Travels With Randy Route 66 Episode 15 is here! Illinois - East St Louis To Springfield Personal Updates and Life Stories Bubba and Randy caught up on personal updates, including Randy's recent trip to Washington and Kentucky, where he visited family and retrieved his van. Randy shared an amusing story about discovering a spoiled hot dog in his van's freezer, which caused an unpleasant smell. Bubba discussed his family's plans, including bringing Luke home from Clemson for the summer, while Logan will stay in Raleigh to work as a waiter and potentially train as a bartender. They also talked about the challenges some college students face in finding internships, noting that unpaid internships are now rare. The conversation ended with Randy sharing his experience working as a runner at Mary Tyler Moore Enterprises, where he witnessed actor Lawrence Fishburne auditioning for bit parts in various TV shows. Entertainment Industry and Work Experiences The conversation covered personal experiences in the entertainment industry, with one participant sharing their experience working as a runner at Dick Clark Productions, including a memorable task of transporting Dick Clark and his wife's dogs in their Jaguar. The discussion also touched on Bubba's experience working at a coal plant in Decatur, Illinois, where they handled unusual materials like burning tires. The conversation ended with a reference to their ongoing discussion about Route 66, picking up where they left off last week after covering Missouri and St. Louis. Route 66 Illinois Tour Discussion Randy discussed the different routes of Route 66 in Illinois, highlighting the clear signage in the state that indicates different route periods. They shared details about two main routes near St. Louis, including the Chain of Rocks Bridge and the original 1926-1930 route through Mitchell and Edwardville to Hamel. Randy recommended visiting the Chain of Rocks Bridge and suggested a loop route through Mitchell, Edwardville, Hamel, and potentially Collinsville to see the world's largest ketchup bottle, before continuing to Springfield via the original 1926-1930 route. Route 66 Antique Mall Visit Randy described visiting an antique mall in Livingston, Illinois, which features kitschy Route 66 memorabilia including a giant pink elephant and a trailer referencing Brownsville Station's "Martian Boogie" song. They recommended a detour from the 1930 route to see the pink elephant and Ariston Restaurant in Litchfield, which is the longest continuously operating restaurant on Route 66, having moved from the original 1926 alignment in 1930. Bubba, who is from Decatur, Illinois, provided context about the geographic location of these sites between St. Louis and Springfield in southern Illinois. US 250th Anniversary and Route 66 The discussion focused on the 250th anniversary of the United States and the centennial of Route 66, with participants clarifying that the correct term for a 250-year milestone is "semiquincentennial." They discussed early American settlements and how quickly cities developed, with Bubba mentioning his visits to historical sites like Jamestown. The conversation then shifted to Route 66 in Illinois, where Randy explained that the route spans approximately 300 miles from the Mississippi River to Chicago, with Springfield located about 75-80 miles from the river. Randy noted that visitors can see multiple landmarks including the Ariston Cafe, Pink Elephant, and antique mall by following different route alignments. Route 66 Historical Discussion The discussion focused on Route 66, with Randy describing the route through Gillespie, Carlinville, and surrounding areas. They discussed the historical significance of the old courthouse in Carlinville and the original Ariston restaurant location. Bubba shared his experience growing up in a farming community and working seasonal farm jobs, including tassel corn work, which paid better than minimum wage jobs at the time. Randy explained the different alignments of Route 66 from 1926 to 1930 and mentioned the unique red brick section in Auburn, which is the only red brick road on the entire 2,400-mile route. AI Character Design Planning Session Randy and Bubba discussed Randy's travel experiences, particularly his journey along Route 66, where he had initially rushed through locations but later learned to slow down and explore more thoroughly. They then engaged in a creative exercise to design an AI character named Beth, deciding on specific features including deep blue eyes, dark brown wavy hair, and an olive complexion. The team planned to have Beth create her own visual representation using an AI tool like Grok or ChatGPT, which they would then share on their TWR social media page. Illinois Route 66 Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed the geographical and political dynamics of Illinois, particularly focusing on the contrast between Chicago and the rest of the state, including Springfield as the state ...
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57 mins
1 hr and 40 mins