A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The A Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alabama, Amish Country, Antelope, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Bike Trails, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Canada, Colorado, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Japan, Landscapes, Less Beaten Paths Books, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, National Monuments, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, People Shots, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, Street People, Television Shows, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Virginia, Washington, Waterfalls, Wildflowers, Wyoming
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.   Aliens on a Coke Machine - Roswell, New Mexico [caption id="attachment_3278" align="alignnone" width="525"] Have a Coke and a Smile?? Coke machine in Roswell...[/caption] Airstream Factory - Jackson Center, Ohio [caption id="attachment_15485" align="alignnone" width="430"] Sumoflam hanging at the Airstream Visitor's Center in Jackson Center, OH[/caption] Alder Lake Tree Stumps - Elbe, Washington [caption id="attachment_14405" align="alignnone" width="266"] Alder Lake stumps near Elbe, WA[/caption] Adair Smiley Water Tower - Adair,…
Read More

Vintage Neon Everywhere

Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, South Dakota, States and Provinces, Tennessee, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
[caption id="attachment_6800" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Old Mojo Gas Sign - Rock Springs, Wyoming[/caption] Everywhere I go I see old neon.  These signs remind me of the my youthful days in the 1960s and 70s when we traveled.  Alas, for many, the only signs they see are the same unoriginal fast food, gas station and motel chain signs all over the place.  But, in the by gone days there were few McDonald's and Motel 6 spots.  Instead, there were the little cozy motels with the old metal chairs in the front and the unique neon signs.  There were the local burger joints with their big shiny signs.  And there were the drive in movie theaters and the downtown theatres with their unique names.  Here is a trip down memory lane with neon…
Read More

I've Been Everywhere – Part II: Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Colorado, Horses, Missouri, Place Names, Route 66, South Dakota, Squirrels, States and Provinces, Trinity Music Productions, Wildflowers
Sumoflam's Signs[/caption] One of the norms of driving the back roads of America are the town signs.  Anyone that drives any roads typically sees hundreds of them.  Of course, some are pretty typical town names, but, there are many that aren't typical.   Here are a few "descriptive" town name signs that I have picked up along the less beaten paths of America.  I have written about some of these places, but now we can "compare." I would like to say I have made it to all of the strange and wacky town places, but indeed I have not.  Here is one non-definitive list from infoplease.com.  Here are a couple more links to the topic - Top 10 Worst Named Cities, Bad Names for Towns, Interesting Town Names. As my photo…
Read More