I am trying to distract myself from staring at Charlotte all day, she has SEVEN days to go before we can even think about expecting any piglets after all. Pigs are usually farrow quite close to their dates and I hope she goes all the way so we get nice fat healthy babies.
So another tiny ride West on Route 66 was just the ticket for a lazy Sunday.
The land stretched out for miles yesterday, with clear air and cloudy skies.
Two things that have struck me in this small exploration of the Mid West along Route 66. This area is not wealthy. There is money to be made by the big croppers and the people who have saved from the boom times. But just about everyone else struggles along.
And the lack of population. There are so few people in these towns, there are houses, and trees and vegetables gardens, but where are the people on a Sunday afternoon.
Here is another block of empty shops.
Speaking of people I was framing this shot, intrigued by being able to shoot through an empty building to the Fire Station and retain the reflection of the empty buildings behind me, when a car pulled up. An older gentleman rolled down his window and said. “I am sure you are perfectly harmless but that does look strange.”
Having never been called harmless before I raised my eyebrows and told him what I was doing. Because I spoke with an accent his suspicion deepened. There is a growing paranoia amongst some people out here that they are being spied on as they cast about for an excuse to rattle the doors of their gun cabinets. Why anyone would think they are important enough for some spy ring to be investigating them is beyond me. And what are they hiding? He smiled in the end though and said he supposed it was alright then, and drove away. As a parting shot I took a photo of his car as he watched me in his rear view mirror, just to prod his paranoia with a stick. I know, it was naughty. If I put it on Facebook Google would monitor it for me. They are the biggest spiers around if you ask me. So avoid the internet if that bothers you, I tell them. Just look at the word – Inter Net.
This was an old ice cream shop. As we drove further West we saw that a few local towns had turned the abandoned side of Route 66 into a bicycle and walking path, there were trees planted and little resting benches dotted along the paths. People were out with their kids and bikes and roller skates and walking shoes strolling along. This was lovely to see. They were using the road again. I could see the people.
Powerlines are the enemy of the photographer.
A railway station.
I wonder if there was ever a hold up in this little bank below.
Then home again, home again, jiggedy jig. Time to look at my big fat pig… Still fat.
We will continue our search later in the summer. If only to document the old empty store fronts – they intrigue me. All those fast moving dreams.
Here is one more post I created quite some time ago that has another set of Route 66 images on it. Pop over Marcia.. here are the burros we saw! I took that shot around the back of the shops!
We had some rain in the night but nothing dramatic. And today is dawning clear and loud with birds. Time for work. I wonder what today will bring. i will show you tomorrow.
Have a lovely day.
your friend on Route 66, celi.
The Kitchen's Garden 
43 responses to “Another Peek at Route 66 – Just for Kicks”
the loneliness of empty buildings – sigh
Keep that paranoia going……I do it constantly. : )
naughty!! c
Did you stop at the Dixie Truck Stop while you were in McLean? In one form or another it has been there almost as long as Route 66. The next town south along 66 (or I-55) is Atlanta, home of the hot dog guy. He is on the east side of the railroad in the downtown. Around Lincoln there is still some of Route 66 in use, I think.
If Charlotte were to smoosh a piglet I don’t think I would totally blame her. The little buggers don’t seem to have the sense God gave a rock sometimes, especially in large numbers. She could have a clear area when she starts down and one them could run right under her. From what I remember pigs don’t seem to able to stop themselves once they start to lay down. Now if she were to take out the whole litter then yes, I’m not sure I would give her another chance.
Exactly, and i have heard stories of big sows squishing piglets one after the other, but often that is because the piglets and the sow are in a small space, Char will have the middle pen and it is large with little rails for the piglets to jump over if they see doom looming, but like you say, if they run the wrong way nothing would save them. The vet said that even in the crates they get squashed .. we will have to see.. what a learning experience..!! c
Gasp! Are those AZ shots from a town called Oatman, by chance?
Rechecked the comments lounge and answered my own question. 🙂 The stories out of that town are fascinating.
Yes we came upon it quite by chance on our big Route 66 drive across the country.. what an extraordinary town! c
Had to laugh at your comment about ‘a lazy Sunday’: Milady I do not think you know what that word means and how can you ever have a lazy day with that huge family all dependent on you 🙂 ! I love your photo collection but am saddened and depressed to a large degree by it! I don’t think the picture is as bad in Australia but many farmers are certainly walking off the land or selling out to big companies and the small towns which used to service them are suffering. Everyone seems to want to live in the big smoke! The words ‘seachange’ and ‘treechange’ are huge here, but it is mostly the retirees moving, usually to the warm north and often seaside . . .
So much story in the decay of Route 66…….nice shots, C.
It’s really tragic how many towns have been abandoned like those you’ve shown us, Celi. In our little part of Michigan, the Summer vacationers and Fall hunters keep many of those towns alive. WIthout them and the influx of dollars, more than a few of the area’s towns would fade away. As it is, some are really struggling. These two posts have been wonderful, Celi. I’m glad you guys got away for a bit and thanks for taking us along. 😉
Of course the bank is the “richest” looking building.. but I have an acquired taste for the old and weathered ones. You’ve got some great shots, c, even with the power lines! xx
So many towns are starting to look like that: with deserted homes, failed businesses and rundown real estate and roads. They echo the mood of the times we live in.
I’ve always wanted to see Rte. 66. It is a sad commentary on what America has become that those towns are empty. I will go check out the other Rte. 66 blog.
What a lovely trip, but so sad to see it lifeless. The photo with reflections came out so well!
Such wonderful pictures Celi! In both this post and yesterday’s! Some of the empty, abandoned store fronts on Main Street remind me of my town of Flippin. Walmart moving in had a big impact on this town and its small businesses. It is sad to see. How great to see the Daily View again!!! So lush, green, and beautiful!!! xo
We did the trip a few years back and it is depressing loved your post.
Cecilia, we drove snippets of Route 66 (Arizona, New Mexico) last year and had such a fun time! We’d actually driven cross-continent from Québec City, ultimately to San Francisco, but didn’t pick up the Midwestern portion of the famed highway on the way out west. We were happy to see that so much of it was being revived. In which part of IL were these pictures taken? I’m originally from the Quad Cities…
morning tricia, this is central illinois, down by Bloomington.. thank you for commenting. Cross continent sounds fantastic.. c
A small world indeed. 🙂