A Few Days in Shelby, Montana and surrounding area

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, City Skylines, North Dakota, South Dakota
Shelby, Montana[/caption] March 28, 2013:  On our way back to Kentucky from Rexburg, Idaho we made a three day detour to Shelby, Montana to visit our daughter and her husband and their 4 children. Thanks to our new best trailer tires we were able to go on rough roads quite smoothly, and I have to say till date they have been my best investment on the RV. During our three days here, we were very busy with a trip to the base of Glacier National Park, a drive around town capturing the "Neon Essence" of Shelby, and a trip north to Sweetgrass, just south of the Canadian border, where we also visited a Hutterite colony and learned of their amazing communal ways.  This post will cover these activities through photos…
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Sumoflam is Everywhere – A Photo Gallery

Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, City Skylines, Colorado, Horses, Missouri, North Dakota, Place Names, Route 66, South Carolina, South Dakota, Squirrels, States and Provinces, Trinity Music Productions, Wildflowers, Yard Art
Sumoflam and Thunderbirds in Bismarck, ND[/caption] Over the years I have taken nearly 30,000 photos of my travels and in most cases I have not been in the photos.  Over the coming months I will add new galleries that are thematic. this is the first one.  Enjoy!! [nggallery id=2] ]]>
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Traveling the Enchanted Highway in North Dakota

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, City Skylines, North Dakota, South Dakota
If you are at all interested in the whimsical, unique and humongous roadside attractions of this great country, then a drive down the amazing Enchanted Highway in North Dakota is a MUST!! On April 2, 2013, I finally had the opportunity to drive one of the "Bucket List" trips for me in all of my travels across the country.  The 32 mile drive features a number of pieces of the amazing artwork of retired Regent, ND school teacher Gary Greff who has taken on this effort in order to keep the small dying town from becoming a ghost town.  I hope to have a pretty comprehensive overview of the entire route, including the map below and detailed directions, mileage, photos and even some details about each stop along the way.…
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Road Trip to Idaho – Day 1: Lexington, KY to Savage, MN

Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, City Skylines, Missouri, South Dakota, States and Provinces
Sunset in Northern Iowa[/caption] A couple of days ago I was informed I have an opportunity for some work in Idaho, and possibly full time employment.  They want me to come out for two weeks and suggested I drive out instead of fly, especially since they know I love to do that.  So, today (March 8) I drove 848 miles over a 15 1/2 hour stretch, finally arriving in Savage, MN for the night.  Following is the map of the trip: Lexington, KY to Savage MN I left Lexington at about 6 AM and just drove straight through Indianapolis and eventually made my way to Advance, IN.  This is a small town located in Boone County.  I went there because of the name. [caption id="attachment_1780" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Advance, Indiana[/caption] Advance…
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A Visit to Mayberry RFD – Mt. Airy, NC

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, South Dakota
Mayberry Cheese[/caption] Growing up as a child I was a frequent watcher of the Andy Griffith Show.  The show was set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina though apparently all of the filming of the show actually took place in California at DesiLu studios. [caption id="attachment_591" align="aligncenter" width="259"] Andy Griffith Museum, Mt. Airy, NC - Statue of Andy and Opie (played by Ron Howard)[/caption] Andy Griffith actually grew up in Mt. Airy, NC and the ficitional town of Mayberry was loosely based on that town.  So, on a trip to North Carolina back in March 2012 , I made my way to Mt. Airy on the way back to Kentucky.  It was nostalgic and fun.  Here are a few shots from "Mayberry R.F.D." [caption id="attachment_590" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Mt.…
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If not a glass house, how about a house made out of beer cans?

If not a glass house, how about a house made out of beer cans?

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, South Dakota
Beer Can House[/caption] Now this is a unique place to visit in downtown Houston.  A creation of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. This house was started in 1968 by a guy named John Milkovisch (see history of the house).  According to Ripley's Believe It or Not, over 50,000 beer cans have been used on this house. [caption id="attachment_571" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House Front[/caption] He notes on the sign to "Live by the Golden Rule", but I think he is actually living the "Aluminum Rule"!! [caption id="attachment_570" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House entry[/caption] [caption id="attachment_566" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House Wall[/caption] [caption id="attachment_579" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House Siding[/caption] [caption id="attachment_574" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House Garland[/caption] [caption id="attachment_577" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House Wall[/caption] [caption id="attachment_573" align="aligncenter"…
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Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill – How about some off-beat stuff

Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill – How about some off-beat stuff

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, South Carolina, South Dakota
Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill[/caption] [caption id="attachment_548" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Cliff Brice Warning Sign[/caption] Just outside of Woodstock, Ontario is an interesting place called Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill.  Cliff Bruce is one of those collectors of odd and random stuff.  (another of these is Hamtramck Disneyland in Detroit). He has some whirligigs, windmills, stop lights, random fiberglass animals and even Fred Flintstone on the porch. These are then displayed throughout his yard.  Here are a couple more photos. [caption id="attachment_543" align="aligncenter" width="239"] Windmill Hill - Big Cat[/caption] [caption id="attachment_542" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Windmill Hill - Big Dog[/caption] [caption id="attachment_547" align="aligncenter" width="165"] Tire Snowman[/caption] [caption id="attachment_545" align="aligncenter" width="260"] Whirlygigs[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_546" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Horse Whirlygigs[/caption] Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill, Woodstock, Ontario]]>
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Lynn's Paradise Cafe – A Feast for Eyes and Tummy!!

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Route 66, South Dakota
Lynn's Paradise Cafe[/caption] Welcome to Lynn's Paradise Cafe in Louisville, Kentucky.  This is probably the most unique place you will ever eat at.  Funky lamps everywhere, colorful everything...a real fun place!!  Oh, and did I mention the food?? [caption id="attachment_510" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Squeeze the Day[/caption] Start off the day right with a good breakfast at Lynn's.  They do not skimp on the servings and the eating is YUMMIFEROUS!! Much of my family met there in late December 2012 for a big breakfast.  Here are some of the goodies we had. [caption id="attachment_508" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Breakfast![/caption] [caption id="attachment_504" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Crunchcakes[/caption] [caption id="attachment_505" align="aligncenter" width="225"] French Toast in Bourbon Sauce[/caption] [caption id="attachment_506" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Matador Omelet and Cheese Grits[/caption] [caption id="attachment_507" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Biscuits and Gravy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_514" align="aligncenter" width="199"] Hot…
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