As an After Halloween Treat, for a limited time you will be able to download both of my books – my newest — “Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions” and also “Less Beaten Paths of America: Unique Town Names.” TOTALLY FREE!!
This is part of the Trick-Or-Treat Book Blog Hop hosted by Author Patricia Lynne.
Both of these volumes are collections of my many travels across the United States and Canada. As you know, I have photographed well-known and not so well-known attractions along the way. In this book I share my experiences and occasional challenges, but always provide some fun and personal anecdotal stories of the quirky and offbeat places that the large and small communities offer.
My first book is all about Unique Town Names and is all in black and white. My Second book features dozens of quirky and offbeat attractions from all over the U.S. and even in Canada. ALL of the photos are in FULL COLOR.
If you like what you see, please kindly leave a review for the book/books on Amazon. A certain author will deeply appreciate it!
Both books will be available for FREE and forever download from November 1 at 3 AM EST thru November 5 at midnight.
I love having the opportunity to come upon new and unplanned discoveries in my roadtrips. While traveling, I constantly check my Roadside America app (which is available for iPhone download here) which has a handy dandy location finder and will tell you the closest of their featured attractions. While driving through South Dakota near Chamberlain, I did so and came across “Dignity: A 50 foot-tall Indian Woman” statue entry. Turns out it is located at a rest area near Chamberlain, SD overlooking the Missouri River valley way below. It was also a Lewis and Clark stopover.
Dignity: Of Earth and Sky – 50 foot tall statue by Dale LamphereDignity statue as seen from below
Dignity (a.k.a. Dignity of Earth & Sky) is a 50-foot high stainless steel statue by South Dakota artist Dale Lamphere that depicts an indigenous woman in Plains-style dress receiving a star quilt. The massive sculpture honors the culture of the Lakota and Dakota peoples who are indigenous to South Dakota. Lamphere notes on his website:
“Dignity represents the courage, perseverance and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota cultures in South Dakota. My intent is to have the sculpture stand as an enduring symbol of our shared belief that all here are sacred, and in a sacred place. My hope is that the sculpture might serve as a symbol of respect and promise for the future.”
Giant foot of DignityBlackfeet Warriors by Jay Polite Laber, in East Glacier, Montana
I am always interested in things about the various Native American tribes. Having worked as a tour guide in Arizona, I became somewhat expert on the Navajo and Hopi as well as the old Anasazi cultures. My travels across the United States and Canada have allowed me to pass through many Native American reservations and lands. In these travels I have come across many large statues dedicated to these great indigenous peoples (such as the Hiawatha statue in Ironwood, MI – which stands 52 feet tall and the Standing Brave statue in Big Cabin, OK – which is also nearly 50 feet tall). And of course, in an earlier post on my April road trip, I mentioned the “Whispering Giants” series by Peter Toth, of which I have seen more than a dozen. And there are the Blackfeet Warrior metal sculptures that are at all four entries to the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. The 44 foot tall Keeper of the Plains in Wichita, Kansas is another good one. I believe the tallest Native American statue is the 62 foot tall Indian of Skowhegan in Skowhegan, Maine, which I have not visited.
Sumoflam with Hiawatha in Ironwood, MIGiant Indian Chief “Standing Brave” in Big Cabin, OKVisiting the Whispering Giant at Starved Rock State Park in IllinoisThe Dignity quilt
Back to Dignity – Representing the rich Native American culture of South Dakota, the 50-foot Native American woman wears a dress that is patterned after a two-hide Lakota or Dakota dress of the 1850s. She also holds a quilt that has 128 stainless steel blue diamond shapes designed to flutter in the wind. Apparently, the quilt was also bedecked with LED lights that cause the diamond shapes to glow in the night sky which can be seen from Interstate 90 (which I would have loved to have seen). The quilt is very impressive as you can see in the photo on the left as well as the expanded one below.
Dignity with QuiltDignity FaceWith Dignity
Dignity is not only 50 feet tall, but her base is 16 feet deep (to help withstand the strong South Dakota winds on this bluff) and is 32 feet wide. The statue weighs in at nearly 11 tons and cost over $1 million dollars to make. The money was kindly donated by a couple from nearby Rapid City, South Dakota. The statue was officially dedicated in September 2016. It is truly a sight to see and I was so glad to have been on this highway.
Keeper of the Plains – 44 foot tall statue in Wichita
At 50 feet tall, the statue is one of the 25 tallest statues in the United States. I have been to 13 of the 25 including #2 – Statue of Liberty in NYC (151 ft tall); #4 – Our Lady of the Rockies in Butte, MT (88.6 ft. tall); Tuo Phat Quan Am in Houston, TX (72 ft. tall); Brachiosauraus in Indianapolis, IN (70 ft. tall); Giraffe at Dallas Zoo, Dallas, TX (67.6 ft tall); A Tribute to Courage – Sam Houston in Huntsville, TX (67 ft. tall); Christ of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs, AR (65.5 ft. tall); Stephen F. Austin in Angleton, TX (60 ft. tall); Hiawatha in Ironwood, MI (52 ft. tall); Standing Tall in Big Cabin, OK (50 ft. tall); Paul Bunyan and Babe in Bemidji, MN (49.2 ft. tall); Hammering Man in Seattle, WA (48 ft. tall); and The Keeper of the Plains in Wichita, KS (44 ft. tall).
The view from Dignity is impressive as it overlooks the Missouri River valley down below. This was also a Lewis and Clark observation point.
Missouri River Valley near Chamberlain, South DakotaLewis and Clark Plaque at overlook behind Dignity
Finally, I would like to note that South Dakota is proud of its tourism and especially its numerous sculptures which would include the famed Mt. Rushmore, the giant Crazy Horse statue still under construction and the giant brontosauraus at Wall Drug. They have a website especially focused on the sculptures of South Dakota called the South Dakota Sculpture Trail.
In closing, I want to note that in my upcoming book (hopefully to be released at the end of June), I will have a complete chapter on Native American statues and art.
ENJOY THE RIDE! CHOOSE HAPPY!
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, is currently being worked on and I hope to make it available in late June 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.
Peculiar, Missouri
Welcome to Peculiar, MOA Peculiar Police CarA Peculiar Elementary School
Possum Trot Supper Club – Oakwood, Illinois
Possum Trot Supper Club, Oakwood, IL
Pierre Part, Louisiana
Sumoflam in Pierre Part, LAVisiting Troy Landry of Swamp People fame in Pierre Part, LA in 2014Swamp People Truck at Duffy’s Bait Shop in Pierre Part
Pound Gap, Virginia
Pound Gap Historical Sign on the Virginia/Kentucky Border
Prairie Dogs – Browning, Montana; Cactus Flat, South Dakota
A prairie dog scampers near the Camp Disappointment Monument in MontanaPrairie Dog — standing watch in Cactus FlatPrairie Dog – Cactus Flat, SD
Pal’s Sudden Service – Bristol, Tennessee
After eating Pal’s food make sure to Exercise Daily. Couldn’t help but chucklePal’s Sudden Service in Bristol, TN
Perryville Battlefield – Perryville, Kentucky
Perryville Battlefield – Perryville, KYPerryville Battlefield ReEnactmentWelcome to Perryville
Pink Elephant in DeForest, WIMartini bearing pink and white elephant pair at Hipp Nursery in Haubstadt, INThis pink elephant is in the Huntington, WV suburb of Barboursville on US 60Big pink elephant in Russellville, KY, just around the corner from the big cow with pink sunglassesNeed a Pink Elephant T-Shirt? I know where you can get one!
And then there is the Pink Elephant Car Wash – Seattle, Washington
Pink Elephant Car Wash in Seattle, Washington
Poutine – A Canadian Favorite – Paris, Ontario
Poutine – Fries, Brown Gravy and Cheese Curds -Pure yummiferousnessChomping on poutine in Paris in 2008
Portsmouth Murals – Portsmouth, Ohio
Chillicothe Street 1940s by Robert Dafford in Portsmouth, OH
Portland Head Light – Portland, Maine
Portland Head LightVisiting the beautiful lighthouse on the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Portland, Maine in 2015
Just down the road from Hell – Pinckney, Michigan
Howell Rd. to Hell – Pinckney, MI
Planet Damon Water Tower – Damon, Texas
There is Planet Hollywood and then there is Planet Damon…
Presti’s Bakery – Little Italy – Cleveland, Ohio
Prestis Bakery….the best cannoli in the world!! And some other good Italian goodiesItalian Yumminess in the case at Presti’s
Prosperity, Pennsylvania
Prosperity Post Office in PennsylvaniaHeading to Prosperity
Pain Reliever Bar – Nekoma, North Dakota
Pain Reliever Bar, Nekoma, NDInternational Pain Reliever Bar in Nekoma, ND (notice they used a New Mexico flag??)
PRHBTN Murals (there are more than 20 – here are a couple) – Lexington, Kentucky
Sumoflam at MrDHEO’s wall painting in Lexington, one of a few new PRHBTN muralsThe enormous “I Am MO” mural in the Lexington Distillery DistrictLouis Armstrong Mural by Sergio Odeith from Portugal, for PRHBTN 2015
Papa Joe’s – Crescent Junction, Utah
Papa Joe’s in Crescent Junction, UTSumoflam at Papa Joe’s in Crescent JunctionThe Scooby Doo Mystery Machine at Papa Joe’s
P’Maws Bait Shack – Pierre Part, Louisiana
P’MAWS Bait Shack in Pierre Part, LA (Notice it is SWAMP spelled backwards)Cuddling with a White Gator at P’MAWS in Pierre Part, LAP’MAWS is open 24/7
Pat’s King of Steaks – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pat’s King of Steaks – Philadelphia, PAGrilling up the steaks at Pat’sBest of Philly – Pat’s King of Steaks
Puget Sound – Seattle, Washington
Seattle as seen from a boat in the Puget SoundOn the Ferry in Puget Sound
Perry Como Statues – Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Singing Perry Como statue in downtown Canonsburg, PAPerry Como Statue in the Canonsburg McDonald’s
Fun Stuff in Portland, Oregon
Hung Far Low – Famous Chop Suey and Famous name – Portland, OregonVoodoo Doughnut – Portland, Oregon
Pheasant Bar – Winner, South Dakota
Pheasant Bar, Winner, SD
Petrified Forest National Park – Holbrook, Arizona
Sumoflam and tourists at Petrified Forest in 1983
Pinto McBean – Bow Island, Alberta, Canada
Pinto McBean statue in Bow Island, Alberta
A few Paul Bunyan guys here and there – Bemidji, Minnesota; Nitro, West Virginia; Minocqua, Wisconsin; Wentzville, Missouri
Paul Bunyan and Babe in Bemidji, MNa Big Paul Bunyan in Minocqua, WisconsinBig Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox in Nitro, WVPaul Bunyan Muffler Man just off of the interstate in Wentzville, MO
Price Less Foods – Irvine, Kentucky
Price Less Foods in Irvine, KY
Popeye Statue – Alma, Arkansas
At the Popeye Statue in Alma, AR in 2009
Port Gibson First Presbyterian Church – Port Gibson, Mississippi
Unique Steeple of the First Presbyterian Church in Port Gibson, MS
Powder River, Wyoming
Powder River, WyomingAn old neon relic of the past, the Tumble Inn Lounge/Cafe, with a vintage neon look in Powder River, WY
Paradise Point – Scottsville, Kentucky
Paradise Point – Scottsville, KYFrom one hot dog to another…
Scenes from Paris – or four or five of them – Paris, Ontario; Paris, Kentucky; Paris, Texas; Paris, Tennessee
Paris, OntarioHomes and businesses along the river in Paris, OntarioWelcome to Paris, KentuckyParis, TexasWelcome to Paris Catfish – they too claim to be the Catfish Capital
Point Defiance Zoo – Tacoma, Washington
Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, WAA tiger at the Point Defiance ZooA Blue Budgie at the Point Defiance Zoo
Paul’s Hamburgers – Kansas City, Kansas
Paul’s Hamburgers – Kansas City, KansasGiant Ice Cream Cone at Paul’s Hamburgers – Kansas City, KS
Peaks to Craters Scenic Highway – Idaho
Peaks to Craters scenic byway through the mountains of central IdahoGrandview Canyon on US 93 – northern section of the Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway
Pelicans – Lake Andes, South Dakota; Galveston, Texas; Lexington, Kentucky
White Pelicans at Lake Andes in South DakotaPelicans in formation over the Gulf of Mexico in Galveston, TXA rare sighting of a White Pelican flying over Lexington in late April 2018
Plaza Theatres – Glasgow, Kentucky & Wharton, Texas
Plaza Theatre – Glasgow, KentuckyOld Plaza Theater in Wharton, TX
Artistic view of One PPG PlaceA view from below One PPG Place
Professor Market – Tremont District – Cleveland, Ohio
Professor Market wall advertisement…located in the Tremont District of Cleveland
Pochahontas, Illinois
Pochahontas, IL – “Pokey” – Home of Country Singer Gretchen Wilson (Gimme a Hell Ya!)
Plaquemine, Louisiana
Welcome to Plaquemine, LA
Pike Place Market – Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market – what a place!Pike Place Market was packed
Penn’s Store – Gravel Switch, Kentucky
Penn’s Store SignPenn’s Store – Gravel Switch, KY
Pella, Iowa
Welcome to PellaVermeer Dutch Windmill in Pella, IA – the largest working windmill in the United StatesBuilding fronts in Pella, IA
Penguins – Omaha, Nebraska; Tacoma, Washington
Penguins at Henry Doorly Zoo in OmahaThe small penguins stand majestically at feeding time at Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, WA
Pheasants on the Prairie – Enchanted Highway – Regent, North Dakota
Enchanted Highway Stop #5 – Pheasants on the PrairieSumoflam at Pheasants on the Prairie
Pickle’s Place – Arco, Idaho
EAT sign at Pickle’s Place in Arco, IDPickle’s Place – Home of the “Atomic Burger”
Pete the Curler – Bemidji, Minnesota
Pete the Curler by Dale Lewis – one of 25 pieces in the 2014 Bemidji Sculpture Walk
Pork Chop Sandwiches (as seen on Andy Griffith) – Mt. Airy, North Carolina
Snappy Lunch – home of the Pork Chop SandwichCooking up the pork chops at Snappy Lunch
Old Prairie School House – Frisno, Montana
Old Prairie School House on Smith-Frisno Road west of Havre, MT. I wanted this one in black and white…
Giant Prairie Dog Statue – Cactus Flat, South Dakota
Giant Prairie DogSumoflam with the Giant Prairie Dog – Cactus Flat
Pelo’s Sundries – LeClaire, Iowa
Old neon for Pelo’s Sundries
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.