Getting their old-fashioned kicks

Most caravans on Route 66 are of the motorized variety. But there is ongoing tour of Route 66 from St. James, Mo., to Springfield, Mo., that harkens back to the days before the horseless carriage.

The Ozark Mountain Mule and Donkey Days Wagon Trail will be going through Lebanon, Mo., on Wednesday with about 15 horse-drawn wagons and 50 riders, according to the Lebanon Daily Record. It will be moseying through at a speed of about 5 mph.

Here’s the wagon train route that day:

The train … will leave its Sleeper-area campsite at about 8 a.m. and travel Old Route 66 to Lebanon. Once the train reaches Route MM, local law-enforcement will take point and lead the group through Lebanon.

The train will move on Route MM, go past St. John’s Hospital-Lebanon to Cowan Drive. The train will continue on Cowan Drive to Missouri 32, then will go right on 32 to Jefferson Avenue. Once on Jefferson Avenue, the train will turn south and head toward Evergreen. The group will continue on Evergreen and will cross Interstate 44 at the 127 exit, then move to Route W. The train will follow Route W to Phillipsburg, then cross the Interstate again to Route CC, which will take it to Conway. The train will end the Wednesday leg of its journey near Conway.

The wagon train ends Friday at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield. Photo gallery is here.

This event serves to remind Route 66ers that the Mother Road followed older trails through Missouri, including the Old Wire Road and Ozark Trails.

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