Not quite 45 years ago we drove our '67 Mustang (with all our earthly possessions packed in the back seat and trunk) from Ohio to Arizona to make our first home in Arizona. I don't remember how long it took us, but we made it a leisurely drive as it was our honeymoon. We drove the famous Route 66 much of the way as that was before the days of coast-to-coast Interstate Highways! Ever since that trip we have often repeated the story of our one-night stop in Lebanon, Missouri and our stay at the Munger Moss Motel. We've driven through, and even stopped in Lebanon numerous times in our RV travels (there's a Russell Stover Candy Outlet, Cheese Outlet and Antique Store that is a favorite stop) but today as we approached on I-44 heading west from St. Louis we noticed a big billboard for the Munger Moss Motel. Could the place still be in business? We got off at the appropriate exit and sure enough, there it was! We parked in the lot across the street at a bowling alley and went over to the motel and met the owner, Ramona Lehman. She's been there since 1971 and has preserved the motel pretty much as it was then. (Although they now have Free WiFi...didn't have that 45 years ago!) The motel is frequently a stop for travelers reminiscing the "good old days of Route 66." We had our own little bit of nostalgia...we had stayed at the motel, eaten at the adjacent (now gone) restaurant and bowled a couple games at the bowling alley across the street...all for the grand sum of $10 for the evening. Mrs. Lehman was glad to see us and hear our story. She even gave us a couple of small souvenirs. She is active in a group to preserve the old Route 66 and posts stories on her Facebook page for The Munger Moss Motel. There is even a web page www.mungermoss.com that tells the history of the place. It was a fun stop!
