Lebanon, MO

 Driving out of Cuba we came upon a giant rocking chair.  We pulled over to take a picture of it.  The chair is designed to do just that, make us pull over to take a picture, and then, since we stopped, to go into the outpost/store right beside it.  We recognized that ploy and promised one another that we would take the picture but not go into the store.  Later on, in the store, while we were making our purchases we learned that the extremely personable cashier was actually a new generation “gig” worker.  She is a face painter, balloon sculptor, fitness trainer, rollerskating instructor, and best of all, a roller derby queen.  All of those professions require close personal contact with others, thus COVID was killing her gigs.  This said she was a blast to talk with and she earned her keep by selling us some overpriced sodas and gourmet popcorn.

                                    Sometimes you just can’t stay on the original “Route 66”.

In Lebanon, the Munger Moss Motel is another “National Historic Route 66 Federation” Gold Star Location.  It all began when Widow Munger married Mr. Moss and started a barbecue place.  Two owners later they have operated as a motel in this spot since 1946.  This motel is definitely a throwback to an earlier time with different expectations for traveling accommodations.  We enjoyed talking to Ramona, now the sole owner of the Motel, since her husband died two years ago.  She explained the motel used to have just regular travelers getting from point A to point B.  But, once regular Route 66 was decommissioned, a sudden interest was found in people who wanted to find the old route, travel two lane highways and stay at the old motels that once lined the road all along the way.  The business boomed and continued to do so right up until COVID.  This is the perfect place to officially start our road trip to the Santa Monica Pier

Across the street from the Munger Moss is the Starlight Lanes (bowling).  Big spender that I am I took Sandy to their snack bar for dinner.  While there we bowled a couple lines.  It surprised me to find out that neither of us are very good bowlers.  I thought we would be.