A passion for McDonald's has been a trademark of Anna's family for years.   So it is a thrill to bring the Anna / Dr Pepper can to the site of the first McDonald's that was opened by corporation founder Ray Kroc -- paving the way for more than 34,000 restaurants serving 68 million customers in 119 countries today.   Located in the Chicago surburb of Des Plaines, the First Store Museum (at left) is a replica of Ray Kroc's first store, which opened in 1955, along with an original sign.   Of note, this is not the original McDonald's, which was opened by the McDonald brothers in California, but rather the first under Ray Kroc who later bought the company and transformed the fast food industry.   Beginning in 2009, Dr Pepper became available in all of the U.S. McDonald's (previously about 40 percent of U.S. sites served a rival product).

Editor's Note:  The Anna / Dr Pepper Can reaches new heights when we return on Thursday with the conclusion of her trip to Chicago.