Well, the Blogging Challenge is winding down. It has been a wild and wacky challenge for me.
Through the month I have provided readers with a wide variety of wonderful signs which I wandered upon during the year. As I do with all of my posts, I try to be witty and wry in my presentation. I hope that I have brought out the wanderlust in my readers as well. This post will be all about Welcome Signs. Please now enjoy my special edition of W Signs from my travels over the years. Enjoy the Read. Enjoy the Ride.
Welcome Signs Everywhere!
Welcome to my happy place…traveling everywhere
I love feeling welcome in places! Perhaps one of my bigger “collections” of place signs along the highways of America are the Welcome signs to states, communities and places. Here are just a few of the dozens and dozens have wandered upon in my travels. This post features welcome signs taken from 2005 to present. Want everyone to feel Welcome.
Welcome to my Welcome Blog PostWelcome to Oklahoma
Welcome to Carew Tower Sign in Carew Tower Elevators, CincinnatiWelcome to Henry, IllinoisWelcome to Kentucky, home sweet homeWelcome to Dime Box, TexasWelcome to Zelienople-Harmony, PennsylvaniaWelcome to Kingston, WashingtonWelcome to Punkyville, Kentucky… near Falmouth, Kentucky
We all know who is really Nice! Nice, CA
Welcome to Nevada sign in Denio, NevadaWelcome to Leavenworth, WashingtonWelcome to Shiner, TexasKabetogama Lake – Voyageurs National Park, MinnesotaWelcome to Gauley Bridge, West VirginiaWelcome to Cave City, Kentucky… gateway to Mammoth Cave National ParkWelcome to Tonica, IllinoisWelcome to the Monongahela Incline in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaWelcome to Millersburg, OhioWelcome to Butte, MontanaWelcome to Big Stone Gap, VirginiaWelcome to Dublin, OH, Home of Wendy’sWelcome to Estill County, KentuckyWelcome to Santa Claus, IndianaWelcome to West, TexasWelcome to Alligator, MississippiWelcome to Silver Gate, MontanaWelcome to Choteau, Montana signWelcome to Metropolis, IllinoisWelcome to the Rockpile Museum in Gillette, WyomingWelcome to Council Bluffs, IowaWelcome to New Mexico at Raton PassWelcome to Damascus, VirginiaWelcome to Wyoming sign on US 30Welcome to What Cheer, IowaWelcome to Winner, South Dakota – Pheasant Capital of the WorldWelcome to Hope, Arkansas – birthplace of Bill ClintonWelcome to PittsburghWelcome to Viborg, South DakotaWelcome to Hell, MichiganWelcome to Peculiar, MissouriWelcome to Sisters, OregonWelcome to Yellville, ArkansasWelcome to Boring, OregonWelcome to Earth, TexasWelcome to Vulcan, Alberta sign in KlingonWelcome to Mystic Seaport, Mystic, ConnecticutWelcome to Seymour, Wisconsin Home of the HamburgerWelcome to Pella, IowaWelcome to Montana in West YellowstoneWelcome to Clallam Bay and Sekiu, WashingtonWelcome to Stanley, IdahoWelcome to Colorado at WY 789 and CO 13Welcome to Bemidji, MinnesotaWelcome to Crawford, NebraskaWelcome to Sharkheads in Biloxi Beach, MississippiWelcome to Salem Sue in New Salem, North DakotaWelcome to Paris, Tennessee Catfish – they claim to be the Catfish CapitalWelcome to Real Goods, a great store in Hopland, CaliforniaWelcome to Kountry Korner’s Krazy Kreatures in Kingston, WashingtonWelcome to Orr, MinnesotaWelcome to Mena, ArkansasWelcome to White Castle, LouisianaWelcome to New Hampshire in Sept 2015 – State #49!Welcome to Gourdough’s Donuts in Austin, TexasWelcome to Vermont, near Brattleboro on Vermont Hwy 142 — the 50th state I visitedWelcome to KansasWelcome to Alvin, Texas, hometown of Nolan RyanWelcome to West VirginiaWelcome to Kensington District of Toronto, Ontario
Welcome to Whitetop, VirginiaWelcome to Delaware…first time since 1986. Visited in 2016 during Christmas HolidayWelcome to Heini’s Cheese Factory in Charming, OhioWelcome to Uranus, MissouriWelcome to Hopkinsville, KY for the Solar Eclipse 2017Welcome to Egg Harbor, WisconsinWelcome to Huntsville, TexasWelcome to Wilsall, Montana (with the Welcome Bird on top of the sign!)Welcome to Crookston mural in Crookston, MinnesotaWelcome to Cokeville, WyomingWelcome to Gregory, South DakotaWelcome to Mars, PennsylvaniaWelcome to Talent, OregonWelcome to Pascagoula, Mississippi, Birthplace of Jimmy BuffetWelcome to Waterville, WashingtonWelcome to Canonsburg, PennsylvaniaWelcome to Ketchikan, Alaska … from my wifeWelcome to the Guitar Walk at Cavanaugh Park in Walnut Ridge, ArkansasWelcome to Dienner’s Country Restaurant in Amish Country, Ronks, PennsylvaniaWelcome to Granbury, TexasWelcome to North DakotaWelcome to Hugo, Oklahoma… home of the country’s only cemetery dedicated to Circus PerformersWelcome to North CarolinaWelcome to Papa Joe’s Oasis, Crescent Junction, UtahWelcome to Hochatown, OklahomaWelcome to Doolittle, MissouriWelcome to Nitro, West VirginiaWelcome to Hipp Station of the Holmes County Rails to Trails in Millersburg, OhioWelcome to Pierre Part, LA, home of the TV Show Swamp PeopleWelcome to the Oyster Capital of the World, South Bend, WashingtonWelcome to the Corn Palace…Mitchell, South DakotaWelcome to Sweet Home Alabama with some of my grandchildren in early 2017Sumoflam in Floodwood, MinnesotaWelcome to Luling, TexasWelcome to Washington, PennsylvaniaWelcome to Jackson, Wyoming!!A giant troll sculpture greets you at the Mount Horeb, Wisconsin Welcome Center. Created by Wally KellerWelcome to Oacoma, South DakotaWelcome to the Seattle WaterfrontWelcome to Hemingford, NebraskaWelcome to Saco, Montana, birthplace of 1960s newscaster Chet HuntleyWelcome to Nekoma, North DakotaWelcome to Jackson Center, Ohio. Home of AirstreamWelcome to Rabbit Hash, KentuckyNicholson, Pennsylvania’s welcome sign features the famous ViaductWelcome to Chelsea, MichiganWelcome to Lost Springs, Wyoming Population 1 in 2007. Population 4 in 2017.Welcome to Chinook, MontanaWelcome to Dallas, South Dakota where the main street goes under the water towerWelcome to Buffalo, WyomingWelcome to Salida, ColoradoWelcome to Swedesburg, IowaWelcome to Steubenville, Ohio, a small town full of murals and historyWelcome to Montana on US Route 2 heading westWelcome to MissouriWelcome to Salt Lake City, UtahWelcome to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas…home of the Rock N Roll HighwayWelcome to Wall, South Dakota, home of Wall Drug. Now you know where the heck it is.Welcome to Many, Louisiana Not just a few here!Welcome Sign in Indianapolis, IndianaWelcome to Gold Bar, Washington Gateway to the CascadesWelcome to Virden, ManitobaWelcome to SaskatchewanWelcome to Vulcan, Alberta Sept 2007 (look for me…)Welcome to Beachville, Ontario…birthplace of BaseballENJOY!
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!!
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.
After a great three days in Galveston, it was time to get back on the road. I would head north to Houston, then on to Austin and eventually into Fort Worth.
Texas is a BIG state and there is lots of ground to cover. My first day would cover some backroads from Galveston and meander my way into Houston where I would stay overnight with my uncle.
Heart of Texas Route Day 1 – Galveston to Houston the long way
There were things I had planned to see along the way and found a few things along the way as well. I figured that I may not get this way again (south of Houston) for a while, so I took advantage of a full day of driving to see some parts of Texas that many may not really get to.
My plans were to drive to Alvin, but along the way I came across an interesting house in Santa Fe, Texas. I had to stop and get a few shots. I discovered an unusual huge estate right on TX Hwy 6. It is called the Pignataro Estate, though many call it a castle.
Pignataro Castle, Santa Fe, TexasPignataro Castle in Santa Fe, Texas
According to an article I found from the Galveston Daily News, September 20, 1981, the home was originally built in the 1930s by a widow of a well-to-do Danish immigrant. It has since passed hands a number of times and has been owned by the Pignataro family since the 1970s. This larges estate apparently has 26 rooms and a number of other amenities. Following are a few more shots of some of the many white cement statues in the yard.
White cement statuary of Pignataro Estate in Santa, TexasWhite Stallions guard the front gate of the Pignataro Castle in Santa Fe, TexasCloseup shot of one of the cement stallions at Pignataro Estate in Santa Fe, TexasRoyal Statues of riders inside the fences of Pignataro Estate in Santa Fe, TexasLion Fencepost at Pignataro Estate in Santa Fe, Texas
It is places like the Pignataro Estate that make it so worthwhile to take back roads and see the sites. After my brief photo shoot there, I continued north to Alvin, Texas, the birthplace of famed pitcher Nolan Ryan.
Welcome to Alvin, Texas, hometown of Nolan Ryan
Alvin is about 25 miles southeast of Houston, and like Santa Fe, it is a town originally built around the railroad. Currently, there are just under 25,000 residents in this town known for its connection to Nolan Ryan.
Alvin Historic Depot Center, Alvin, TX
Nolan Ryan spent a good part of his youth living in Alvin and playing Little League Baseball there and even became a famed high school pitcher at Alvin High School, where some players refused to go up to bat against him because of his amazing fastball. A Hall of Famer now, he serves as an adviser to the Houston Astros organization.
Nolan Ryan Center, Alvin, TexasNolan Ryan Statue, Alvin, TXSumoflam with Nolan Ryan in Alvin, TX
After the brief visit in Alvin and headed south to Angleton to visit the first of the Big Three statues in southern Texas. Angleton is home to the Stephen F. Austin statue, which stands 76 feet tall from the base.
Welcome to Angleton, Texas
Since I wrote extensively about the Stephen Austin statue in an earlier post, I am just including a couple of photos here.
Stephen F. Austin Statue as seen from the Highway
While at the Stephen F. Austin Statue park, I came across a couple of what I have learned are Cattle Egrets. Smaller than a Great Egret, I saw them foraging in the grasses. I saw some of these birds in a horse field in Louisiana as well. Unique looking, beautiful birds. Cattle egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their feeding habitats include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands and rice paddies. They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals.
Cattle Egret seen in Angleton, TexasAnother shot of a Cattle Egret
From Angleton I headed to the small town of Lake Jackson, TX, to find my way…literally! The “main drag” of Lake Jackson is called This Way and they also have a That Way. Here are a few fun shots of these unique road names and the story behind them. (And, by the way, Kentucky’s Senator Rand Paul spent most of his childhood in Lake Jackson…and he found his way to Kentucky and the US Senate!)
You can see that This Way is actually thatta wayThis Way is not until the next signalAhh…there it is…This Way
All streets radiating from downtown Lake Jackson end in the word “Way.” Among the streets are Center Way, Winding Way, Circle Way, and Parking Way. There is an intersection of two streets named This Way and That Way. In the same spirit, a local church near Bess Brannen Elementary placed a small sign in their driveway named His Way. There is also an Any Way.
At the Corner of This Way and That Way in Lake Jackson, TXPlaque at the corner of This Way and That WaySo, which Way do I take?To confuse, at one point there is a Three Way that leads to Center Way
And then there is the old British Phone Box on This Way
Shades of Dr. Who, not quite a TARDIS, but certainly out of place in southern Texas
Speaking of out of place, as I headed out of town on my way to West Columbia, TX, lo and behold, what do I see driving in front of me?
UK Car in Texas. The driver was all decked out in UK Gear too. Check out the License Plate!
The next stop in my roundabout tour of SE Texas was in West Columbia, which was known as the First Capitol of Texas. The first Congress of the Republic of Texas was convened in West Columbia on October 3, 1836, when the town was still just named Columbia.
Entering West Columbia, TX with the note that there are historical markers in townHistorical Marker about West Columbia, TXSumoflam at the location of the First Capitol of Texas
I always have a penchant for old theaters and the Capitol Theater in West Columbia is a classic.
Old Capitol Theater in West Columbia, TX. A Classic Old Building
This old theater was first open in 1937 and by 1941 it had its name changed to the Capitol.
Mural on a wall in Damon, TX
From West Columbia I made my way to Damon, TX up Texas Highway 36. I have a friend in Lexington named Damon so I had to stop and send him a shot or two for fun!
Damon, TX highway sign. Unusual to see the name of the town on a street signThis used to be Eddie’s Garage…in Damon, TXI sent this to my friend Damon. The old clapboard style post office in Damon, TX
Damon was actually a unique little place. Even the old road signs were still in use and had character, but weren’t too legible.
Corner of Live Oak and Woodward in Damon, TXCorner of Live Oak and Stockwell in Damon, TXWest of the Brazos Bar and Grill sign in Damon, TXHighway 36 in Damon, TXThere is Planet Hollywood and then there is Planet Damon…this “water tower” was about 14 feet tall
From Damon I returned east on Texas Highway 1462 towards Rosharon, TX with a quick turn off on TX 762 to visit the Brazos Bend State Park, known for ts alligator sightings. I had visited places in Louisiana and Mississippi earlier on this trip in hopes of seeing alligators, but never got to see any. Maybe this would be the charm!
Turn off to Hwy 762 and Brazos Bend State ParkBrazos Bend State Park, Texas
Maybe I’ll find that elusive gator yet!
Caution – Alligators
And, voila….
I found a gator!!
And walking around the swamp area I got another gator view.
Gator LandAnother Gator
The State Park had a couple of miles of rads and a few swampy areas.
Moss Covered Tree in Brazos Bend State ParkFlowering Lily Pads in the swampMore Flowers
With my Gator Sighting checked off my bucket list and totally hot and sweaty after my hike around the pond, it was back in the car and on to Rosharon, TX. Didn’t plan a stop in Rosahron, but I couldn’t resist a couple of shots of the Cherokee Rose Trading Post.
Cherokee Rose Trading Post in Rosharon, TXPink Pigs and Pink Flamingos for sale at Cherokee Rose Trading PostSide view of Cherokee Rose Trading Post
After my quick drive by, I back tracked and headed up Hwy 36 towards Needville, TX on my way to Wharton. Along the way I saw a good old vintage neon sign for a roadside cafe called “The Jay”, in Needville.
The Jay Cafe in Needville, Texas. Vintage neon signA big metal rooster sits in front of the Jay Cafe…doesn’t look like a jay to me.
From Needville, I headed west towards Boling and Iago.
Welcome to Boling, TXIago, Texas
Nothing in those two towns but the signs were interesting!! Then it was on to Wharton. Lots of fun things to see in little Wharton.
Sumoflam at the Tee Pee Motel in Wharton, TX
My main reason for visiting Wharton was to visit the Tee Pee Motel, a retro throwback to the 50s and 60s. According to their website, “The Teepee Motel was originally built in 1942 by George and Toppie Belcher to serve travelers heading across Texas on State Highway 60. This was an era of grand roadtrips, family adventure, and American innocence. The Teepee operated for 40 years, until the Interstate Highway system and a new era of travel routed customers away from the motel in the early 1980’s. The motel eventually closed and would remain so for over 15 years.
One of three murals in Wharton painted by Dayton Wodrich. This one is 100′ wide and offers one historical peak at Wharton, TX
Another notable set of items are a number of murals painted by Independence, Texas mural artist Dayton Wodrich. He has done at least five murals in Wharton (though I only saw four when I drove around town). Following are a couple more…
Black History Mural by Dayton WodrichFuture of Wharton, TX Mural by Dayton WodrichHistorical churches of Wharton, TX mural by Dayton Wodrich
Wharton has a great old courthouse and theater in town as well.
Old courthouse in Wharton, TXOld Plaza Theater in Wharton, TXBuildings in downtown Wharton, TX
After my visit to Wharton I then headed northeast on US 59 and eventually made my way to the outskirts of Houston into the Sugar Land area where I visited the second of the three Texas Giant statues, this one, the giant Quan Te Am Bo Tat statue at the Vietnamese Buddhist Center. The statue was designed an build by New Orleans artist Mai Chi. She escaped from Vietnam in 1989 and spent four years in a refugee camp in Indonesia.
Vietnamese Buddhist Center in Sugar Land, TXGiant 72′ tall Quan Am statue in Sugar Land, TXSleeping Buddha Statue at the Vietnam Buddhist CenterMarble Lion StatuePagoda at the Vietnamese Buddhist CenterView of the Gardens and Quan Am statue at Vietnamese Buddhist CenterSumoflam at the Vietnamese Buddhist Center
From the Vietnamese Center I headed to my uncle’s for an overnight in Houston.
Next post will cover Houston to Austin via the heart of Texas.