Maine – Less Beaten Paths of America Travel Blog

April 20, 2018April 20, 2018

A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The O Things #AtoZChallenge

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

Oak Creek Canyon – Sedona, Arizona

Sumoflam at the Oak Creek Canyon Overlook in 1982

A 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

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

The 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, ME

Catching the sunrise with grandchildren Jos and Rockwell at Old Orchard Beach

Odd, West Virginia

Odd School Road takes you into the town of Odd, WV

Orca Art – Seattle, Washington & Port Orchard, Washington

A 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

Giant Wall Mural in Little Mexico district of Omaha

Over-the-Rhine District – Cincinnati, Ohio

Historic buildings in the Over-the-Rhine district

Orin, Wyoming

Orange Moose Bar & Grill – Black River Falls, Wisconsin

Olympia, Washington

An 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

Sumoflam gnoshing on pig tails at Olde Heidelberg

Okay, Oklahoma

Our Lady of the Rockies – Butte, Montana

Our 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, KS

Stopped 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 United Methodist Church, Oddville, KY

Oil Springs, Ontario

Off the Beaten Path Ice Cream – Damascus, Virginia

Off the Beaten Path Ice Cream in Damascus, VA

Ice 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 2008

BBQ 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?

Olympic National Park – Washington

Mount Olympus and Olympic National Park as seen from Hwy 104

Onalaska, Wisconsin

Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse – Paxton, Nebraska

Big Moose at Ole’s (and one with antlers too)

Ohio Valley Steelworkers Statue – Steubenville, Ohio

Opal, Wyoming

Ore Dock Mural – Ashland, Wisconsin

The Ashland Oredock Mural in Ashland, WI

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.

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May 3, 2017May 11, 2017

Blogging A to Z Challenge – The Complete List for 2017 – #atozchallenge

During the month of April I participated with nearly 2000 other bloggers worldwide in the “Blogging from A to Z Challenge” which is now in its 7th year. This was my second year to participate and this year’s theme for my series was “Wanderlust.” As a “Travelographer,” my posts tend to be photo heavy. I travel and take loads of photos. This is my way of sharing the wonders of the back roads of America.

Corner of This Way and That Way in Lake Jackson, TX

Following are links to the complete A to Z set. Just click on the banner for each and letter and enjoy the posts and the photos. I hope all readers will Enjoy the Ride as much as I have enjoyed sharing it!

With over 6,300 locations worldwide, Choice Hotels has you covered! Book on our official site ChoiceHotels.com and save!

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May 2, 2017May 2, 2017

Z is for Zeal – #atozchallenge

I am a zealous traveler. I travel passion and with all the gusto I can. A roadtrip with me can be grueling, but it is always fun. Indeed, I travel with the intent of creating many good memories. Many call me a Road Warrior. Well, I love that term. I travel with zeal.

When on roadtrips, I like to be up with the sun and travel until the sun goes down. I stop for the night wherever I am at sundown…I can’t take many pictures at night now can I?

Sumoflam and the FREE Stamp in Cleveland

In my zealous travels, I have visited all 50 states and a few Canadian Provinces. I have at least one photo of me in almost all of them…a few exceptions where I traveled to those places years ago and the photos either were lost or were never taken (Nevada, Rhode Island, Massachusetts…at least). But in recent years, I have become the “Shamelessly Self-Proclaimed Selfie King” and have tried to record my travels digitally, and include selfies along the way.

Without further adieu, following are selfies/photos of me in every state and Canadian Province I have visited (where I have photos). I have throw some “Road Warrior” and “Traveling with Zeal” pics in along the way for fun.