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.
The Nutt House Hotel – Granbury, Texas
Who would stay in the Nutt House Hotel?
Nice, California
We all know who is really Nice! Nice, CA
New River Gorge – Victor, West Virginia
A view of the New River Gorge in West Virginia taken in 1995New River Gorge Bridge – One of the largest Arch bridges in the United States
Neah Bay, Washington
At Neah Bay in the northwesternmost corner of the contiguous United States in 2015Looking out at Wa’atch Point, which is a cape off the northwestern peninsula near Neah Bay
Nashville, Indiana
One of the many kitschy shops in Nashville, Indiana. Really a fun place to visit
Not the Hotel California – Lima, Montana
“Not the Hotel California” in Lima, MontanaNo Steaks and Burgers at this place in Lima, Montana
Tuckhannock Viaduct – Nicholson, PennsylvaniaThe viaduct is dizzying when looking up from below
Nekoma Pyramid – Nekoma, North Dakota
The Pyramid in Nekoma, NDSumoflam and MSR Pyramid in Nekoma, ND
Nada Tunnel – Slade, Kentucky
The rough hewn stone Nada tunnel near Slade, Kentucky
Niagara Falls – Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls, OntarioNiagara Falls
Novelty, Ohio
I found Novelty in OhioNovelty Post Office
Normal, Illinois
Am I Normal? Who knows?A Normal Water Tower
Nikko Shrine – Nikko, Japan
Perhaps the best “old shrine” in Japan, Nikko has been around for centuries. This is north of Tokyo. I visited Nikko in 1990.The colorful pagoda in Nikko
National Mustard Museum – Middleton, Wisconsin
National Mustard Museum Sign, Middleton, WIPoupon U Degree from the Mustard Museum – I got my MBA (Master of Bad Attitude)
North Bend Rail Trail – Cairo, West Virginia
My wife Julianne and her sister Laura at the North Bend Rail Trail HQ in Cairo, WV
Naches Tavern – Greenwater, Washington
Naches Tavern in Greenwater, WA (featuring Bigfoot!)Dollar Bills on the walls at Naches Tavern
Newport, Oregon
Giant Mural on outside of Mo’s in Newport, OregonMo’s Seafood – Newport, Oregon
Salem Sue – New Salem, North Dakota
Salem Sue Sign in New Salem, NDSalem Sue in New Salem, ND – the World’s Largest Holstein Cow (Yes, that’s Sumoflam under the Udders)
Northside Murals – Cincinnati, Ohio
Large Mural on side of building representing the Northside districtTall mural on side of a building in Cincinnati’s Northside
Nagasaki, Japan
Remains from A-Bomb in Nagasaki in 1988Japans second most famous China Town (Tokyo’s is first). This one is located in Nagasaki
JJ’s Cafe – Newell, South Dakota
J J’s Cafe in Newell, SDSign at the door of TJ’s Cafe in Newell, SD. Bear in mind this is sheep country.
Nitro, West Virginia
Nitro WW I museum – Nitro, WVBig Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox in Nitro, WV
Nolan Ryan Statue – Alvin, Texas
Sumoflam with Nolan Ryan in Alvin, TXWelcome to Alvin, Texas, hometown of Nolan Ryan
New Orleans, Louisiana
Bourbon Street in New Orleans in 2011
Nebraska City, Nebraska
Sapp’s Coffee Pot Water Tower in Nebraska CityArbor Day Farm Tree Adventure – Nebraska City, NebraskaDowntown Nebraska City
Nauvoo, Illinois
The completed LDS Nauvoo Temple in 2002
The Jay Vintage Neon – Needville, Texas
The Jay Cafe in Needville, Texas. Vintage neon sign
Mark Twain Statue – New London, Missouri
Mark Twain Statue in New London, Missouri
Willie Nelson Shrine – LSA Burgers – Denton, Texas
Willie Nelson Shrine at LSA Burger Co. in Denton, TXWillie Nelson Portrait above his shrine
Nanobozho Muffler Man – Bemidji, Minnesota
Nanobozho, Muffler Man Indian in Bemidji, MN
Number Hill – Arco, Idaho
Number Hill – Arco, ID
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.
Mystic Pizza – Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic Pizza in Mystic, CT with my sweet wife
Moon Township, PA
Township of Moon, PA
Muscovy Duck – Damascus, Virginia
A unique Muscovy duck in the river in Damascus
Mammy’s Cupboard – Natchez, Mississippi
Mammy’s Cupboard in Natchez, MSMammy’s Cupboard Dining Room – Much bigger than it looks on the outside
Mail Pouch Barns – Brinkhaven, Ohio; Friendly, West Virginia; Hargett, Kentucky
Mail Pouch Barn in Brinkhaven, OHMail Pouch Barn in Friendly, WVA rare Mail Pouch barn sighting in Hargett, KY
Billy Tripp’s Mindfield – Brownsville, Tennessee
Sumoflam at Tripp’s Mindfield Cemetery in Brownsville, TNA portion of the Mindfield Cemetery in Brownsville, TNMindfield Cemetery, Brownsville, Tennessee
Mr. Roger’s T-Rex Statue – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mr. Rogers T-Rex
Mountain Bluebird – The Badlands National Park, South Dakota
A Mountain Bluebird perched on a fencepost in the Badlands
Mac the Moose – Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Mac the Moose in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Monument Valley – Utah
Monument Valley, UtahEnjoying the splendor of Monument Valley in southern Utah and Northern Arizona around 1983
Monongahela Incline – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Welcome to the Monongahela InclineMonongahela Incline going upMonongahela Incline in Pittsburgh
Maid of the Mist – Niagara Falls, Ontario
The Maid of the Mist at the bottom of Niagara Falls filled with tourists
Melt Eclectic Cafe – Cincinnati, Ohio
Melt in CincinnatiMelt Cafe
Metal Green Bay Packer – Pagac’s Bar – Ashland, Wisconsin
Robotic scrap metal quarterback. The guy in the bar said you can plug it in and it actually moves!
Mayan Ruins – Tulum, Mexico
Enjoying a visit to the Tulum Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico
Midlothian Castle – Burk’s Falls, Ontario
Midlothian CastleHeadstone on one of the Gates to Midlothian Castle
Home of Mayberry – Mount Airy, North Carolina
Snappy Lunch – Mt. Airy, NCMayberry on MainMayberry Cheese
Mount Rainier National Park – Greenwater, Washington
Entering Mt. Rainier National Park on WA 410 south of Greenwater, WAMt. Rainier in Washington – visited in 2015A ferry passes by us in the sound with Mt. Rainier in the background
Migrating Snow Geese – Arkansas
Snow Geese everywhereRan into a HUGE flock of migrating snow geese in central Arkansas
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Giant Teepee in Medicine Hat, Alberta
Mickey Mantle Statue – Commerce, Oklahoma
Mickey Mantle Statue in Commerce, Oklahoma
Memorial Falls near Great Falls, Montana
Memorial Falls near Great Falls, MT
Meerkats at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska
The Meerkats are my favorite animal at the zoo. This one posed for me!Lounging Meerkats at Henry Doorly Zoo
Metropolis, Illinois
Welcome to Metropolis, home of SupermanGiant Grocer Statue in Metropolis, IL
Dinosaur Tracks – Moenave, Arizona
Moenave Dinosaur Tracks near Tuba City, AZThe kids at the Dinosaur tracks in Moenave, AZ near Tuba City (July 1993)
Mama Santa Pizzeria – Little Eatery – Cleveland, Ohio
Sumoflam with Mama Santa’s owner Papa TioSumoflam with Nancy Starvaggi Schaffer, showing off the AMAZING homemade sausage and pasta from Mama Santa Restaurant in Cleveland, OH
Montour Trail – Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Montour Trail – Canonsburg, PA
Miner’s Memorial Mural – Ironwood, Michigan
The men in Miner’s Memorial Mural represent the thousands of men who worked in the Gogebic Range Mines of Michigan and Wisconsin.A section of the Miner’s Memorial Mural in Ironwood, which was completed in 2012
Mt. Fuji – near Fujinomiya, Japan
Enjoying wintertime at a resort at the base of Mt. Fuji, near Fujinomiya, Japan in 1987Mt. Fuji, Japan as seen from my airplane seat in 1990 as I flew to Tokyo from Oita.
Multnomah Falls – Multnomah County, Oregon
At Multnomah Falls in Oregon
Mud Street Cafe – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The unique and quaint Mud Street Cafe in Eureka Springs, ARCozy Mud Street Cafe
Memphis Egg – Memphis, Tennessee
With the famous Memphis Egg in 2007
Mothman Museum – Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Glowing Red Eyes of the MothmanMothman Museum in Point Pleasant, WV
Mel’s Diner – San Francisco, California
Sumoflam at Mel’s Drive-in in San Francisco
Mapleton Taxidermy and Cheese Shop – Mapleton, Ontario
Taxidermy and Cheese StoreTaxidermy and Cheese
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.