In 2018 I will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada. I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America’s Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.
Ric’s Grill – Steak in Water Tower – Lethbridge, Alberta
Ric’s Grill – Lethbridge, AlbertaRic’s Grill – Lethbridge, Alberta
Route 66 Soda / Route Beer – Mokena, Illinois
Route 66 “Route Beer”
Rabbit Hash, Kentucky
Welcome to Rabbit Hash, KYSign at Rabbit Hash RoadThe Old Rabbit Hash General Store. It burned down in 2016 and had to be rebuilt.
Restroom Hiker Mural – Damascus, Virginia
Hiker painting on a restroom wall in Damascus
Other Restroom Fun – Story, Indiana; Hopland, California; San Francisco, California; Cleveland, Ohio; Cypress, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Nebraska City, Nebraska; Ashland, Montana; Frenchglen, Oregon
A sign outside the restrooms at the Story Inn in Story, IndianaThe sign talking about “Weird Restrooms” at Real Goods in Hopland, CAThere were also a number of tile mosaics. This one was at the entrance to the restrooms in Golden Gate Park visitor’s centerTavern of Little Italy Restroom is plastered with the history of Little Italy in ClevelandMen’s Stall Door in restroom at Burger Shack in Cypress, TexasJungle Jim’s Restroom in Cincinnati have entrances that are deceptive. They actually lead to immaculate huge restrooms.Men’s Restroom at Mo’s in Reedsport, OregonSapp Brothers in Nebraska City, the “Cleanest Restrooms on I-29”Restroom Door in a Convenience Store in Ashland, MontanaSometimes even a place like this looks heavenly – the ceramic toilet is a planter. The real place is in the outhouse. Frenchglen, Oregon
Rock City – near Valier, Montana
Rock City Rd. and Dean Rd., north of Valier, MTSumoflam at Rock City north of Valier, MontanaRock City, Montana
Geographical Center of North America – Rugby, North Dakota
Rugby, ND – The Geographic Center of North AmericaThe Rugby Geographical Center of North America monument juxtaposed with the HUB Motel sign in Rugby, ND
Real Goods Store – Hopland, California
Welcome to Real GoodsA view of the Real Goods StoreSumoflam with Solar Expert and Real Goods founder John Schaeffer
Riscky’s Steakhouse and BBQ – Fort Worth, Texas
Riscky’s Steakhouse – Ft. Worth, TexasRiscky’s BBQ – Ft. Worth
Rudyard, Montana
Rudyard Welcome SignSumoflam and Dino – near Rudyard, Montana
Ragged Falls – Algonquin National Park, Ontario
Ragged Falls in Algonquin National Park in Ontario
Rosie the Fish – Sekiu, Washington
Sekiu’s somewhat famous “Rosie” welcomes you to the town
Red Squirrel – Nebraska City, Nebraska
A red squirrel with a mouthful in Nebraska City, NE
Rising Eagle Sculpture – Bismarck, North Dakota
Rising Eagle Sculpture in Pioneer Park, Bismarck, ND
Royal Donut – Danville, Illinois
Royal Donut – Danville, Illinois
Royal Motel – Ironwood, Michigan
A Route 66 type of vintage neon sign at the Royal Motel in Ironwood, MI
Riverside, Iowa
Future Birthplace of James T. Kirk in Riverside, IALive Long and Prosper – Sumoflam and the Starship Riverside
Random Road – Cleveland, Ohio
Mayfield Road and Random Road, by the little park in Little Italy
Romance, Missouri
Road to RomanceRomance Baptist
Roseman Covered Bridge – Winterset, Iowa
Roseman Covered Bridge in Winterset, Iowa
Raton, New Mexico
Raton Theatre in Raton, NMMain Street in Raton, New MexicoEl Kapp Motel in Raton, NM
Rio Brazos Dance Hall – Granbury, Texas
Rio Brazos Dance Hall – Granbury, Texas (now closed)
Roxy Theatre in Choteau, MontanaROXY Theatre in Langdon, NDNew Roxy in Clarksdale, MSMontana Grill and Roxy Theater in Shelby, Montana
Rockpile Museum – Gillette, Wyoming
Rockpile Museum – Gillette, Wyoming
Roosters Roosters – Needville, Texas; E. Peoria, Illinois; Seymour, Missouri; Eldon, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri; Granbury, Texas
A big metal rooster sits in front of the Jay Cafe in Needville, Texas..doesn’t look like a jay to me.Sumoflam with the giant Rooster with a Top Hat at Carl’s Bakery in E. PeoriaUncle Rooster’s Big Rooster on US 60 near Seymour, MissouriMetal Rooster in McIntosh, MNRed Rooster (looks white to me) – Red Rooster Collectibles Eldon, IAGiant Rooster greets you at Joe’s Cafe entrance in Greg Freeman Park, St. LouisBig Rooster in Granbury, Texas
Roadhouse Relics – Austin, Texas
Roadhouse Relics Wall Sign in Austin
Russell Flat Holiness Church – Sand Springs, Kentucky
Russell Flat Holiness Church – Sand Springs, Kentucky
Regent, North Dakota – Home of the Enchanted Highway
Welcome to Regent and Enchanted Highway Road MapEnchanted Highway Gift Shop in Regent, ND – closed the day were there
Ronks, Pennsylvania
Dutch Haven Restaurant, Home of the famed Amish Shoo Fly Pie, located in Ronks, PA just down the road from IntercourseThe Outhouse Gift Shop – Ronks, PA
Russell’s Point, Ohio
Stewart’s Drive In in Russell’s Point, OhioBringing out the ice cream at Stewart’s
Roswell, New Mexico
UFOs in RoswellMore Art in Roswell, NMNeed some alien stuff? Plenty in Roswell
Rexburg, Idaho
Rexburg, IDRexburg LDS Temple
Rocket Rest Stop – Elkmont, Alabama
At the Rocket Rest Stop in Elkmont, AL – home of a Saturn 1B. Taken in 2005Large Saturn Rocket at Welcome Center in Elkmont, Alabama
Ride the Ducks – Seattle, Washington
Ride the Ducks in Seattle
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – Cleveland, Ohio
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, ClevelandRock and Roll Blvd. in Cleveland
Real Quiet Lane – Lexington, Kentucky
Shhh…this is a Real Quiet Lane in Lexington, KY
Red River Gorge – Slade, Kentucky
Red River Gorge near Slade, KYVisiting Kentucky’s Red River Gorge in November 2016
Rachel the Golden Pig – Pikes Place Market – Seattle, Washington
Rachel the Golden Pig (on the right!!!) and Sumoflam at Pike Place Market in Seattle
Redcliff, Colorado
Green Bridge near Redcliff, ColoradoNice carved eagle in Redcliff, Colorado
If you like what you see, you may want to check out my book: Less Beaten Paths of America: Unique Town Names, available on Amazon. My second book, Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions, will be available in late April or early May 2018. Click on the photo below for more details or to get a copy of the book.
In 2018 I will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada. I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America’s Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.
Only, Tennessee
This way to Only, TNThe one and only Only Baptist Church
Oak Creek Canyon – Sedona, Arizona
Sumoflam at the Oak Creek Canyon Overlook in 1982A Century plant in bloom with the scenic Red Rock country of Sedona below. This was taken at the top of Schnebly Hill Road in 1983
Ostriches – Fossil Rim Wildlife Center – Glen Rose, Texas
Angry Ostrich at Fossil Rim
Otterville Falls – Otterville, Ontario
Otterville Falls in Otterville, Ontario, Canada
Owl Heads Grocery – South Irvine, Kentucky
Owl Heads Grocery in South Irvine. Love the sign!
Oculus – Council Bluffs, Iowa
Oculus by Broward Hatcher, at Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs
Family Home For 4 Years – Oita, Japan
Making a New Year’s TV Show in OitaThe village of Usuki, also in Oita, is home of a famous Buddha statue. It is also the original landing place of the Dutch when they first arrived in Japan in the 1600s.
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean as seen from Old Orchard Beach, MECatching the sunrise with grandchildren Jos and Rockwell at Old Orchard Beach
Odd, West Virginia
Odd, West Virginia Post OfficeOdd School Road takes you into the town of Odd, WV
Orca Art – Seattle, Washington & Port Orchard, Washington
Orca Wall Art in SeattleUndersea World mural in Port OrchardA nice Orca Sculpture across the street from the Seattle Aquarium
Dignity: Of Earth & Sky: Oacoma/Chamberlain, South Dakota
Dignity is a stainless steel, 50-foot-tall statue was specifically designed by sculptor Dale Lamphere to honor the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people.Sumoflam at the base of the amazing statue called Dignity which overlooks the towns of Chamberlain and Oacoma in South Dakota.
Omaha, Nebraska
Pioneer brotherhood – Pioneer Memorial, Omaha, NebraskaGiant Wall Mural in Little Mexico district of OmahaOld Zesto Neon near the Omaha Zoo
Over-the-Rhine District – Cincinnati, Ohio
Historic buildings in the Over-the-Rhine district
Orin, Wyoming
US 20 east out of Orin, Wyoming
Orange Moose Bar & Grill – Black River Falls, Wisconsin
Orange Moose in Black River Falls, WI
Olympia, Washington
Washington State Capital Building – Olympia, WashingtonA wonderful Super Hero Mural located in Downtown Olympia, WashingtonAn Octopus mural, one of many wall murals in Olympia
Oldest Lake in America – Clear Lake, California
A view across Clear Lake, one of the oldest freshwater lakes in North America
Once in a Millennium Moon – America’s tallest wall mural – Shreveport, Louisiana
Tallest wall mural in US “Once in a Millennium Moon” is 14 stories tall…in Shreveport, LA
Olde Heidelberg Restaurant – Heidelberg, Ontario
Olde Heidelberg Restaurant – Heidelberg, OntarioSumoflam gnoshing on pig tails at Olde Heidelberg
Okay, Oklahoma
Sumoflam – An Okay ParentThis is an Okay Police DepartmentThis church caters to Okay followers
Our Lady of the Rockies – Butte, Montana
Our Lady of the Rockies, Butte, MTOur Lady of the Rockies info sign at Butte Overlook
Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ – Kansas City, Kansas & Kansas City, Missouri
Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ in a gas station – Kansas City, KSThe waiting line at Oklahoma Joe’sStopped in KC to enjoy lunch with my good friend Brad Sweeten at Oklahoma Joe’s in KC, MO
Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath – Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Sumoflam at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Ohio and Erie Towpath Bike Trailhead
Oddville, Kentucky
Oddville, KentuckyOddville United Methodist Church, Oddville, KY
Oil Springs, Ontario
Oil Springs, Ontario – The location of the First Commercial Oil Well in North AmericaScrap Metal Art in Oil Springs, OntarioOil Springs Scrap Metal Art
Off the Beaten Path Ice Cream – Damascus, Virginia
Off the Beaten Path Ice Cream in Damascus, VAIce Cream Chart in Off the Beaten Path… LOL
Annual Oshawa Rib Fest – Oshawa, Ontario
Davor Zuder and some smokin’ ribs at Oshawa Rib Fest in Ontario in 2008BBQ Pitmaster Oliver Zuder showing off his trophy at the Oshawa Ribfest in 2008 in Ontario
Ocean City, Maryland
Old Paradise Cafe sign in Ocean City. What is a beach resort town without a flamingo or two?Christmas sunrise near Ocean City, Maryland with a dolphin swimming byOcean City, MD in December 2016
Olympic National Park – Washington
Mount Olympus and Olympic National Park as seen from Hwy 104
Onalaska, Wisconsin
I-90 Near Onalaska, Wisconsin
Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse – Paxton, Nebraska
Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse – Paxton, NebraskaBig Moose at Ole’s (and one with antlers too)
Ohio Valley Steelworkers Statue – Steubenville, Ohio
If you like what you see, you may want to check out my book: Less Beaten Paths of America: Unique Town Names, available on Amazon. My second book, Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions, will be available in late April or early May 2018. Click on the photo below for more details or to get a copy of the book.
In 2018 I will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada. I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America’s Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.
Lost Springs, Wyoming (Was Population 1, now Population 4)
Visited Lost Springs, WY, Pop 1 in 2007. Went back in 2014 and it had grown 400% to Pop 4. And yes, I have a photo of that sign too!Lost Springs in 2014 – ironically I was wearing the same shirt 7 years later!!!Lost Springs Store and Post Office, Lost Springs, WY
Lake Andes, South Dakota
White Pelicans at Lake Andes in South Dakota
Lambert’s Cafe – Home of Throwed Rolls – Sikeston, Missouri
Sumoflam and wife at Lambert’s Cafe – Home of Throwed RollsLambert’s Cafe – Sikeston, Missouri – big placeThrowing Rolls at Lambert’s
Lima, Montana
Downtown Lima, Montana“Not the Hotel California” in Lima, Montana
Lexington Cemetery in Spring – Lexington, Kentucky
Spring Colors at Lexington Cemetery
Letchworth State Park – Castile, New York
Letchworth State Park, New York
Lindley Sign Post Forest – Danville, Illinois
Lindley Sign Post Forest SignLindley Sign Post Forest in Danville, IL
Lake Oswego Art Walk – Lake Oswego, Oregon
Large Skelephant, part of the Lake Oswego Art Walk
Lethbridge, Alberta
High Level Bridge in Lethbridge, Alberta was built in 1909. It is 5327 feet long and the largest of its type in the worldRic’s Grill – Restaurant in a Water Tower – Lethbridge, Alberta
Lawn Order – Nebraska City, Nebraska
Great Name for a Lawn Care Business – Lawn Order
Lincoln Mural – Lexington, Kentucky
Completed Painting on November 15, 2013
Lordsburg, New Mexico
Interstate 10 near Lordsburg, New Mexico
Leland, Mississippi – Birthplace of Kermit the Frog
Birthplace of Kermit the Frog, Leland, MSSumoflam at the “Birthplace of Kermit the Frog” in Leland, MS
Lake Wobegon Trail – Avon, Minnesota
Lake Wobegon Trail
Libby’s Pumpkin Factory – Morton, Illinois
Welcome to Morton, Illinois – Pumpkin Capital of the WorldWe missed the Morton Pumpkin Festival by only a few days.
Lookout, West Virginia
Lookout, WV Post Office
Log Cabin Motel – Ashton, Idaho
Log Cabin Motel – Ashton, Idaho
Lucy in Disguise Costumes – Austin, Texas
Lucy in Disguise, Austin, TX
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, KY as seen from across the Ohio River in IndianaLouisville BridgesDetail of Noah Church mural in Louisville. Not sure who all of these folks are…
Larry Vennard Iron Sculpture Park – Centralia, Missouri
Sumoflam and Larry Vennard at his Iron Sculpture Park in Centralia, MOLarry Vennard’s Highway “T” Rex near Centralia, MO“Dimetrodon” by Larry Vennard
Lostant, Illinois
Id the ant is lost, how do they know which direction it is?
Leif Erikson Statues – Cleveland, Ohio and Duluth, Minnesota
Statue of Leif Erikson in Cleveland, IllinoisLeif Erikson Statue in Duluth, Minnesota
Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
Welcome to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
Abraham Lincoln Statue – Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Sumoflam and Lincoln in Jackson Hole
Leaning Tree Cafe – Babb, Montana
Leaning Tree Cafe, Babb, MontanaKade and Charlie, with their Dad Aaron at Leaning Tree Cafe in Babb, MT at the base of Glacier National Park – March 2013
Laboratory, Pennsylvania
Community Honor Roll for Veterans in Laboratory, PA
Large Wooden Trolls – Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin
One of dozens of HUGE trolls in Mt. Horeb, WisconsinAhhh..trolls
Welcome to Louisiana
Welcome to Louisiana on US Hwy 61
Laughing Ladies Cafe – Salida, Colorado
Laughing Ladies Cafe – Salida, Colorado – love the name and the sign
Langdon Wind Energy Center – Langdon, North Dakota
Langdon Wind Farm Info Center near Langdon, NDSilo and Wind Turbine near Nekoma, ND
Little Big Horn National Monument – Crow Agency, Montana
Grave markers of the US Calvary Soldiers that died at the Battle of Little Big Horn in Little Big Horn National Monument in Montana
Lizard Lick, North Carolina
Lizard Lick, North CarolinaLizard Lick Towing mural on sign outside of towing placeLizard Lick lizard on top of gas station
Lucille Ball Birthplace – Jamestown, New York
Lucille Ball BirthplaceJamestown Banner advertising Lucille Ball Festival
Landry and Lombardi – NFL Coaching Icons – Dallas, Texas and Green Bay, Wisconsin
Legendary Dallas Cowboy Coach Tom Landry (At Cowboys Stadium)Legendary Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardi (At Lambeau Field)
Longaberger Baskets – Newark, Ohio
Amaree, Solomon and Seth at Longaberger Basket HQ in Newark, OH Fall 1999
Lynn’s Paradise Cafe – Louisville, Kentucky
Unfortunately, this place closed down around 2010 or so.
Sumoflam at Lynn’s Paradise CafeLegs on walls at Lynn’s Paradise Cafe
Lovesick Falls – Ontario, Canada
Lovesick Falls in Ontario
Little Italy – Cleveland, Ohio
Little Italy Historic District in ClevelandMayfield Road and Random Road, by the little park in Little Italy
Lopatapillar – Butterfly House – Chesterfield, Missouri
Grandkids play on the 30 foot long “Lopatapillar”, created by artist Bob Cassilly at the Butterfly House in Chesterfield, Missouri
Logan’s Shoe Shop Neon Sign – Denton, Texas
Logan’s Shoe Shop Neon, Denton, TX
Lusk, Wyoming
US 20 East out of Lusk, WYOld Lusk Drive-In Theatre MarqueeCovered Wagon Motel in Lusk, Wyoming
Little River Cafe – Oregonia, Ohio
The Little River Cafe in Oregonia, OH is most easily reached by bike. It is literally on the side of the trail. The road to Oregonia is way out of the way.
Troy Landry – Swamp People icon – Pierre Part, Louisiana
Sumoflam and Troy Landry from Swamp People
LSA Burger Company – Denton, Texas
LSA Burger Company Neon, Denton, TXTexas Instruments, a unique sculpture at the LSA Burger Co., in DentonAlbum Counter at LSA Burger Co.
Lewistown, Montana
Golden Statue of Liberty in Lewistown, MontanaDeer grazing in the snow in Lewistown, MontanaEagle I saw when driving by Lewistown, Montana (my very first Bald Eagle sighting/photo)
Lund Theatre – Viborg, South Dakota
Lund Theatre – Viborg, South Dakota
If you like what you see, you may want to check out my book: Less Beaten Paths of America: Unique Town Names, available on Amazon. My second book, Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions, will be available in late April or early May 2018. Click on the photo below for more details or to get a copy of the book.
In 2018 I will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada. I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America’s Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.
