Day 1: From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Mother Road

Every great road trip starts with a journey, and today ours began long before we turned the key.

We traded the mountains of Western North Carolina for the skyscrapers of Chicago, flying from Asheville to Midway and heading to the birthplace of Route 66. After landing, we skipped the rental car and rode the CTA Orange Line to downtown, watching Chicago's skyline emerge as we approached the Loop.

Our home for the night was the historic Palmer House Hilton, a Chicago landmark and the longest continuously operating hotel in North America. Originally opened in 1871 as a wedding gift from Potter Palmer to his wife, Bertha, the hotel blends history and elegance at every turn. The soaring painted ceiling, glittering chandeliers, and grand staircase make the lobby feel more like a European palace than a downtown hotel.

One of the hotel's most impressive features is its famous Peacock Doors. Designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the massive bronze doors showcase intricate peacock motifs and Art Nouveau craftsmanship. More than a century old, they feel as much like artwork as architecture.

For dinner, we visited The Berghoff, one of Chicago's oldest restaurants. Its old-world atmosphere, classic German fare, and rich history made it the perfect choice on the eve of our Route 66 adventure. Over a great meal, of

Before heading back to the hotel, we made one final stop: the Route 66 Begin sign at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue. Standing beside the iconic marker was a surprisingly emotional moment. We had traveled nearly 700 miles from home, yet the real journey was just beginning. Tomorrow, we start driving the Mother Road.

Stay tuned. The adventure is officially underway.

The bean