Steak N Shake
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.
Boots Motel in Carthage, MO
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.
Route 66 Drive-In Movie Theater
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!
Planning your own Route 66 Road Trip? I used the Route 66: EZ66 Guide for Travelers to plan our trip and I highly, highly, highly (I truly cannot emphasize it enough) recommend the book/maps if you’re planning to drive most of Route 66 turn-by-turn – meaning all of the historic route, no modern-day highways.
Follow along on the rest of our Route 66 Road Trip with my day by day guide:
Day 1: Chicago, IL to Springfield, IL
Day 2: Springfield, IL to St. Louis, MO
Day 3: St Louis, MO to Lebanon, MO
Day 4: Lebanon, MO to Carthage, MO
Day 5: Carthage, MO, to Oklahoma City, OK
Day 6: Oklahoma City, OK, to Shamrock, TX
Day 7: Shamrock, TX to Amarillo, TX
Day 8: Amarillo, TX to Tucumcari, NM
Day 8: I gave Tucumcari it’s own post because I was in neon sign heaven!
Day 9: Tucumcari, NM to Santa Fe, NM
Day 10: Santa Fe, NM to Albuquerque, NM
Day 11: Albuquerque, NM to Gallup, NM
Day 12: Gallup, NM to Holbrook, AZ
Day 13: Holbrook, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ
Day 14: Flagstaff, AZ to Kingman, AZ
Day 15: Kingman, AZ to Rialto, CA
Day 16: Rialto, CA to Pasadena, CA
Day 17: Pasadena, CA to Santa Monica, CA
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Land Acknowledgement
Salty Canary wants to acknowledge that we live, operate, gather, and benefit every day on the traditional stolen lands of several Indigenous peoples and nations including the Tongva (Gabrieleno), Kizh (Gabrieleno), Chumash, Popeloutchom (Amah Mutsun), Ohlone, Awaswas, and Fernandeño Tataviam peoples who have stewarded the lands and waterways throughout their many generations in what is now the state of California.
I wanted to personally acknowledge these Indigenous people and nations and both their commitment and current contributions to the land with a donation to the American Indian College Fund because acknowledgment without action does not begin to address the systemic issues facing Indigenous people. If you feel as though you benefit from the land you’re living on or traveling to and you have the means, I kindly ask that you donate at least $1 to a Native-led organization such as the Native American Rights Fund or the American Indian College Fund.
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 […]