I Drive a 55

After having the rear-end refreshed, I picked up The 55 Wednesday morning.
And by refreshed, I mean we found a stock carrier – rebuilt it and jammed it in just so I could limp it Ohio.
Thursday morning I fueled up and headed East on I-70 towards Kansas.
The first thing I noticed was the new rear-gear.
I went from a 3.70 to a 3.20-something and now we were flying.
Changing out the gear dropped the engine rpm’s at cruising speed noticeably.
Now, at 2500 rpm I’m doing 85 mph.
It’s a highway cruising machine.
My first stop was Burlington, Colorado for another batwing.

I really dig these old gas stations.
They used to be everywhere.
Now you have to seek them out.
From Burlington, CO to the home state of Dwight D. Eisenhower is just over 10 miles.

President Eisenhower was the champion of the Interstate Highway System so it’s named after him.
Once I got into Kansas it started to rain.
And rain and rain and rain…
I fueled up in Quinter, Kansas and saw this abandoned gas station right across the street.

A few miles down the road is Al’s Chickenette in Hays, KS.

Unfortunately Al’s Chickenette is closed – but that sign still stands tall.
When I got to Salina it was time for lunch.
I stopped by the Cozy Inn for a bag of burgers.

It’s been there for 99 years and it didn’t disappoint.
I gotta bag of six sliders, a bag of chips and a Mountain Dew in a can.
If you’re on a road-trip and you’re within 6-hours of Abilene, KS – you’ve gotta stop by and see the worlds largest spur.

#worldslargestspur
In Lawrence I found this Mid-Century Masterpiece.

The Dean House.
Designed by Professor Donald Dean and built in 1956. it’s the first midcentury residential property to be listed on the National and Kansas Historic Registers in the State of Kansas.
And it’s sooooooo cooooooool!!
From Lawrence I boogied into Kansas City and the John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Memorial Bridge.

I went underneath it first.
Then I found a sketchy little spot beside it.

After the bridge I made my way over to the Nelson-Adkins Art Museum.
It was closed when I got there, but I still got some good shots.

Yes… that’s a big shuttlecock in the background.
I’m a big fan of Claes Oldenburg.

Since the museum was closed – I had the whole place to myself!!
It was pretty cool.
I spent the night just outside of Kansas City with friends in Lee’s Summit.
The next morning, instead of taking the Interstate, I took Highway 50 towards Sedalia and found this gem in California, MO.

Highway 50 from Jefferson City to Rosebud is a beautiful driving road.
I’m surprised it’s not a National Scenic Byway.
Driving into St. Louis is pretty cool – as you come around a bend in the road all of a sudden you see the Gateway Arch – the “gateway to the west.”

The Gateway Arch is also a National Park.
It’s National Park number 25 for me & The 55 if you’re keeping track.
Speaking of which – it’s almost time for me to get a new America the Beautiful National Park Pass as mine is about to expire.
They’re good for 1-year and if you’re planning on going to more than one National Park you should get it.
After three National Parks you’re in the money.
St. Louis is also a part of Historic Route 66.

And I love me some Route 66!!
A buddy of mine from high-school – Dr. Buck at Webster University – told me about the Crestwood Bowl on Route 66.

I left St. Louis with my belly full of BBQ.
But I couldn’t leave without another shot of The Arch.

And the Eads Bridge.

Dedicated in 1874, the Eads Bridge is the world’s first steel-truss bridge.
It’s also a city & national historic landmark.
I found out after the fact that the neighborhood it’s in isn’t the best.
Then I was over the bridge and into Illinois and the Cotten Patch Botique.

Cotten took me to Big Mama’s BBQ Express in East St. Louis for a pork steak, but they were sold out…
…of everything!!
So we went to a little Mexican joint in the back of a grocery store – Mi Tierra Bonita.
It was awesome!!
As I left Cotten’s, I unintentionally ran into the Historic National Road.

The Historic National Road is “the road that built the nation” and a nationally designated All-American Road.
It’s the first highway in American History.
Just down the road I saw this cute little post office in Mulberry Grove, IL and I had to stop.

Then I was on my way to Mid-America.
If you own a Corvette – or if you’ve ever owned a Corvette – then you’ve probably heard of Mid-America.
I remember them from back when I first got my 69 Corvette.
Mid-America was where I ordered all of my parts from.
When I saw that I’d be driving right past their headquarters I had to stop in and check ’em out.
I remembered the owner – Mike Yager – has an incredible collection of Corvettes too.
He also had the CERV-1 – the Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle-1!!
But when I got there I learned that the CERV-1 had been sold back to GM and is now on display at the GM Ren-Cen in Detroit.
Mike gave me a killer tour and even took me out to lunch at the new ramen place in town.
But not before he lined me up for a cool shot with this Hot Wheels sign.

From Mid-America in Effingham, Illinois we made it into Indiana.

And then into Ohio.

We made it to Ohio a couple of days early, with no breakdowns and put almost 1500 miles on The 55.
It was now time to get ready for the Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals.
I had to rest-up.
Until the next time.
I hope to see you out on the road.
I’m Jeff Thisted, and I drive a 55
#idrivea55