Missing the Open Highways: A Look Back at Some Back Roads of America

Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, California, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Enchanted Highway, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Rocky Mountains, Route 66, South Dakota, Texas, Unique Places, US Highway 101, US Highway 2, US Highway 20, US Highway 212, US Highway 287, US Highway 61, US Highway 79, US Highway 89, US Highways, Wisconsin, Wyoming
[caption id="attachment_8431" align="alignleft" width="167"] The start of US Route 2 heading west out of Ironwood, MI[/caption] It is nearing the end of June 2015.  About a year ago at this time I was rolling down US Highway 61, better known as the Blues Highway, in Mississippi.  I was on my way to Galveston for a family reunion and then would make my way back home to Kentucky via Houston, Austin, Fort Worth and then thru Oklahoma, Missouri and Illinois.  I love the freedom of the road and sitting home in Lexington, KY is not what I wish I were doing.  Following is a pictorial of what I am missing and longing for on this hot, humid Kentucky day. These are photos of the highways...the well beaten, but sometimes less beaten…
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2014: The Highlights and Top 10 Sites Visited

Alligators, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Graffiti Walls, Illinois, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Murals, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, North Dakota, Roadside Attractions, States and Provinces, Street Art, Texas, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 2, US Highway 212, US Highway 61, Wall Art, Wyoming, Yard Art
The year 2014 brought me some wonderful opportunities to travel and even fulfill some travel dreams. In the past year I traveled nearly 10,000 miles on road trips and traversed through 19 states (including my home state of Kentucky).  With all of this travel I was able to hit a few "bucket list" stops and also drive a good part of some "bucket list" highways as well. Overall, the year was splendid. The Big Highlights 9,700 Miles Driven Traveled through 19 states Drove about 1,200 miles of US Route 2, one of my Bucket List Highways.  Drove from Ironwood, MI to Browning, MT Drove the Blues Highway in Mississippi Drove the Beartooth Highway in Wyoming (which Charles Kuralt noted as "the most beautiful drive in America" and I concur My…
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Highway 61 Visited – Day 2: Vicksburg, MS to Galveston, TX

Alligators, Antsy McClain, Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, City Skylines, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Family Travel, Ghost Signs, Louisiana, Mississippi, Murals, National Parks, People Shots, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 61, Wall Art, Water Towers, Wildflowers, Yard Art
[caption id="attachment_10738" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Sumoflam at US 61 south just south of Tunica, MS[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10820" align="aligncenter" width="657"] Map of travels from Vicksburg, MS down US 61 to Natchez, MS and then thru Louisiana and on to Galveston, TX via the Bolivar Peninsula.[/caption] Highway 61 in Mississippi may be called the Blues Highway, but there is much more to it than the Blues.  After my first long drive from Kentucky to Vicksburg, I woke up early the next day to visit the Vicksburg National Military Park before heading south on Highway 61. [caption id="attachment_10651" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Cannon line the grounds of Vicksburg National Military park in many places[/caption] The park preserves the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg, waged from May 18 to July 4, 1863 and…
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Highway 61 Visited: The Blues Highway of Mississippi – Day 1

Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Family Travel, Farmland, Ghost Signs, Giant Things, Graffiti Walls, Landscapes, Large Statues, Mississippi, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, States and Provinces, Tennessee, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 61, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Water Towers, Wildflowers, Yard Art
Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn have all sang about it. And now, Sumoflam has driven it. US Highway 61 cuts down the middle of Mississippi, all the way from Memphis to Natchez and more. [caption id="attachment_10789" align="aligncenter" width="556"] Map of the Blues Highway (US 61) through Mississippi[/caption] Highway 61 is better known as "The Blues Highway" as many of the famed Blues musicians grew up along this swath of the state just east of the Mississippi River. [caption id="attachment_10777" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Sumoflam at the Blues Highway in Mississippi[/caption] In July 2014 I had the opportunity to travel this famed highway from North to South, visit many of the small towns and learn more about Blues History. It was an amazing drive through rural Mississippi! [caption id="attachment_10592" align="aligncenter"…
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Life Gets Busy – Blog Suffers

Arkansas, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Family Travel, Farmland, Large Statues, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Murals, Place Names, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 61, Vintage Neon, Wall Art
To all of you who faithfully follow my Travel Blog, I don't want you to think I have quit writing. I am in the midst of an extremely busy work season (I work in high school sports web management and social media and it's football season!) I still have plenty to write: US 61 through Mississippi, a drive through the swamplands of Louisiana, a visit to Galveston, some back roads in Texas and more. Indeed, life has sent me this way and that way. So, watch soon for more fun and quirky offbeat back roads travel.
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