A to Z Challenge: The R Towns #atozchallenge

During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016

RThe R Towns

Roswell, New Mexico

Let's Crash in Roswell wall art
Let’s Crash in Roswell wall art
Have a Coke and a Smile?? Coke machine in Roswell...
Have a Coke and a Smile?? Coke machine in Roswell…
UFOs in Roswell
UFOs in Roswell
Need some alien stuff? Plenty in Roswell
Need some alien stuff? Plenty in Roswell
King's Treasure World, Roswell
King’s Treasure World, Roswell
More Art in Roswell, NM
More Art in Roswell, NM
Alien Matador greets guests at El Toro Bravo Mexican Restaurant in Roswell, NM
Alien Matador greets guests at El Toro Bravo Mexican Restaurant in Roswell, NM
How can I do a post about towns that start with the letter R and NOT include Roswell, New Mexico?  I can’t!!  Roswell is perhaps the most out of this world town in the United States (I’ll cover Vulcan, Alberta as Canada’s out of this world town in the V Towns post next week). On a return trip from Arizona, my daughter, son and grandchildren drove through Roswell and then home through Texas.  I didn’t write a post about this trip though I do have a number of photos from the trip on my Pinterest and SmugMug pages.  Roswell is a fun place!

Regent, North Dakota

Welcome to Regent and Enchanted Highway Road Map
Welcome to Regent and Enchanted Highway Road Map
Sumoflam on the Enchanted Highway near Regent, ND
Sumoflam on the Enchanted Highway near Regent, ND
Enchanted Highway Gift Shop in Regent, ND - closed the day were there
Enchanted Highway Gift Shop in Regent, ND – closed the day were there
Enchanted Highway in North Dakota
Enchanted Highway in North Dakota
Enchanted Highway Stop #5 - Pheasants on the Prairie
Enchanted Highway Stop #5 – Pheasants on the Prairie
Fisherman's Dream, one of the many Ginormous scrap metal sculptures on the Enchanted Highway
Fisherman’s Dream, one of the many Ginormous scrap metal sculptures on the Enchanted Highway
Regent, North Dakota is the southern Gateway to the Enchanted Highway, one of the most amazing offbeat and quirky drives in the United States. The 32 mile drive features a number of pieces of the unique (and massive) artwork of retired Regent, ND school teacher Gary Greff who has taken on this effort in order to keep the small dying town from becoming a ghost town.  To me, this is a Top Ten Road Trip Destination.  One of my most popular posts on this blog is my complete photo/travel review of Regent and the Enchanted Highway.  Check it out – complete with maps, descriptions, mile points, satellite photos — its right HERE.

Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Autumn and "Grampz" with the Hodag of Rhinelander, WI
Autumn and “Grampz” with the Hodag of Rhinelander, WI
In 2012 I took a three day trip to Wisconsin with one of my daughters and her daughter.  We visited Jurustic Park (see my M Town Posts), Green Bay, Egg Harbor (see my E Town Posts) and also made our way north on US 51 until we hit US 8 and then headed east toward Rhinelander, also known as the “Heart of Hodag Country.”  What, pray tell, is a Hodag? There is a great unique writeup HERE. According to the Rhinelander website, the Hodag is a mysterious woodland creature that makes its home in the Rhinelander Area. Why the Hodag is only found in the Rhinelander Area is not certain. However, many people believe that it is the clean lakes, dense forests and incredible natural beauty that ties the Hodag to the Rhinelander Area.  See more about this trip HERE.

Rabbit Hash, Kentucky

Welcome to Rabbit Hash, KY
Welcome to Rabbit Hash, KY
Rabbit Hash General Store
Rabbit Hash General Store
Rabbit Has Mayor - Lucy Lou
Rabbit Has Mayor – Lucy Lou
One of the country’s uniquely named towns is a small Ohio River town known as Rabbit Hash, Kentucky.  According to the Rabbit Hash website: “The town’s name, “Rabbit Hash” is said to have originated during the flood of 1847 when the abundant local rabbit population was driven to higher ground and became a food staple in a special stew called “hash.” Little documented history of Rabbit Hash actually survives, primarily because devastating Ohio River floods in 1884, 1913 and 1937 deluged the little town and ruined many records.”  See more about my 2008 visit to Rabbit Hash.  A fun side trip for anyone!  Read it HERE.

Raton, New Mexico

Raton Theatre in Raton, NM
Raton Theatre in Raton, NM
El Kapp Motel in Raton, NM
El Kapp Motel in Raton, NM
Head south on Interstate 25 out of Trinidad, Colorado, cross into New Mexico and you come into the throwback touristy town of Raton, NM, which is also at the intersection of US Highways 64 and 87. The town is dotted with 50s and 60s style neon signs and motels, a nice retro downtown area and a great Visitor’s Center. You can see more about my Colorado/New Mexico trip and my visit to Raton HERE.

Red Lodge, Montana

Welcome to Red Lodge, Montana
Welcome to Red Lodge, Montana
The Red Lodge Cafe sports an old classic neon sign.
The Red Lodge Cafe sports an old classic neon sign.
Detail of the "Whispering Giant" of Red Lodge, Montana...one of many across the country
Detail of the “Whispering Giant” of Red Lodge, Montana…one of many across the country
Visiting the Beartooth Scenic Highway in Wyoming in 2014
Visiting the Beartooth Scenic Highway in Wyoming in 2014
View of the Beartooths from the highway was awesome
View of the Beartooths from the highway was awesome
Red Lodge, Montana is one of the gateways to the Beartooth Scenic Highway (US Highway 212), perhaps one of the most scenic and splendid high mountain drives in the country. The town itself is beautiful, though touristy as it also promotes itself as a Gateway to Yellowstone National Park as well. Read about my 2014 Beartooth Highway and Red Lodge experience in more detail HERE.

Riverside, Iowa (Honorable Mention)

Starship Riverside in Riverside, Iowa
Starship Riverside in Riverside, Iowa
Star Trek Visitor Center - Riverside, IA
Star Trek Visitor Center – Riverside, IA
Future Birthplace of James T. Kirk
Future Birthplace of James T. Kirk
If you are a Star Trek fan than you know about Riverside, Iowa.  It is most likely the only town you can find that is the FUTURE BIRTHPLACE of someone, in this case, Captain James T. Kirk, who is scheduled to be born on March 2, 2228. Touting itself as the place “Where the Trek Begins,” you can find some Star Trek memorabilia, a Starship replica and more.

Rugby, North Dakota (Honorable Mention)

Rugby, ND - The Geographic Center of North America
Rugby, ND – The Geographic Center of North America
The Rugby Geographical Center of North America monument juxtaposed with the HUB Motel sign in Rugby, ND
The Rugby Geographical Center of North America monument juxtaposed with the HUB Motel sign in Rugby, ND
Rugby, ND in 2014
Rugby, ND in 2014
Unique Water Tower in Rugby, ND
Unique Water Tower in Rugby, ND
You may think North Dakota is in the northern climes, but, actually, when considering North America, it is almost in the middle.  In fact, the small town of Rugby IS the Geographical Center of North America. Not too far off of US Highway 2 in North Dakota, its a good photo opportunity.  See more about my US Highway 2 Zip Trip across North Dakota HERE.

Rudyard, Montana (Honorable Mention)

Welcome to Rudyard ... one of the classic signs, "Lots of nice people and one sorehead"
Welcome to Rudyard … one of the classic signs, “Lots of nice people and one sorehead”
Rudyard Depot Museum
Rudyard Depot Museum
The dinosaur sculpture off of US Highway 2 near Rudyard, made by farmer Byron Wolery of Inverness, MT
The dinosaur sculpture off of US Highway 2 near Rudyard, made by farmer Byron Wolery of Inverness, MT
Further west on US Highway 2 in Montana is the town of Rudyard. They claim to have 596 Nice People and 1 Old Sore Head as can be seen by the sign above. Even though the town is small, they also have a small museum, which apparently has some dinosaur-related things.  You can read more about the town and surrounding towns on Montana’s Hi-Line (US Highway 2) — HERE.

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