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Back to the world of work -- in Joplin, Missouri!  The Mother Road goes through Joplin and is immortalized with a park beside the Pearl Brothers Hardware Store.  The park includes half of a red Corvette and a stylized record of "Get Your Kicks."  I think my daddy had that 1948 Buick.

Route 66 Mural Park
Joplin, Missouri

vacancy

 

Today I traveled Historic Route 66 in Amarillo from west to east.  I really didn't get many "kicks" on this Route 66.  The journey was more despairing than nostalgic.  Except for a few blocks with spruced up buildings and antique shops, the "mother road" was showing its age. Newer businesses were established a few blocks south along I-40. Bars, taquerias and motorcycle shops seemed to predominate along the historic route.  The mid-century motor courts had mostly turned into cheap apartments and budget motels. The Cowboy Motel was about the only vintage sign I saw.  And nowhere did I see Buz and Tod in their Corvette.

 

Cowboy Motel

3619 Amarillo Boulevard East (Route 66)

Amarillo, Texas