Tag Archives: Route 66

Along Route 66: Funks Grove, Il (just east of Springfield)

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The people of Funks Grove do not take kindly to folks putting a “y” in their sirup.  Why?  No idea.  But they have been tapping into their Sweet Maples since the 19th century.  After the Mother Road came into being it was only natural that they would sell a few gallons by the side of the road.  If you come by in mid-March you will likely see Mike Funk overseeing gallons upon gallons upon gallons of sap boiling away into a much smaller quantity of gloriously sticky and sweet smelling sirup.  The sirup then is bottled a few feet away from the stove and sold next door by his family.  The Funks encourage questions and picnickers making this a perfect rest stop for the road weary.  Nearby is the Sugar Grove Nature Center which we left for our next visit.  After tasting the sirup I can tell you that there will be a next time.

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Mike Funk helping the sap boil


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Along Route 66: Becky’s Barn (a little west of Springfield, IL)

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Becky's Barn

Becky’s Barn

Although sometimes little more than a frontage road paralleling Interstate 55, Route 66 survives mostly intact through Illinois.  This includes approximately one and a half mile of brick road laid out 1931.  Immediately adjacent to this section is Becky’s Barn which is definitely a cut above the typical antique/road kitsch barns you see dotted along the highway. For starters there is owner Rick Hargett, an unabashed pro-union anti-Republican cuddly bear of a man who much more closely resembles Willie Nelson than Ralph Nader.  Besides the numerous bumper stickers celebrating his views he also gives a 20% discount to all union members and soldiers (“The union builds the country and the soldiers protect it”).    Sadly the namesake of his store, Becky, passed away last January.  After flirting with closing down the store for good, Rick instead decided to stay open.  And on a beautiful, almost summer like day in March, we were glad he did.  Open Thursday through Sunday 10 A.M.-5 P.M. To get to their website click here.

Corey, Rick, and Rick's friend

Corey, Rick, and Rick’s friend

On Route 66

On Route 66