Ranger Dan: 117.1 George Washington Carver National Monument

Date of Visit: May 1, 2026

While doing Route 66 things in the Springfield, Missouri area, we took a detour to visit the George Washington Carver National Monument and collect the America 250 stamp. We enjoyed walking the Carver Trail and learning about his early life here. We then explored the exhibits in the visitor center, which were more focused on his later life.

Carver Trail

Carver Birthplace

Carver Spring

Boy Carver Statue

Williams Pond

1881 Moses Carver House

My Sketch of Moses Carver House

America 250 Stamp

Moses Carver Grave

George Washington Carver

Tree Ring History

Carver's Bedroom

See full list of Ranger Dan's National Parks Visited here.

Our Route 66 Adventures: World's Largest Fork by Mass

Date of Visit: April 30, 2026

The World's Largest Fork by Mass is not on Route 66, but it is just a little bit of a detour for a classic roadside attraction of something giant. At one time it was the World's Largest Fork, but there are now taller ones. However, it seems that it still remains the World's Largest Fork by Mass.

Following the directions to the address and not finding a giant fork right away was confusing. Looking closer at the map, we found that the fork is on the backside of the building and can found by going around to the parking lot behind the building.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

World's Largest Fork by Mass

2215 W Chesterfield St

Springfield, MO 65807

Our Route 66 Adventures: Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park

Date of Visit: April 30, 2026

The Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park is a small park on one of the Route 66 alignments through Springfield, MO. The park has a few picnic tables, a butterfly garden, and a replica of the famous Giant Hamburg sign.

The original Giant Hamburg sign was in front of Red's Giant Hamburg which was on Route 66 in Springfield, MO. It was meant to be Giant Hamburger, but it was made too tall, so the ER were cut off making it Giant Hamburg. Red's Giant Hamburg was possibly the world's first drive through restaurant.

On the other side of the street from the park is some more local history as it is where the city of Springfield started. There is also The College Street Great Mosaic Wall.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

Birthplace of 66 Roadside Park

1200 W College St

Springfield, MO 65806

Our Route 66 Adventures: History Museum on the Square

Date of Visit: April 30, 2026

The History Museum on the Square has five floors of exhibits related to the area's history including Route 66. The main route through the museum starts by taking the elevator to the 5th floor and then working your way down.

The first exhibit on the 5th Floor was "The Birthplace of Route 66," which features Springfield, Missouri, Route 66 history including the telegraph that led to the it being named Route 66.

There was also an exhibit about Wild Bill Hickok on the 5th floor. The shootout he was involved in on the same square as the museum is the first documented in the west.

The "Trains, Trolleys, and Transportation" exhibit on the 3rd floor had an interesting game to play.

On the 1st floor, there is an exhibit about the Trail of Tears and the Native American experience in the Ozarks. The information desk has a National Park stamp for the Trail of Tears NHT (year is expired, though).

At the time of our visit, the current special exhibit was "Only in Springfield! From Hometown to Headlines” in honor of America's 250th.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

History Museum on the Square

154 Park Central Square

Springfield, MO 65806

Our Route 66 Adventures: Steak 'n Shake

Date of Visit: April 30, 2026

While exploring Springfield, Missouri, we stopped at the Steak 'n Shake on St. Louis St. (Route 66) for an early lunch.

This location still has the old style look. It is also different from the typical Steak 'n Shake in that it has table service. They also have some carhop spots.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

Steak 'n Shake

1158 E St Louis St

Springfield, MO 65806

Our Route 66 Adventures: Route 66 Car Museum

Date of Visit: April 30, 2026

Over the years, we have ended up at quite a few car museums because they are among the few places Mik actually asks to visit. Sometimes I find them boring because they are just cars to look at and not much info about the cars. The Route 66 Car Museum, though, had a sign with details for most, if not all, of the cars that were on display, which made it feel like a real museum and not just a car collection. However, in the end it is just one guy's car collection and he has decided to retire, so the museum is expected to close in April 2027 and the collection is to be sold off.

My favorite part of the collection was this gas pump with the lit up white crown.

c.1900 Springfield Wagon

This Springfield wagon was also an interesting piece of local history in the collection.

1926 Hudson Truck

This vehicle has a connection to Route 66 in that it was originally a 1926 Super Six truck used in The Grapes of Wrath movie.

1934 Ford Brewster

1934 American Bantam

1907 REO Model G

Polly Gas Pump

1966 Ford Bronco

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.

Destination Info:

Route 66 Car Museum

1634 W College St

Springfield, MO 65806

Our Koffee Trail: Liberty Brew Coffee

Date of Visit: May 30, 2026

Location: Liberty Brew Coffee, Conway, SC

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

This weekend's coffee outing was to Liberty Brew Coffee because we wanted to try their Salted Caramel Toffee Latte.

Mom and I had the Salted Caramel Toffee Latte hot. Mik had it iced. Dad had the Golden Hour Latte (white chocolate, raspberry, pistachio) from their May seasonal menu.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Check out some of our other Myrtle Beach area posts:

• Be Known Coffee & Roaster ❤️
• Benjamin's Bakery & Cafe ❤️
• Grand Strand Coffee ❤️
• Rustic Roast ❤️