Date: May 16, 2026
Location: Rustic Roast (Conway, SC)
Rating: ❤️ (Love)
Date of Visit: April 28-29, 2026
When we arrived at the Best Western Rail Haven, a significant hail storm had just come through and the power was out in half of Springfield including at the hotel. Thus, we had to check in by filling out a paper form rather than the usual electronic check in. Dad joked that it was just how Elvis checked in when he stayed here in 1956.
Before heading to our room, we checked out the old car outside the office.
At the Best Western Rail Haven, we stayed in the Elvis room, which is the room Elvis stayed in here in 1956. It is not how it originally was, but has been decorated with an Elvis theme.
While there was a break in the rain and we were waiting for power to be restored, we walked around the motel and found they had some of their old signs on display between the buildings.
It was interesting to find the power was back because the taillights in bed all of the sudden lit up.
We did not use it, but there was a jacuzzi tub in the Elvis room.
After the power came back on, we went and checked out the sign by the road again to see it lit up.
Overall we enjoyed our stay at the Best Western Rail Haven and, in particular, it was fun to stay in the Elvis room. Not sure it is worth it's normal cost as the shower, tub, and bathroom in general were rather worn, but it was a fun use of my points to stay there for one night for free.
See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.
Date of Visit: May 10, 2026
Location: Milk & Honey Coffee Cafe, Surfside Beach, SC
Rating: 👍 (Like)
For our Sunday family coffee outing, we decided to find somewhere new to try and ended up at Milk & Honey Coffee Cafe. We found they have a decent variety of different house made syrups. We only got coffee, but I was tempted to also try their cruffins (croissant muffins).
I had a Maple Sea Salt Latte. Mom had a Lavender Vanilla Latte. Dad had a Rosemary Vanilla Latte (don't recommend as you cannot even taste the rosemary). Mik had an Iced Banana Foster Latte.
Date of Visit: May 6, 2026
Location: Coffee With a Twist, Nitro, WV
Rating: ❤️ (Love)
Date of Visit: May 5, 2026
Location: The Electric Brew, Elkhart, IN
Rating: 👍 (Like)
This morning we got coffee at The Electric Brew in Elkhart before getting an oil change and heading up to the island to open the cottage for the season.
I had the Honey Bear Macchiato (hazelnut, butterscotch, honey).
Dad had Lyn's from the Barista's Favorite menu (Chocolate Banana Bread Latte - banana puree and mocha).
See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.
We didn’t originally plan to do any Route 66 on our way home, but since we were headed to open up the cottage in Michigan, we ended up near Route 66 from Springfield, MO until we neared Chicago and headed east to Indiana. Thus, we decided to at least stop at Cozy Dog Drive In in Springfield, IL. We also made last minute decisions to stop at Lincoln Home NHS and Wally’s.
The Homestead Rest Area/Welcome Center had some Route 66 art on their wall. We also picked up some Illinois Route 66 maps and magazines. As I flipped though the Springfield one, we learned about some passport programs that we could pick up at the Lincoln Home NHS.
We had an early lunch (or brunch?) at Cozy Dog Drive In as we went through Springfield, IL.
We decided to make a quick stop at Lincoln Home NHS for the 250 stamps and pick up the Springfield passports so we could plan if we wanted to do them when we come through Springfield later this year. While we didn't stay long, we did make sure to get some Ranger Dan photos as this is where we got the original Ranger Dan almost exactly ten years ago in 2016.
Our final Route 66 stop was at Wally’s. I had heard about it, but did not put it own our plan for our Route 66 trip this fall as it is a bit off the Route 66 alignment we plan to follow in that area.
See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.
Date of Visit: May 4, 2026
Location: Midway Coffee Co, Waynesville, MO
Rating: ❤️ (Love)
As we hit the road this morning, we searched for coffee on the route. Midway Coffee Co. came up as the first one that would be open as we passed by. It turned out to be very conveniently located on the frontage road between two exits (also Route 66 goes along the interstate on opposite side in this area). They also have a good variety of regular specialties and seasonal spring drinks.
Dad got the When the Sun Goes Down (white coffee, bourbon caramel, toasted marshmallow, mocha drizzle) from the Spring Menu.
I got the Awesome Blossom (white chocolate, banana, amaretto, sea salt caramel drizzle) also from the Spring Menu.
See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.
See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here and Google map here.
