Wednesday the 18th: Funk's Grove, Normal, Stickney

*This little piece of the trip was the only time I slyly convinced my fellow travelers to join me on a Route 66 adventure. We chose to leave Springfield after lunch so we could make it to Funke's Grove for Maple Sirup when they opened at 1, they have been selling sirup here for almost 100 years. They also make wonderful maple sugar candy. Then we followed the Route into Bloomington and Normal, stopping at the only English style gas station on the route, still open with a nice gift shop (http://www.ryburnplace.com/). Terri told us about the Normal picture op just as you leave town. From here we joined the interstate and drove to a friend's recommendation for supper, Villa Nova Stickney pizza. We were disappointed the dining room and restaurant weren't open, but we found a nice park to eat in and enjoyed our pizza before heading to the hotel.