North Country - Wisconsin and Minnesota
Minnesota and Wisconsin

Mid August was hot in Texas. Unusually hot. So we decided to head to Minnesota and Wisconsin for cooler weather. Besides, by this time most schools were in session, but most of the 'touristy' things we wanted to see, like Wisconsin Dells, were still open but not crowded. So bright and early on August 11th we headed north in our Blazer and travel trailer.

The first night's stop was in in Mount Pleasant, Texas at a KOA campground. It's a good KOA with pleasant, roomy sites, but the office/restroom was pure nostalgia. This is how KOA used to build their campgrounds. This one was in perfect condition.

Mount Pleasant KOA
Big Red Barn Entrance

Our second stop was near Carthage, Missouri at the Big Red Barn campground. Another great stop, with large grassy sites. And it was near the old Route 66, so we stayed two nights and did a little "Mother Road" exploring.

Oh, yes. The "Big Red Barn" RV Park really does have a Big Red Barn. It houses the office and store plus restrooms for the tent area, which is just to the right of this picture.

The Big Red Barn
One Holer

No, this isn't the only restroom in the RV park. But I just had to take a picture of this old "One Holer" that the campground owners placed there. It wasn't functional.

We started our Route 66 exploring in Carthage, Missouri. One of the iconic motels is the Boots Motel. Although it now serves as apartments and is still well maintained, restoration to its Route 66 days would certainly be welcomed.

Boots Motel - Carthage, MO
Route 66 Drive-In Theatre

Just west of Carthage on one of the later alignments is this Route 66 Drive-in, restored and updated for today's wide screen films. It's open for business on weekends and was showing "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and "Despicable Me".

From the Drive-in we took an older alignment of Route 66 back toward Carthage. The old highway is well marked in Missouri with signs like this. Nonetheless I managed to get lost a few times.

Historic Route 66 Sign
Route 66 Railroad Bridge

This is an old Route 66 bridge over a railroad. It still carries some traffic on Oak street in Carthage. And the railroad is also still in use. It was hard to believe this was once a major U.S. highway. Oh yes, we did drive across it.

The guide books mentioned a side trip to a moved and reconstructed old town called Red Oak II. On our way, we saw this Art Work built by the artist who moved the town. He called this on his "Flying Crap Duster".

The side trip was about 10 miles but well worth the drive. This old trolley car sports the town name and was made into an antique shop. The artist and his workers are adding more and making changes. Some of the houses that were moved are now lived in.

You can walk through through the town and look at all the reconstruction but don't disturb the residents. This display shows a rusting old airplane, an old sedan and a Ford police car.

With cars, there had to be a gas station. This is a classic "Cottage" Gas Station. With all that well mowed grass on the drive I don't think it does much business.

The road we walked circles a small pond or lake. And what would be a lake without a lake cottage? This one seemed a bit small but maybe that's in keeping with the size of the lake.

Red Oak Lake Cottage
Red Oak Child Care

Finally here's the town jail. Or as the sign says, "Child Care Center - 50 cents per hour". Didn't seem to be any customers the day we were there.

As we left Red Oak II on our way to Springfield we passed this old garage in Heatonville. It's been "rocked", like many on Route 66. Although falling apart it still makes a great Kodak Moment.

Red Oak Lake Cottage
Springfield Steak 'n' Shake

We got to Springfield close to lunch time and as luck would have it Springfield has lots of Steak 'n' Shake restaurants. This one, built in 1961 and right on the old Route 66, is of the "Old Style" design. It brought back memories. And the food was great, as always.

Of course Springfield has lots of other cafes, such as this one, the College Street Cafe just west of downtown. It looks like it used to be a combination restaurant/gas station. And surprisingly, it welcomes smokers!

Springfield Cafe
Springfield Body Shop

Most of the old businesses we look for have something to do with automobile travel and this is no exception. The College Street Body Shop is one of the newer ones, probably built in the later years of Route 66

And finally, the Rock Fountain Court, an old Route 66 motel. This horseshoe shaped collection of individual cabins is toward the west side of Springfield. The units are now apartments.

Horseshoe Motel

After this we went back to the Red Barn for the night and an early start on our way north. We couldn't find a reasonable RV park for the following night, so we stayed at a motel in Osceola, Iowa. It was reasonable, clean and had electrical outlets outside for car heaters in winter. We used one to plug in the trailer so the refrigerator would run overnight. Plus there was a good family restaurant right next door. From there it was on to Minnesota. Click the little right arrow below for this part of our journey.

 
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