The day started on a down note. I was concerned. I intended to leave the Munger Moss Motel at 5:40 A.M. to get a bite to eat at Faye's Diner in Lebanon, MO. before heading out to play golf. Parking at the Munger Moss was conveniently outside the door of the room and it was still pitch black outside. I wanted to make the loading of the vehicle easier so I unlocked the right door, then the trunk and, not thinking, shoved the trunk key into the driver's side door.
Bad idea. It stuck. I could not get it out. I wiggled it every which way. My fingers got sore. I retrieved a pair of pliers from the trunk and began to wiggle the key and tried to force it out. Nothing was working.
I had visions of driving all the way to California with a trunk key sticking out of the door lock cylinder. And of course, what an inconvenience, always having to unlock and lock the vehicle by leaning across the console. But the biggest problem was the trunk if the second trunk key could not be found. I didn't dare shut the trunk until I found that key. I wouldn't see my golf clubs again on the trip.
I took a break and loaded the entire car. I was falling behind time and I had to extricate that key. And I said my best prayer. I tried the wiggling the key again and must have moved the innards of the cylinder because the key came loose. Prayer answered.
What a relief! I tested both the door and trunk keys and was good to go.
So I finally made it to Faye's Diner, had a good basic breakfast and drove 28 miles to play Whispering Oaks Golf Club in Marshfield, MO. I took a leisurely 32 mile drive through Springfield, MO to Deer Lake Golf Course. Then I spent the next two hours enjoying the sites of Route 66 as I covered the 52 miles to Carthage, MO where I ate a late lunch at Whistler's Drive-Up, checked into the Boots Court Motel and then finally gave my vehicle a well-deserved wash.
Bad idea. It stuck. I could not get it out. I wiggled it every which way. My fingers got sore. I retrieved a pair of pliers from the trunk and began to wiggle the key and tried to force it out. Nothing was working.
I had visions of driving all the way to California with a trunk key sticking out of the door lock cylinder. And of course, what an inconvenience, always having to unlock and lock the vehicle by leaning across the console. But the biggest problem was the trunk if the second trunk key could not be found. I didn't dare shut the trunk until I found that key. I wouldn't see my golf clubs again on the trip.
I took a break and loaded the entire car. I was falling behind time and I had to extricate that key. And I said my best prayer. I tried the wiggling the key again and must have moved the innards of the cylinder because the key came loose. Prayer answered.
What a relief! I tested both the door and trunk keys and was good to go.
So I finally made it to Faye's Diner, had a good basic breakfast and drove 28 miles to play Whispering Oaks Golf Club in Marshfield, MO. I took a leisurely 32 mile drive through Springfield, MO to Deer Lake Golf Course. Then I spent the next two hours enjoying the sites of Route 66 as I covered the 52 miles to Carthage, MO where I ate a late lunch at Whistler's Drive-Up, checked into the Boots Court Motel and then finally gave my vehicle a well-deserved wash.
I was pretty stressed out by the time I got to Faye's Diner, just five minutes from the Munger Moss Motel. I was the first car in the parking lot and when I walked in the door, there was no sign of activity. I noticed fans running in the kitchen and called out, scaring the cook, server and chief bottle washer Rachel.
We chatted a bit and I asked her if I could fill my cooler with ice. Good old Ramona at Munger Moss guards her ice voraciously and she is the only person who can fill up the small room containers. The office was closed when I left and ice was necessary given the forecast high of 97.
So Rachel filled the cooler, took my order, quickly served me, and I was on my way.
We chatted a bit and I asked her if I could fill my cooler with ice. Good old Ramona at Munger Moss guards her ice voraciously and she is the only person who can fill up the small room containers. The office was closed when I left and ice was necessary given the forecast high of 97.
So Rachel filled the cooler, took my order, quickly served me, and I was on my way.
As usual, when I arrived at Whispering Oaks Golf Club, I was the first vehicle in the parking lot. I waited fifteen minutes for Brandon, the Pro Shop Manager, to arrive.
Whispering Oaks Golf Club in Marshfield, MO has recently had an ownership change and is in the process of rebranding itself. Formerly known as Marshfield Golf Course, Brandon told me they do not yet have logo balls with the new logo. So the logo ball count is now thirteen for twenty.
The course was in very good shape and like many courses on this trip, the rough is tall so that it can better survive the extreme heat.
While playing the course, every time I gripped the club, I felt a soreness in my fingers from wiggling that trunk key. And I relived my horror until the feeling in my fingers subsided.
Whispering Oaks Golf Club in Marshfield, MO has recently had an ownership change and is in the process of rebranding itself. Formerly known as Marshfield Golf Course, Brandon told me they do not yet have logo balls with the new logo. So the logo ball count is now thirteen for twenty.
The course was in very good shape and like many courses on this trip, the rough is tall so that it can better survive the extreme heat.
While playing the course, every time I gripped the club, I felt a soreness in my fingers from wiggling that trunk key. And I relived my horror until the feeling in my fingers subsided.
The Rest Haven Court in Springfield, MO I completed the first round of the day in less than two hours and was on Route 66 on my way to Springfield, MO for round two.
One note about Marshfield. It is the boyhood home of Dr. Edwin Hubble of Hubble Telescope fame and one of the crossroads was named for him. There is a quarter scale replica of the telescope in the town square that weighs 1200 lbs.
On the way, I stopped to take a picture of the Rest Haven Court sign and as I was snapping pictures, a car pulled in behind me and the couple did the same. They were from South America and there was a bit of a language barrier but he did communicate he liked my car.
One note about Marshfield. It is the boyhood home of Dr. Edwin Hubble of Hubble Telescope fame and one of the crossroads was named for him. There is a quarter scale replica of the telescope in the town square that weighs 1200 lbs.
On the way, I stopped to take a picture of the Rest Haven Court sign and as I was snapping pictures, a car pulled in behind me and the couple did the same. They were from South America and there was a bit of a language barrier but he did communicate he liked my car.
It was pretty hot by the time I arrived at Deer Lake Golf Course. I checked in and was pleased to find a good supply of logo balls so the count at the end of the day is fourteen for twenty-one.
I played as a single behind many groups of golfers and the round proceeded at a snail's pace.
The first eleven holes at Deer Lake are north of I-44. After completing the eleventh hole, golfers take a tunnel under the interstate to play holes twelve through sixteen on the south side. And then it's back under the interstate.
Let me say this about the tunnel. It is narrow and low and dark. I did not think my the golf cart (no, I did not carry my clubs in the heat) would make it without scuffing the sides or the roof. I thought to myself, "why would the builders of this course build a tunnel so narrow?"
On the twelfth tee, I was joined by a single, William Martinez. William is a member at Deer Lake and it was nice to get his perspective on the remaining holes. William works at the French's Mustard Plant in Springfield which supplies French's Mustard all over the world.
When we completed the sixteenth hole, it was through the tunnel under the interstate again. I made a comment about the size of the tunnel and William proceeded to tell me the tunnel pre-dates the golf course. It was put in place for the farmer whose cows grazed in the pasture on the other side of the interstate. That it just fits modern day golf carts is amazing.
I played as a single behind many groups of golfers and the round proceeded at a snail's pace.
The first eleven holes at Deer Lake are north of I-44. After completing the eleventh hole, golfers take a tunnel under the interstate to play holes twelve through sixteen on the south side. And then it's back under the interstate.
Let me say this about the tunnel. It is narrow and low and dark. I did not think my the golf cart (no, I did not carry my clubs in the heat) would make it without scuffing the sides or the roof. I thought to myself, "why would the builders of this course build a tunnel so narrow?"
On the twelfth tee, I was joined by a single, William Martinez. William is a member at Deer Lake and it was nice to get his perspective on the remaining holes. William works at the French's Mustard Plant in Springfield which supplies French's Mustard all over the world.
When we completed the sixteenth hole, it was through the tunnel under the interstate again. I made a comment about the size of the tunnel and William proceeded to tell me the tunnel pre-dates the golf course. It was put in place for the farmer whose cows grazed in the pasture on the other side of the interstate. That it just fits modern day golf carts is amazing.
Now all I had left was a 52 mile drive to Carthage for the night's lodging. I took advantage of the time I had available and stopped several times along Route 66 for photos. No detailed maps are necessary as Route 66 is pretty straightforward from Springfield to Carthage.
 Replica Gas Station in Paris Springs, MO |  The Inside of the Replica Garage in Paris Springs, MO |
Along the way, I stopped at a replica of an old gas station and garage in Paris Springs. I met George who is the the boyfriend of the creator's daughter. He told me he and his girlfriend are now the overseers of the replica. Just down the road, there is a restored set of buildings that are all that remains of the little town of Spencer.
The Restored Remains of the Little Town of Spencer
A Section of Route 66 in Missouri There are parts of Route 66 that are two-lane divided highways with a speed limit of 65. And there are other places where the road is narrow with cracks filled with weeds. The road in front of the ghost town of Spencer is like this.
I forgot to mention yesterday that I lost the "running mustang" emblem on the front right fender of my car. It evidently was not attached well enough to withstand the rigors of Route 66 and wiggled itself loose. I knew the road might be tough on the old girl but who needs a car that stays in the garage? I'm sure there will be more rough roads and further damage but it's nothing that can't be fixed upon return.
I forgot to mention yesterday that I lost the "running mustang" emblem on the front right fender of my car. It evidently was not attached well enough to withstand the rigors of Route 66 and wiggled itself loose. I knew the road might be tough on the old girl but who needs a car that stays in the garage? I'm sure there will be more rough roads and further damage but it's nothing that can't be fixed upon return.
When I arrived in Carthage, my first stop was Whistler's Drive-Up, a tiny little building that serves scrumptious burgers with various meat toppings like ham and bacon. Nola was my server and cook and explained the choices. I opted for a triple cheeseburger (the patties are 2 oz.) with a root beer.
 Whistler's Drive-Up in Carthage, MO |  The Tiny Kitchen at Whistler's Drive-Up |
Just two tenths of a mile down the road was my lodging for the night, the Boots Court Motel, recently renamed the Boots Motel. The motel was built in 1939 by Arthur Boots. It is a famous Art-Deco-Streamline Modern building that was saved from demolition by two sisters who are in the process of a restoration that will take it back to its heyday in the late 1940's.
I was greeted by Debbie Dee, who couldn't be more engaging. She had just returned from a Route 66 event in Germany of all places. She is a walking encyclopedia of the town of Carthage and is quite knowledgeable about Route 66. She gave me the background on the motel and encouraged me to get a picture of the recently restored neon on the main building. The neon fabricator used the old neon glass (that survived) to fashion the new exact match.
Like the sign says (see below) "A Radio in "Every Room" (but no TV). You know, I kind of like it. I am staying in the detached annex part of the complex that has five rooms. The spacious room is beautifully restored with wood floors, french lace ceilings and walls and completed with simple furnishings.
Another cool feature are the carports between rooms in the main building. I was given one of the carports for my stay.
When you drive Route 66, be sure to make this a stop.
I was greeted by Debbie Dee, who couldn't be more engaging. She had just returned from a Route 66 event in Germany of all places. She is a walking encyclopedia of the town of Carthage and is quite knowledgeable about Route 66. She gave me the background on the motel and encouraged me to get a picture of the recently restored neon on the main building. The neon fabricator used the old neon glass (that survived) to fashion the new exact match.
Like the sign says (see below) "A Radio in "Every Room" (but no TV). You know, I kind of like it. I am staying in the detached annex part of the complex that has five rooms. The spacious room is beautifully restored with wood floors, french lace ceilings and walls and completed with simple furnishings.
Another cool feature are the carports between rooms in the main building. I was given one of the carports for my stay.
When you drive Route 66, be sure to make this a stop.
 |  Carport Between Rooms in the Main Building at Boots |
Recently Restored Neon
One of the landmarks in the city of Carthage is the Jasper County Courthouse. This building is the second most photographed landmark in the state of Missouri behind the Arch in St. Louis. As beautiful as it is, it is undergoing a renovation now.
It is said this courthouse was the inspiration for the clock tower scene in the movie "Back to the Future."
So it was a busy day on Route 66 and surely ended better than it started. Although I will only be traveling about 65 miles down the road tomorrow, I will complete the Missouri portion of Route 66 with golf at Carthage Golf Course in Carthage and Schifferdecker Golf Course in Joplin before moving into Kansas to play the nine hole Baxter Springs Golf & Country Club in Baxter Springs, KS. With only 12 miles of Route 66 in Kansas, I will end the day in Afton, OK. More tomorrow.
It is said this courthouse was the inspiration for the clock tower scene in the movie "Back to the Future."
So it was a busy day on Route 66 and surely ended better than it started. Although I will only be traveling about 65 miles down the road tomorrow, I will complete the Missouri portion of Route 66 with golf at Carthage Golf Course in Carthage and Schifferdecker Golf Course in Joplin before moving into Kansas to play the nine hole Baxter Springs Golf & Country Club in Baxter Springs, KS. With only 12 miles of Route 66 in Kansas, I will end the day in Afton, OK. More tomorrow.
RSS Feed