Saturday 30 May 2015

Day 4 springfield to Oklahoma city 285 miles approx

After a great night sleep we are now off to Oklahoma city, on route today we visited our first shopping mall for the girls ....lol
Scenery changing from farmland to very dry red earth plains.
Once we arrived in Oklahoma we visited the site of the bombing, a very surreal place.



 We also visited another mall this time an outlet mall girls and myself got a bargain and my brother some vans..
This point of journey we were under Tornado warning, and experienced the tail end of one while driving on the motorway.....

Day 3 St louis to Springfield 215 miles approx

Day 3 heading to Springfield, we are staying tonight in hotel where Elvis stayed Best Western Rail Haven Route 66.

After leaving St louis we followed the route out, looking for the chain of rock bridge across the Mississippi.....
Our next stop was on route 66 will be Springfield, meeting so many people on the same journey, and finding out its just not the tourists that are getting lost.


Tuesday 26 May 2015

Day 2 Chicago to St Louis 300 miles plus

Hello family and friends,

We have left Chicago on route to St Louis, rather an epic journey trying to follow route 66 having a look about and getting lost a few times took just over 11 hours ?

Arrived at the  best western st louis inn, around 8.30 in the evening grabbed a bite to eat at the cracker barrel ..... I don't think it will be the best meal we eat.
A good night sleep was needed and it happened, great beds very comfortable and clean, breakfast was simply and easy, made my first waffle .....
We drove back into St louis approx 20 min too see the arch.... and a very impressive arch it was.
Unfortunately memorial day holiday saw to the fact we didn't go up inside, I think tourists should get fast track.... lol
We also found the chain of rock bridge that crosses the Mississippi...


Sunday 24 May 2015



We have arrived!!

After a year of waiting from making the booking the Congerton family have arrived in Chicago.
The flight over was very special. Family members only info.... and no the wife and I didn't join the mile high club.

The 747 was full to the brim, but 8 hours soon passes, a film couple of old episodes of faulty towers!

I had pre booked us to go up the Willis tower, our hotel Best Western Grant Park was only a 15 min walk away.
I knew we would probably have to queue .... but my word unorganised chaos .... 3 hrs to go on a 1 minute 103 floor lift ride, I admit once on the floor the view was amazing looking over Chicago ... but no staff organising any form of control ment you had to fight and push your way, to get to the glass outside viewing floors and then no sod would move for your own photo opportunity.
I know it was a Saturday and a holiday weekend but come on USA you can do much better than that.
I am writing this at 4 am wide awake ... long drive today to St Louis. . Laters

Friday 22 May 2015

It's Friday 22nd all checked in on line, packed .... all ready to go Roll on Route 66

Saturday 16 May 2015

Hello family,
Really getting excited now only 7 days to go to the big adventure, better start packing today.!!
Just like to take this moment to thank holly and james and mum who are looking after the house and the dog, while away.

Monday 4 May 2015

Dear Family,

When we get to our first destination Chicago,  i have booked us to go up the Willis Tower, http://theskydeck.com/

All will be good along as the lift is working .... 103 floors up !!!!

Saturday 2 May 2015

Not long to go

Hello Family,

Dad here, i am getting to the point were i cant wait to go now on our big adventure the tickets have arrived in a superb travel case from the travel company i used COMPLETE NORTH AMERICA.

The travel file contains a personalised itinerary book covering our adventure on Route 66, maps, booklets etc, and of course plane tickets, Motel and Hotel vouchers, i am unsure if this the norm for large trips etc, but i am very impressed with this service.

As of today we have 21 days to go, changed up some travel money the dollar is up and down by a few pence each day but got 1.50 in Sainsbury, happy with that..... can't wait to spend them now.

Next update will be the night before we leave ..... will i sleep !!! my children who are 19 and 17 are looking at me as if i am the child.....

Mark


Tuesday 31 March 2015

The Congerton Family Route 66 Holiday

The Congerton family, Mark, Bernadette and Jessica and Darby will be off on the 23rd May 2015 on a holiday that will be a trip of a lifetime and one to cross off the bucket list.

At the time of my first blog entry we have 52 days until we leave.... not wanting to wish my life away .... i cannot wait to go...

Our trip follows route 66 we are staying in motels etc all booked through Complete North America travel.




We depart Heathrow 11.50  land in Chicago 14.15 via BA

Collect our SUV from Alamo and off to our first stop....

Chicago / Best Western Grant Park Hotel 

St.Louis / Best Western St.Louis Inn

Springfield / Best Western Route 66 rail Haven

Oklahoma City / Best Western plus Barsana Hotel 

Amarillo / Best Western Medical Ctr Inn

Tucumcari / Motel Safari 

Albuquerque / Best Western Rio Grande Inn / x 2 nights

Chinle / Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly

Grand Canyon NP South Area / Yavapai Lodge West

Las Vegas / New York New York Hotel / Park Ave room / x 2 nights

Santa Monica / Best Western Plus Gateway Hotel / x 2 nights

Los Angeles 15.00  to land at Heathrow 10.05