23Sep 2012 by David Kravetz

Screaming Heads and Midlothian Castle – Ontario

Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Family Travel, Farmland, Giant Things, Large Statues, Mythical Creatures, Ontario, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Yard Art
Just about 4 years ago I took a drive through Algonquin National Park in Ontario.  On the trip we also headed west into Burk's Falls to visit the famed "Screaming Heads" and Midlothian Castle.  This was a fascinating trip. This entire project was begun by school teacher and artist Peter Camani.  He is a Secondary School teacher, but has also spent over 25 years constructing Monolith-like sculptures in the shape of giant heads, which are scattered throughout the property. A two-headed dragon sits atop the chimney of his Midlothian Castle and he has a version of the See/Say/Hear No Evils greet visitors. There are more than a hundred “screaming head” sculptures, each one at least 20 feet in height. According to Wikipedia, Camani says he "built his otherworldly creations as…
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23Sep 2012 by David Kravetz

Turnabout in Fair Play, SC

Backroads Discoveries
On August 8, 2012 I was on a trip from eastern Tennessee to Atlanta for work.  Along the way I went through North and South Carolina and happened to go through Fair Play, South Carolina.  Not sure how the town got its name, but there is something about the name coming from a fight. Interestingly, throughout most of this small town, the Motto "Our Name Says It All" is posted.  The photo on the left is the main entry sign. Of course, there is plenty more in Fair Play   There is the Fair Play Post Office The Fairplay Cafe.  Wonder if their prices are fair??? There is a Fair Play Presbyterian Church The Fairplay Super Market doesn't look that super... Must be Amish nearby if there is a Yoder's…
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21Jun 2012 by David Kravetz

Lost Springs, Wyoming: Population 1

Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Landscapes, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 20, Wyoming
Lost Springs, WY Population 1[/caption] In September 2007 Solomon and I made our way to Lost Springs, Wyoming. We made our way south on I-25 until we got to Exit 126, where we would then head east on US 18/20.  Along the way we came to the sprawling metropolis of Lost Springs, WY.  According to a Wikipedia article, Lost Springs is one of only five towns in the United States that are officially registered in the census to have only one (1) person. The others are Hibbert's Gore, ME, Erving's Location, NH, New Amsterdam, IN and Monowi, NE.  Apparently, in 2009 the population had increased to 4. [caption id="attachment_291" align="aligncenter" width="438"] Welcome to Lost Springs[/caption] The photo above shows the sign one sees as they enter town.  What is not…
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05Jun 2012 by David Kravetz

Now for Something Completely Different: Taxidermy and Cheese Store

Backroads Discoveries, Canada, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Ontario, Roadside Attractions, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places
Mapleton Taxidermy and Cheese Store[/caption] I was stunned to see the above sign, so much so that I had to stop and take a look see. While there, I entered the store and tried my best to get a shot of the nexus of taxidermy and cheese, as shown below: [caption id="attachment_282" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Taxidermy and Cheese[/caption] Upon exiting I ran into Dave...he is the husband and runs the taxidermy side.  His wife runs the cheese store.  Dave was out tanning some bear hides.  He told me some interesting stories. [caption id="attachment_281" align="aligncenter" width="327"] David Snook, the Taxidermist[/caption] If you are ever in southern Ontario and making your way to Sparta (which is really a cool and unique little town in and of itself -- see my Trip Journal), make…
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06May 2012 by David Kravetz

A Super Place called Metropolis

Backroads Discoveries, Big John, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Family Travel, Giant Things, Illinois, Large Statues, Muffler Man, Murals, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, States and Provinces, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery
Metropolis Welcome Sign[/caption] This blog entry not only includes a unique name of a town, but is now introducing the second theme of this blog...the big statues and unusual sites along the road. [caption id="attachment_265" align="alignleft" width="96"] Metropolis Signs[/caption] Metropolis is the home of the Giant Superman Statue - a 200 foot tall statue of the Man of Steel. Funny thing is, as I drove into this town, the first big statue I saw was in front of a grocery store and was NOT the Giant Superman Statue!! The town is really all about Superman.         [caption id="attachment_266" align="aligncenter" width="199"] The Giant non-Superman Statue - Big John the Grocery Clerk[/caption] [caption id="attachment_268" align="aligncenter" width="199"] Giant Superman with not so giant Sumoflam[/caption] [caption id="attachment_267" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Flying Superman…
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25Apr 2012 by David Kravetz

Boo!! Let's take a Scary adventure

Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Bucket List Trips, Wildflowers
[/caption] Another of the many places of interest in West Virginia is the Scary Creek area. The map on Google does list a Scary, but there are no official signs with the Scary name on them.  But, as you can see below, there are many of other Scary references. The Scary Creek community is located near Nitro, WV (actually, just across the Kanawha River). During the US Civil War, the area that would become Scary, West Virginia was the site of the first Confederate victory in Kanawha Valley, on July 17, 1861. There are a few homes, a couple of churches and some other small businesses, most prominently, a large Paint Ball place.     [caption id="attachment_255" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A mailbox on Scary Rd., near Scary, WV"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_253" align="aligncenter"…
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20Apr 2012 by David Kravetz
Ho Ho Ho…Welcome to Santa Claus!

Ho Ho Ho…Welcome to Santa Claus!

Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Giant Things, Indiana, Large Statues, Roadside Attractions, Unique Eatery, Unique Places
Santa Claus Post Office[/caption] OK, you want Christmas year round?  You like looking at jolly old elves in red clothing daily?  Then Santa Claus, Indiana is for you. [caption id="attachment_240" align="alignleft" width="300"] Santa Claus Town Hall[/caption] According to Wikipedia, Santa Claus was established in 1854. In 1856, when the town (then known as Santa Fe, mispronounced "fee") was working to establish a Post Office, the US Postal Service refused their first application as there was already another Santa Fe in the state. Several town meetings were held, during which the name Santa Claus was selected. [caption id="attachment_241" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Santa Claus, Indiana[/caption] The town apparently has the world's only post office to bear the nameof Santa Claus. Because of this popular name, the post office receives thousands of letters to…
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16Apr 2012 by David Kravetz
Bugtussle? What is it? Where is it?

Bugtussle? What is it? Where is it?

Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Roadside Attractions, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places
[/caption] So, have you ever heard of Bugtussle?  I did, I remember the episodes from the Beverly Hillbillies where the "Mayor of Bugtussle" paid a visit to its richest former citizen Jed Clampett.  This fictitious Bugtussle was in Tennessee.  Well, on a trip in February 2010 I became possibly the only person to ever drive from one Bugtussle to another one, all in one day (see entire trip journal). [caption id="attachment_234" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Bugtussle Rd, Kentucky"][/caption] In my research on the Bugtussles of America, I found three actual places called Bugtussle...one in Kentucky, on in Alabama and on in Texas.  So, I chose the two between Lexington, KY and Keller, TX. [caption id="attachment_232" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Bugtussle Blvd., Texas"][/caption] I left very early in the morning and got to Bugtussle, KY…
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