It was an absolutely gorgeous day yesterday. I did some errands around town just to be outside in the perfect weather. I got up extra early because I wanted to get things done so I could be gone over the weekend. By the time I got here I was pretty tired but the drive was nice - lovely day.


And obviously many people think it's great to go there because it was full of people. So... what do I know. Well, I know the food is better at the Brookville Hotel, even though they moved it from Brookville to Abilene so they could get more money. Ah, but that's another tale starring fried chicken, to be told another time.

In addition to the Route 66 gift items, they also had plenty of things you'd expect in a small town grocery store - things like batteries and birthday candles. They also had actual groceries, and people were stopping in to buy them. Having grown up in a small town I can appreciate the task of small town grocery stores in trying to serve so many different needs.

Scott Nelson, nephew of the owners, was running the place and I asked him what percentage of the business comes from locals and what from tourists. He said it was about 60% local and about 40% tourists.
They will make you a sandwich with freshly cut meat and cheese and you can eat on the enclosed porch, looking out onto Rt. 66.
Just a few miles down the road is the Rainbow Arch Bridge, built in the 20s. It's the last of its kind.


We did some more meandering and wandering. All in all a lovely day. It was storming when we left Joplin, but it blew over, just as Miss Joy (Greg's Mom) suggested it would.