The rain finally caught up with us on Day 4—yep, it was our first day with a proper downpour! But we weren’t about to let a little weather slow us down. After a good night’s sleep at the American Inn Motel, I woke up feeling surprisingly fresh at 7am. We didn’t hit the road until 8:45am, but hey, it’s Route 66, not a race.
Eureka Visitors Centre – Passport Stop and My First T-Shirt
We kicked things off with a stop at the Eureka Visitors Centre for its 9am opening. First passport stop of the day and, much to my excitement, I scored my first Route 66 T-shirt! I’ve decided to get one in each state, so I don’t end up coming home with 20 T-shirts (fingers crossed). We’ll see how that goes…
Cedar Inn – Closed, But Still Worth the Photo
Next, we popped by the Cedar Inn. It was closed, but we were there for the photo op for the passport, so a quick snap and we were on our way. Lia took a detour to the viewpoint for a bit of sightseeing, while I soaked in the rain (because, why not?) before we moved on to Bourbon—yes, Bourbon!—to capture a shot of the water tower. There, we took a moment to stretch our legs and listen to the frogs serenading us by the lake. It was the perfect spot for a brief moment of peace before the next stop.
Missouri-Hick Bar-B-Q – Lunch Time!
About 20 miles down the road, we found Missouri-Hick Bar-B-Q, where we figured it was finally time for some authentic local grub. I ordered the Broaster Chicken, and Lia had the Catfish (because, apparently, catfish is now part of the diet). We shared both and, honestly, the catfish was the clear winner. It had that perfect flavour, and let’s just say, it didn’t last long. We wrapped up our meal with a piece of blackberry pie to share. And yes, it was as glorious as it sounds.
Rolla – The World’s Second-Biggest Rocking Chair
By 2pm, we had arrived in Rolla, where we paid a visit to the world’s second biggest rocking chair (a must-see, obviously). The owners were incredibly friendly, and we had a lovely chat. I couldn’t leave without picking up some popcorn for the road, and I even splurged on a couple of Wüsthof knives for Mike (because you can never have enough sharp knives, right?).
A Slice of Pie – The Pie Day Continues
Next up, we visited A Slice of Pie for some afternoon tea. This was the real deal—old-timey pies just like you'd expect from the 1930s. I mean, how could we resist? It was pie day, after all. If you’re ever in the area, make sure to pop in and get yourself a slice (or three).
Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store – Puns and Fudge Galore
One stop we had both been looking forward to was the Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store. If you’re not giggling at the name, you’re doing it wrong. The staff were in top form, full of “Uranus” puns and cheeky humour. Our favourite was the parting words as we left: "Thanks for picking Uranus, drive safe and wash your hands." Honestly, I think I need that on a T-shirt.
Bucc-ees – The Holy Grail of Gas Stations
Finally, we made it to Bucc-ees—it had been on my list since day one. And let me tell you, it lived up to the hype. It’s the Disneyland of fuel stations, with an incredible experience both inside and out. The sheer scale of it was mind-blowing. Naturally, I had to pick up another T-shirt to commemorate the visit. Because when in doubt, buy the T-shirt.
A Day Well Spent
Despite the rain, Day 4 turned out to be one for the books. From the iconic Uranus puns to the world’s second-biggest rocking chair (yes, it’s a thing), we had a blast. Tomorrow’s adventure awaits, but for now, we’re going to bed with full bellies, a bag of fudge, and an excessive amount of Route 66 T-shirts.
Catch you on Day 5—rain or shine, we’re ready for whatever Route 66 throws our way!
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