One of the many enduring tourist stops along the Ozark Mountains stretch of Route 66 is the landmark Totem Pole Trading Post at the west end of Rolla (pop. 14,100; RAW-la). In the center of town, right along old Route 66 on the campus of the University of Missouri at Rolla, another draw is the working replica of that ancient Druidical observatory, Stonehenge. If you have trouble finding it, this miniature Wonder of the World stands across Route 66 from the Great Wall of China—a Chinese restaurant. Talk about “small world. . . .”
Along I-44 east of Rolla, the old Route 66 roadside is lined by ramshackle wooden stands which, at the end of summer, sell Concord grapes from local vineyards. The stands are located along the frontage roads (which in many cases are the remnants of the original Route 66), but people park along the freeway and walk to them. At the east edge of this grape-growing district, which is called Rosati, the small town of Cuba has a number of local history murals and the friendly old Wagon Wheel Motel ($40; 573/885-3411), at 901 E. Washington Street. Another great old roadside stop is the Route 66 Lounge, serving the coldest beer on old Route 66 at 1205 W. Washington Street. (There’s also a “People’s Bank of Cuba,” if you’re interested in a Fidel-themed photo opportunity.)
