One of the stops Ted and I were looking forward to on Route 66 was Pop’s–a gas station/ restaurant featuring over 700 flavors of pop. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Pop’s, looking at the displays and partaking of the fare.
A 66-foot tall bottle at the roadside announces that you have arrived at your destination: Pop’s.
If you want an idea of how tall a 66-foot pop bottle is, check out my scale figure–Ted.
Ted is less than five bottle rings tall.
The front and back walls of Pop’s building are wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows filled with shelves of (empty) pop bottles.
It’s a colorful way to decorate, but who dusts all those bottles? They were clean, so I know someone does.
Six-pack carrying cartons are ready for customers to fill with whatever flavors they choose–if they can make a choice from such a plethora of fizzy favorites.
Each of the coolers along the wall is stocked with a specific variety of pop: lemon, lime, cherry, grape, orange, etc. Which of the 40 or 50 shades of grape would you choose? How would you make your decision?
Since Pop’s is on Route 66, some of the walls are decorated with iconic scenes from along the route. One of the pictures showed the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Another showed the Coral Court Motel in St. Louis. In 1989, the Coral Court Motel was designated on the National Register of Historic Places as a magnificent example of art deco architecture. It was at its peak during the heyday of automobile tourism on Route 66, but declined when I-44 bypassed the motel. Many people in St. Louis (including Ted and me) remember a phase of its decline when it was available at hourly room rates. (Ahem!)
Naturally, Route 66 souvenirs are available at this roadside attraction, and so are Pop’s-specific items. This Pop’s sweatshirt was Ted’s and my favorite.
Before leaving, Ted and I decided to complete our pop experience with a childhood summer favorite: an ice cream float.
They tasted just like we remembered. Can you even buy flavored pop in the grocery stores any more?
And now, a special offer for you, one of my select few readers. You could be the winner of the “Blogette Reader Challenge.”
The Blogette Reader Challenge
When Ted and I finished our ice cream sodas, the waitress brought our check to us. Neither of us knew what her handwritten message meant, so we asked her. If any of you readers know what “Perchiate Cha” means, please email me. If you are correct, your first name will be given Honorable Mention in an upcoming blog post.
