Okay, so I’ve been wanting to do this project for a while – finding and photographing the Route 66 Begin sign in Chicago. It’s, like, a super iconic thing for road trip lovers, and I’m definitely one of those!
Getting Started
First things first, I did some digging online. I mean, you can’t just wander around Chicago hoping to stumble upon it, right? The city’s huge! I found out the sign is on East Adams Street, right near the Art Institute. That narrowed things down a bit.
The Hunt Begins
So, I hopped on the train and headed downtown. When I got to the general area, I still felt a little lost. I knew it was close, but I couldn’t quite spot it. I started walking east on Adams, keeping my eyes peeled. There were a few other “Route 66” signs around, which was kinda confusing. Were those it? Nope.
False Alarms and Frustration
I walked past a few that were clearly not the “Begin” sign. They were just regular Route 66 markers. I started to get a little frustrated, to be honest. I thought, “Did I get the street wrong? Is it even still there?” I even asked a couple of people, but no one seemed to know what I was talking about.
Eureka!
But then, there it was! Right in front of me, across the street from a park area (which I later learned was Grant Park). It was smaller than I expected, and kinda tucked away, but unmistakably the “Route 66 Begin” sign. I felt this little rush of excitement – like I’d found a hidden treasure!
Capturing the Moment
Of course, I immediately pulled out my phone and started snapping pictures. I took shots from different angles, trying to get the best light. I even waited for a few cars to pass to get that classic “road trip” vibe in the photo. I probably looked like a total tourist, but I didn’t even care. I got my shot!
The Aftermath
Afterward, I walked around the area a bit more, soaking up the atmosphere. It’s a pretty cool spot, with the Art Institute right there and the park across the street. It really felt like the start of something epic, even though it’s just a sign.
So, that’s my little adventure finding the Route 66 Begin sign. It wasn’t some grand expedition, but it was definitely a fun little mission. And now I have the pictures to prove it! It makes me want to plan a real Route 66 road trip someday.
