Chillin out in Springfield after day 1 on route 66

Freds' Best Bear Bits Day 1 on Route 66

Chicago to Springfield IL.

Setting off from Adams Street in Downtown Chicago, 2300 miles to go.

A huge breakfast at Lou Mtichells' Diner set me up for the day.

Am I a time travelling bear? Is this the 1930's? 

A deserted gas station outside Dwight IL. The shop and workshop were full of authentic items from the time.

Small bear complex. Am I a tiny bear or is he a massive man carrying a space rocket?Fred meeting the Gemini Giant muffler man outside The Launch Pad Diner, Wilmington IL.

 The Route 66 Hotel and Conference Centre, Springfield IL is our first nights' stopover. A route 66 museum, bar and diner kept us in the mood for more Mother Road experiences on day 2. Goodbye Illinois, hello Missouri. The journey isnt about the destination, its about the direction. Go West young bear.

Day 1, Route 66, Pontiac, IL.

Lunchtime at the Old Log Cabin, Pontiac IL.
Great food, great people and great coffee.

Fred has been right up the Willis

102 Floors above downtown Chicago, the Willis Tower (Sears Tower to you and me) we saw some pretty impressive snowy views across Illinois.

Time for a coffee and cinnamon muffin in The Corner Bakery (free wi-fi) before we head off to Midway Airport on the 'L' train to pick up our car.

Sweet home Chicago

Saturday in Chicago was a fantastic day. Starting with a trolley bus ride round the city. An open top bus in freezing weather was challenging but to be honest after a week of similar conditions the three of us are getting used to it now.
Chicago is a beautiful city, lots of open spaces, great architecture and hundreds of eateries.
Our evening entertainment was provided by Blue Man Group, what a brilliant show!
If ever you get the chance to see them, GO. You wont regret it.
Later we headed to the world famous Buddy Guys' Legends Club for some proper Chicago Blues. Nora Jean Wallace was headlining, ( No, we'd not heard of her either) but my word she could knock out a tune. Think of Arethea in the Blues Brothers and you wont be far of it. A perfect way to end a perfect day in the Windy City.
Fred loves the Blues.

Just finished our breakfast, Skydeck at the Willis Tower this morning then picking up our car this afternoon ready to start our Route 66 adventure tomorrow.
At least we've found the starting point.

See you on the Mother Road soon.

Fred sings the blues

Woke up this mornin', da da da da da
Pulled back the curtains da da da da da
Looked out my window, da da da da da
This is what I saw,

Im singin' the Chicago blues but the cities turned white.
Freds' not a polar, im a regular bear,
Aint used to no snowfall,
Got no boots to wear,
Oh, Freds' singin' the Chicago blues.

So, this has happened.
Not part of our plans for today but we'll go with it.

Fred is in the Windy City

Hello Chicago.
After a close call catching our flight from JFK last night we finally arrived in Chicago Town. Friday night traffic out of Manhatten meant we made our flight with 10 minutes to spare.
The Congress Plaza Hotel is trying to charge 10 bucks a day to use their wi-fi. Fred doesnt pay to blog, so we're all sat in the diner next door where the waitress was happy to provide the password for theirs. Happy connected Bear.
Other than wi-fi issues the hotel is very grand. Large rooms and a bed big enough for a dozen friendly bears.

Heres a final pic from NYC, posing outside Madison Square Garden on the steps of the largest Post Office I've ever seen.

Gotta go now, much exploring to be done.

Freds friendly advice for the people of New York

So I've been in New York nearly a week now and feel like I'm almost a local here. Before I leave this place though I feel it is my duty to pass on a few thoughts to you lovely people that I think will help this place run just that little bit smoother.

1. Manhatten is busy, it cant be helped, there are alot of people trying to move around on an island thats not much bigger than Portland. The traffic is bad. Be patient guys, you'll get there in the end. LEANING ON YOUR HORN WILL NOT MAKE THAT RED LIGHT GREEN, Chill out.
2. Everyone in Manhatten needs a job, bills to pay, I understand that. Some people earn fortunes sat at their desk 100 floors above the madness. Others are less fortunate and have to try and earn money from the millions of tourists that come here. Here's some Fred advice if your a 4ft tall Asian lady in Times Square. DONT DRESS UP AS CHEWBACCA AND EXPECT PEOPLE TO GIVE YOU MONEY FOR PHOTOS, you look ridiculous, save up and get a Minion suit. Far more profitable.
3. Garbage collectors and delivery guys of Manhatten. Thats a very demanding job you have in a hostile enviroment, I understand that. But please, if you must empty the bins at 4am PLEASE DO IT QUIETLY.
4. Bus Tour operators of Manhatten. Your buses are a great way of seeing the city, I have enjoyed your tours myself this week but please think of a way of identifying who already has tickets, after the first 25 times explaining to your ticket agents that I already have a ticket my patience was wearing thin.

Having said these things New York is a fantastic place with fantastic people and I have had a freakin' awesome time, but today I must leave and move on to Chicago. City of Pizzas, Coffee and .... Wind.
Route 66 begins in Chicago and to be honest I cant wait.