Wall Art – Less Beaten Paths of America Travel Blog

April 17, 2019April 16, 2019

Everywhere a Sign – Some O Signs From 2018 #AtoZChallenge

(Editor’s Note: For my 2019 posts, I will be posting photos from my travels in 2018. I visited 26 states and drive over 13,000 miles in 2018. These posts will feature of few of the road signs and business signs I came across, as well as some stories behind them. )

Obviously, there are many outstanding places to visit in this outrageously wonderful country. Whether you are an occasional traveler or you take every opportunity to wander, there is always something to see. Here are some of the odd O signs I discovered in my 2018 travels. Enjoy the Read. Enjoy the Ride.

Old Potter, Arkansas

A few miles south of Mena, Arkansas, on US Routes 59/71, is a small unincorporated community called Old Potter. It is also referred to as Potter Junction. One can take AR Hwy 375 west from there a couple of miles, to Potter, Arkansas. I have no idea how the name Potter cam about. But I like the name Old Potter. Kind of fun.

Okie Noodling Tournament Sign, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

I first learned about the sport of Noodling on a documentary television program by Bradley Beesley titled Okie Noodling, which came out in 2001. If you are not sure what noodling is, well here is the scoop…(or the grab is probably better) — it is the practice of wading in murky water and sticking your hand into dark holes hoping a 30-pound plus catfish will latch onto your hand and arm. Missing fingers and toes on some noodlers attest to the danger and excitement of the sport. The film emphasizes how noodling is believed to have originated with white settlers, with at least one reference known to have dated from 1775.

From that documentary, a tournament was developed at Bob’s Pig Shop in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. This year (2019), on June 14/15, the Okie Noodling Tournament will celebrate its 20th anniversary. There is an “O’FISH’Al” Okie Noodling website with all of the details, if you are interested. I will be returning from Texas on that weekend and may just drop by for a looksee and maybe a visit to Bob’s Pig Shop on June 15!

Check out the trailer for the movie here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8E83pzt_MU

By the way, the rock band, The Flaming Lips, did the original music for the 2001 documentary.

Octagon Hall, Franklin, Kentucky

Driving south on US 31W near Franklin, Kentucky, I came across a sign to Octagon Hall Museum. This is one of the joys of traveling back roads. I have come across so many unique places that were unplanned on my trips. Though we were early and couldn’t visit this Antebellum eight-sided Civil War home built by Andrew Jackson Caldwell, it was still a unique place to see, especially from the outside. Octagon Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was used during the Civil War by both Confederate and Federal troops and served as a Civil War hospital.

Orlinda, Tennessee

I always like town signs, but this may be in my favorites list. I love the “Sunniest Spot in Tennessee” catch phrase. The town of Orlinda is located off of US Hwy 31W, just south of the Kentucky border (and not too far from Octagon Hall). There are about 1000 sunshiny folks living in this community.

Okemah, Oklahoma

Okemah Hot, Cold and Woody Guthrie Water Towers

Okemah, Oklahoma was named after a Kickapoo Indian Chief and is the home to the Creek Nation and specifically the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, a group that speaks the Mvskoke language (thus Muscogee). Even though there is a great Native American Heritage here, it is also the birthplace of the famous Folk Singer Woody Guthrie who wrote such well-known songs as This Land is Your Land, Mule Skinner Blues, and hundreds of other songs. Okemah is just off of Interstate 40 and US Highway 62 passes through the town.

Olive Hill, Kentucky

Last on my O list is one closer to home. Olive Hill, Kentucky is in eastern Kentucky on US Highway 60. It is an old railroad town established in 1861. I especially like the town because of its layout and the many murals that can be found along a wall in town. The main street of town is Railroad Street. Just a cool little town.

Like what you see? Well, there is lots more! I currently have two books about offbeat and quirky places to take on your road trips. You can see both of my books at http://amzn.to/2ks6fQZ. Working on Book 3, coming in late Spring 2019!!

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April 12, 2019April 11, 2019

Everywhere a Sign – Some K Signs From 2018 #AtoZChallenge

From Kentucky to Kansas and all places around them east and west, there are killer signs that kan be found. And here are some of the K signs I found in 2018. Enjoy the Read. Enjoy the Ride.

Kingston, Washington

Kingston, Washington is home to one of the large Puget Sound Ferry ports and I loved the colorful Welcome Sign. From the ferry you can drive inland on Washington Hwy 104 into the northern section of the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula area of Washington.

Kountry Korners Krazy Kreatures, Kingston, Washington

Kountry Korners Krazy Kreatures in Kingston, Washington

And while driving down WA 104, watch closely for some unique chainsaw-carved wooden Kreatures, better known as the Kountry Korners Krazy Kreatures. These unique carvings by local artist Terry Tessmer were moved to a new location in town in 2018 after the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe bought the Kountry Korners gas station where these carvings sat for about 30 years. The Krazy Kreatures can now be found in front of the Kingston Mercantile and Marine store which is up the road on WA 104

Kickapoo Joy Juice Sign, Trimble, Arkansas

Kickapoo Joy Juice sign in Trimble, Arkansas

OK. I admit it. I have never tried Kickapoo Joy Juice or any of the other three Kickapoo Soda Flavors (including Fruit Shine – Sangria Flavor, Fuzzy Navel – Peach Flavor and Malibu – Piña Colada Flavor.) According to the Kickapoo Website, the original Joy Juice drink was inspired by the Li’l Abner comic strip wherein Al Capp, the comic creator, referred to it as a “volatile brew.” In the comic it was brewed by Hairless Joe and Lonesome Polecat, a couple of backwoods poachers. The actual soda was introduced to the U.S. in 1965. Based on the description as a citrus flavored drink, I am assuming it is similar to Mountain Dew, which back in the day used a hillbilly on its packaging. The drink is touted to be “Weirdly Refreshing. Refreshingly Weird.” I suppose I ought to give it a try. Looks like you can get it at Cracker Barrels around the country, as well as other locations.

Kit Carson, Colorado

Kit Carson Restaurant and Trading Post, Kit Carson, CO

Sumoflam at the Kit Carson Trading Post. After a 100 mile straight drive down Colorado 94 it was a much needed stop!

Another town named (with the full name) of a famed historical figure, Kit Carson, Colorado was established in the eastern plains of Colorado in 1838 as a trade and supply outpost. By 1872 it was a booming commercial center. The town still survives off of ranching, railroad, oil wells and tourists traveling on US Highways 287 and 40.

On a long windy and dusty stretch from Colorado Springs (about a 100 mile long straight road – has slight turn), taking Colorado Highway 94 through Ellicott, Yoder, Rush and Punkin Center, I eventually made my way into Kit Carson. I stopped at the Kit Carson Trading Post and Restaurant for restroom break and a hot meal. Good family restaurant with plenty of tasty food.

KY Head Hunters, Greensburg, Kentucky

Actually, the place is called Adolphus Ennis Lunch Room and is really famous for their Original Slawburger. The country rock band, the Kentucky Headhunters kind of referred to it in their song Dumas Walker. The Headhunters were from Wisdom, Kentucky and would frequent A. Ennis to get a “slawburger, fries and a bottle of Ski (a local soft drink). Like Kickapoo Joy Juice, Ski is a citrus flavored soft drink manufactured by the Excel Bottling Company of Breese, Illinois. As for the restaurant, I have not been inside, but it is apparently still like an old diner. Next trip down south requires a visit so I too can have a slawburger, fries and a Ski.

Like what you see here? Well, there is lots more! I currently have two books about offbeat and quirky places to take on your road trips. You can see both of my books at http://amzn.to/2ks6fQZ. Working on Book 3, coming in late Spring 2019!!

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April 10, 2019April 9, 2019

Everywhere a Sign – Some I Signs From 2018 #AtoZChallenge

I am always Interested in the Incredible variety of unique places in this expansive country of ours. Through my over 13,000 miles of travel in 2018 I saw thousands of signs for roads, places, shops, etc. There aren’t too many that begin with the letter I but I did find some…because I had this challenge in mind as I traveled. So, here are the three or four I signs I found in 2018. Enjoy the Read. Enjoy the Ride.

I.X.L., Oklahoma

I have seen hundreds and hundreds of town signs over the years, but this was the first time I have found a location name that is an abbreviation. Granted, there are towns with their nicknames, such as Chi-town for Chicago or Philly for Philadelphia. But, what does I.X.L. mean? Maybe it refers to my travel writing? (Do I X L?)

I.X.L. is a small place with a population of about 51 (in 2010). The town was incorporated in 2001 and is an historical freedman’s town. According to the town’s website explains that the actual name comes from the fact that the town site is on a strip of Cherokee land famous for the Oklahoma Land Run. The name stands for Indian Exchange Land. The town’s population is 100% African-American (thus a “freedman’s town”), with Joan Partridge as the current mayor.

Iowa River Greenbelt, Iowa Falls, Iowa

As I travel across the country, I typically make plans to find the wonderful Whispering Giants by Peter Toth (see my post about these). One of the nearly seventy of these is located in Iowa Falls, Iowa on the Iowa River Greenbelt. The Greenbelt runs along the Iowa River in Hardin County, Iowa from Alden, Iowa to Eldora, Iowa. Unfortunately, I was there in the midst of a snowstorm, so all I got to see was the sign and the Iowa Falls Whispering Giant.

Imagine Art Gallery, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas

The Imagine Art Gallery on US 67 and Abbey Road

In 1964 the Beatles made their first visit to the U.S. On this trip they passed through the small town of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas (see my post about this). At the time, Imagine Art Gallery owner Carrie Snapp, was head of The Beatles local fan club when the Beatles made their surprise stop-over at the Walnut Ridge airport, between their Dallas and New York concerts. Nowadays Carrie runs a shop with a load of art, including lots of Beatle’s memorabilia. She even has copies of some of the original color photos from the Beatles 1964 stop-over.

Located at the intersection of Abbey Road and Main Street, it is part of a complex of shops and businesses that celebrate the Beatles’ visit some 55 years after the event. If you like the Beatles, this is a must-stop place.

That’s it for the I signs. Imagine the indulgence had I included more….