17Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

M is for Mountains – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Mountains, National Monuments, National Parks, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Travel Blogging, Unique Places, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming
I love the mountains.  I spent a good part of my life in the mountains - New Mexico, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Arizona.  These are the BIG mountains. Having lived in Kentucky for the past 25 years, I hear of people that live in "the mountains of Kentucky" or heading to "the mountains of West Virginia." In my perspective these are more like hills. But, by the broader definition, there are mountains in states like Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia.  Maybe even Tennessee. [caption id="attachment_4624" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Purple Mountain Majesties - Sawtooth range in Central Idaho[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17974" align="alignright" width="200"] Here I am at the Sandia Overlook near Albuquerque in 1964[/caption] When I take trips to the Western US, I always try to make an effort to get to the…
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08Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

G is for Grandeur – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Arizona, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Big Cities, Bison, Buffalo, California, City Skylines, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Farmland, Florida, Geologic Formations, Idaho, Kentucky, Landscapes, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pelicans, Pennsylvania, Pronghorn Antelope, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Sandhill Cranes, Selfies, South Dakota, Swamps, Texas, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Utah, Virginia, Volcanic Sites, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming
The United States is a vast and diverse country. From sea to shining sea there are sweeping vistas and spectacular scenes of nature. The grandeur of this country is not seen on the interstate highways, but on the back roads and the gravel roads that have woven the fiber of this country. [caption id="attachment_17743" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Grandeur as seen on a back road in North Dakota - The Enchanted Highway[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15481" align="alignleft" width="300"] Mt. Moran in the Grand Tetons as seen from Colter Bay Lodge[/caption] I am always awestruck by the superb landscapes that one can witness on the back roads. Some of these landscapes, such as the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, are known by everybody. But there are so many more spectacles to feast your eyes…
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05Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

D is for Diners, Dives and Drive-ins – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Alabama, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Burger Joints, California, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, People Shots, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, Selfies, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia
What is April A to Z? Every April, bloggers from all over the world participate in the April A to Z blog challenge, and you can too. It’s a lot of fun and it’s a great way to meet other bloggers. To play along, all you do is make a blog post for each letter of the alphabet during April, then visit as many other bloggers as you can. Road trips would never be the same without the opportunity to stop at local diners, dives and drive-ins (OK...I gotta give credit to Guy Fieri). Food is such an important part of a road trip. Obviously, no matter where one drives they always come across the chain shops like McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC, etc. With those places, the food you get is…
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20Mar 2017 by David Kravetz

Sumoflam’s #AtoZChallenge Theme Reveal: Wanderlust

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Random Thoughts, Selfies, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Unique Places, Wanderlust
Last year I decided to take on a challenge from my author friend Tui Snider, namely, to participate in the 2016 Bloggers A to Z Challenge.  It was not easy.  The rules of the challenge are to post 26 blog posts, one a day, except on Sundays, and all based on a self-defined theme and in alphabetical order. You can see my entire list of last year's posts with links on my Reflections Post from May 2016.  Check it out at https://lessbeatenpaths.com/a-to-z-challenge-complete-list/ Ultimately, despite the grueling challenge, I have decided to tackle it again this year.  Read more to see the theme! [caption id="attachment_17256" align="alignright" width="200"] Travel the US[/caption] As a travel blogger (and sometimes blogger of things odd and quirky and offbeat), I plan on keeping my theme along…
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08Mar 2017 by David Kravetz

Watch for my 2017 A to Z Blog Challenge Reveal on March 20 #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Roadside Attractions, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries
Last April (in 2016), I participated in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  I was a "Survivor" since I did a post for each letter through the month of April. Last year I posted about Unique Towns Across America.  You can see my Reveal Post from last year HERE. I had a load of fun and met many new bloggers online as a result...I even learned a few things. You can see my entire list with links on my Reflections Post from May 2016.  Check it out at https://lessbeatenpaths.com/a-to-z-challenge-complete-list/ Chances are that this year there will still be a travel related A to Z posting from me, but it may have a few fun twists. So, please make sure to check out my blog to see my BIG REVEAL…
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14Jul 2016 by David Kravetz

Rails to Trails for Biking: An Overview

Backroads Discoveries, Bike Trails, Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Farmland, Kentucky, Landscapes, National Parks, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Staycations, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, West Virginia
[caption id="attachment_16787" align="alignleft" width="300"] Julianne the biker![/caption] In recent weeks, my wife Julianne has taken to riding on bike trails around the upper Midwest. In the past few weeks she has ridden bike trails in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and will soon be on a nice trail in Virginia. She is finding these very enjoyable and has done some with her sister and some with our daughter Marissa, and one even with the grandchildren.  As a support driver I enjoy taking her and driving the back roads to meet her (and the others) along the trail. Many of my upcoming blog posts will cover some of these scenic bike trails, many which are called Rails to Trails. This post is an overview of these trails with links to…
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13May 2016 by David Kravetz

Sumoflam Interviewed on Teal Gray Worldwide Podcast

Backroads Discoveries, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Travel Blogging, Unique Places
I was recently honored to be interviewed on a podcast hosted by Dr. Teal L. Gray, from Texas. She often delves into travel and the mysterious things of the world. [caption width="226" id="attachment_15922" align="alignleft"] Dr. Teal L. Gray[/caption] I was introduced to Teal by fellow travel writer/blogger Tui Snider, who has authored three books including one on the interesting and offbeat in North Texas. Teal has followed both my travel blog and is a fan of my photography. [caption width="469" id="attachment_15923" align="aligncenter"] Teal Gray Worldwide Blog[/caption] In her podcast we discussed the origins of my Sumoflam name, my travels around the US and Canada, my TV shows in Japan and my photography. I am grateful to her for this opportunity and wanted to share it again with my blog viewers…
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29Apr 2016 by David Kravetz

A to Z Challenge: The Y Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bison, Bucket List Trips, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Family Travel, Geologic Formations, Montana, Mountains, National Parks, Nebraska, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 412, US Highway 81, US Highway 89, Vintage Neon, Water Towers
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 towns. To see what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The Y Towns Yampa, Colorado [caption id="attachment_15804" align="alignnone" width="300"] Yampa, Colorado[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15807" align="alignnone" width="300"] Old Royal Hotel/Bar in Yampa, CO (burned down in Jan 2015)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4491" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sunset as seen from Yampa, CO[/caption] [caption…
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26Apr 2016 by David Kravetz

A to Z Challenge: The V Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Alberta, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Horse Art, Horses, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Lewis and Clark Sites, Montana, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, Place Names, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Television Shows, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 41, US Highway 50, US Highway 61, US Highway 62, US Highway 89, Utah, Wall Art, Water Towers
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 towns. To see what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The V Towns Vulcan, Alberta [caption id="attachment_161" align="alignnone" width="239"] Welcome to Vulcan Plaque[/caption] [caption id="attachment_13531" align="alignnone" width="300"] Welcome to Vulcan in Klingon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_12634" align="alignnone" width="300"] At the Starship Enterprise in Vulcan, Alberta 2007[/caption] [caption id="attachment_163" align="alignnone"…
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21Apr 2016 by David Kravetz

A to Z Challenge: The R Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Iowa, Kentucky, Large Statues, Montana, Mountains, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, National Parks, New Mexico, North Dakota, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Route 66, Selfies, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 2, US Highway 212, US Highway 64, US Highway 87, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Yard Art
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 The R Towns Roswell, New Mexico [caption width="300" id="attachment_15661" align="alignnone"] Let's Crash in Roswell wall art[/caption] [caption width="300" id="attachment_3278" align="alignnone"] Have a Coke and a Smile?? Coke machine in Roswell...[/caption] [caption width="300" id="attachment_15663" align="alignnone"] UFOs in Roswell[/caption] [caption width="300" id="attachment_15660"…
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