AtoZ Challenge 2020 – 8154: An Epic Road Trip – The A Stories #atozchallenge

In early 2020 I traveled across the country with one of my daughters and three grandchildren.  We traveled 8154 miles through 20 states over the course of three weeks.  My A to Z posts this year will have the “8154” theme, which will also be the title of my forthcoming new book that will document the epic road trip.  Each entry will highlight a few stories with photos based on the alphabet, and not the order of the trip  I hope you will enjoy this bouncy ride across the back roads of America.  Please enjoy the A Stories. (all photography by David “Sumoflam” Kravetz)

Alcatraz Island – San Francisco, CA

While in California in mid-February, we visited San Francisco and viewed Alcatraz Island, the famed island-prison, from afar.

Visit Alcatraz
Alcatraz Prison on an island in the bay.

Avenue of the Giants, near Pepperwood, CA and other northern locations

On this trip we drove US Highway 101 all the way from northern Washington, though Oregon and all the way to Santa Cruz, CA, where we took Highway 1.  Along the way, in northern California, in the Redwood Forest, we took Avenue of the Giants, a nice 31 mile drive through the giant redwoods. Following are few shots from this lovely drive through amazing giant redwood trees.

Avenue of the Giants, northern California
Sumoflam Selfie on the Avenue of the Giants
Avenue of the Giants near Scotia, CA
Avenue of the Giants near Scotia, CA

Anaconda, Montana

Our trip from Kentucky eventually took us through Montana on our way to Washington.  Taking back roads, we took a drive through the historic mining town of Anaconda, Montana.

Welcome to Anaconda, Montana
Anaconda, Montana

Alliance, Nebraska

Alliance, Nebraska is the home of the famed tourist attraction Carhenge.  I wrote about Carhenge in my third book and, as a result, I was invited to do a book signing at the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center in Alliance.

The Alliance Theater, Alliance, Nebraska
Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska

Awesome Possum Flea Market – Hamburg, Iowa

Always fun to find unique store fronts.  We found the Awesome Possum Flea Market in Hamburg, Iowa. Despite being almost late January, they were still playing Christmas music on a loud speaker outside of the store.

Awesome Possum Flea Market

Aaron Applebaum – Swamp Tour Guide Extraordinaire – Caddo Lake in Uncertain, Texas

On our return trip home we stopped in Uncertain, Texas to take a swamp tour, our second one, with Aaron Applebaum, who runs Mystique Tours and gives boat rides year-round through the swamps of Caddo Lake.  Aaron is very friendly and knows the swamp well.  You are in very good hands with him.  My good friend and fellow travel writer Tui Snider and her husband Larry, joined us on this trip.

Taking a swamp ride with Aaron Applebaum of Mystique Tours. In this photo are Lyla, Joselyn, Marissa, and Landen Noe, Aaron Applebaum, Larry and Tui Snider and me.
Hanging with Aaron Applebaum

Animals Are Wild – Sequoia National Park, California

Be warned, when you are in the national parks and national forests, animals are wild and should not be fed or touched.  The sign below tells it all.

All Park Animals are Wild — Sequoia National Park, California

Alien Fresh Jerky and Crazy Giant Aliens – Baker, California

A drive through Baker, California offers the unwitting tourist a delightful mix of eye-candy and tasty treats.  Sadly, when we got to Baker, Alien Fresh Jerky was closed, but we still got to see the fun.  Watch out for Aliens!!

Alien Fresh Jerky, Baker, CA
Alien Fresh Jerky Shop, Baker, CA
Watch for the aliens. Look carefully and you might see a strange human reflection.
Alien Street Lamp… Peace Out
Try the Invisible Jerky

Arrowhead Motel – Hyannis, Nebraska

Another of the many unique signs discovered on the backroads of America.  This one was in the small town of Hyannis, Nebraska

Arrowhead Motel sign in Hyannis, Nebraska

Audubon Parkway – near Owensboro, Kentucky

We left from Kentucky and, on part of the trip form Lexington, we took the Audubon Parkway, which was named after John James Audubon, the famed bird artist, who was from Kentucky.

Audubon Parkway, Kentucky

Alibi Pub and Eatery – Wilbur, Washington

Wilbur, Washington is a small town on US Route 20 west of Spokane.  I liked the store front, so here it is.  Alibi Pub has a Facebook page.

Alibi Pub and Eatery in Wilbur, WA

Alioto’s Restaurant, 8 Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California

I love unique signs.  Driving through the Fisherman’s Wharf district of San Francisco, I saw this fishy sign.  Sure wish we could have stopped to eat here.  Looks good.  Check out Alioto’s on their Website.

Aliotos Neon Sign, San Francisco

Ardmore, South Dakota

Drive across America and you will see many small towns, like the ghost town of Ardmore, South Dakota which sits on SD 71 just north of the Nebraska border in the Ogalala National Grassland.

Ardmore, South Dakota

Arkansas

One of the twenty states we drive through.  Welcome to Arkansas!

Welcome to Arkansas

WATCH FOR MY NEW BOOK “8154” — COMING SOON TO AMAZON

I am currently working on my FOURTH book, titled “8154” to represent the mileage of my epic road trip with family.  You can visit my Amazon Author Page to see my other books at https://amzn.to/3azY36l

 

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