This week’s ramblings take us to Wheaton, Illinois and a little trip down a small portion of Rt. 66. I believe this will be a two-part rambling. Mr. Trent had the opportunity to play the Wheaton All Night Flea Market, so we packed our things, hopped in the van and headed toward the windy city. We rolled in early as the vendors were setting up their wares. The fairground was bustling with activity-preparing for the onslaught of shoppers. We checked in with Mr. Decker-he had set up a green room with cold beverages, snacks and a nice cool area. From that point on it was a blur of activities-one important one was keeping Mr. Trent and myself hydrated. It was a steamy day-I longed for a paper parasol and the bit of shade it would supply. I saw a little girl walk by with one. I played with the notion of offering to buy it from her-but she was so excited walking and twirling it-I knew that she wouldn’t part with it. Now don’t get me wrong I am not complaining about the heat –especially after last winter-but it was a scorcher.
Mr. Trent must have played for 8 hours that day. It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. There were some very big crowds and as it usually happens with our travels we met a lot of interesting people. As Mr. Trent played his music, I was admiring all the treasures people were carrying-their eyes darting to and fro eyeing every inch of the grounds for the perfect bargain. Then there were those whose arms were full and feet were dragging, eyes glazed over after a full day of rummaging through aisles and aisles of treasures. I think this was probably the coolest and largest flea market I have ever been to. Locally we do have the Hartville flea market which is very large, but the Wheaton flea market was very interesting. I have to say the All Night Flea market is definitely a must see!
When we headed out we were in a rush so there wasn’t too much site seeing. After leaving Wheaton, we slept in a truck stop parking lot and planned some stops along the Illinois portion of Rt. 66 for the way home. After we settled in there was some pretty intense storms but when we woke up the weather was beautiful.
We started meandering down Rt. 66-in and out of new routes and portions of areas by the original road to our first stop Dwight, Illinois. We went to the Ambler-Becker Texaco Station. I was thrilled to walk around. The station was manned by a volunteer that told us many stories about all the different people from all over the world that visit the little town of Dwight. Believe it or not we were not the first to revisit the “Mother Road”. I know I have said this before but when we travel to these places I get sucked up into the history of it all. I can envision life as it was many years ago with the different people riding throughout time in-or on-beautiful machines. I can only imagine how refreshing it was to refuel and grab an ice cold Coca-Cola. On this note I will stop. I will continue these next week, it is getting late and I am becoming a bit long winded. So until then –safe travels and sweet dreams!
Mr. Trent must have played for 8 hours that day. It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. There were some very big crowds and as it usually happens with our travels we met a lot of interesting people. As Mr. Trent played his music, I was admiring all the treasures people were carrying-their eyes darting to and fro eyeing every inch of the grounds for the perfect bargain. Then there were those whose arms were full and feet were dragging, eyes glazed over after a full day of rummaging through aisles and aisles of treasures. I think this was probably the coolest and largest flea market I have ever been to. Locally we do have the Hartville flea market which is very large, but the Wheaton flea market was very interesting. I have to say the All Night Flea market is definitely a must see!
When we headed out we were in a rush so there wasn’t too much site seeing. After leaving Wheaton, we slept in a truck stop parking lot and planned some stops along the Illinois portion of Rt. 66 for the way home. After we settled in there was some pretty intense storms but when we woke up the weather was beautiful.
We started meandering down Rt. 66-in and out of new routes and portions of areas by the original road to our first stop Dwight, Illinois. We went to the Ambler-Becker Texaco Station. I was thrilled to walk around. The station was manned by a volunteer that told us many stories about all the different people from all over the world that visit the little town of Dwight. Believe it or not we were not the first to revisit the “Mother Road”. I know I have said this before but when we travel to these places I get sucked up into the history of it all. I can envision life as it was many years ago with the different people riding throughout time in-or on-beautiful machines. I can only imagine how refreshing it was to refuel and grab an ice cold Coca-Cola. On this note I will stop. I will continue these next week, it is getting late and I am becoming a bit long winded. So until then –safe travels and sweet dreams!
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