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.
Talent, Oregon
Welcome to Talent, OregonTalent MuralTalent Police
Tee Pee Motel – Wharton, Texas
Tee Pee Motel in Wharton, TXSumoflam at the Tee Pee Motel in Wharton, TX
Thoroughbred Park – Lexington, Kentucky
Thoroughbred Park, Lexington, KYHorse and jockey racing down the track. Perhaps my favorite photo of all from Thoroughbred Park
Tightwad, Missouri
Tightwad, MOTightwad Bank – no longer in business, but was fun to see while there
Tornado, West Virginia
Tornado, WVTornado Church
Top of the World Store – Beartooth Pass – near Cody, Wyoming
Welcome to Top of the World Store on Beartooth Pass Highway north of Cody, Wyoming.Sumoflam at Top of the World on the Beartooth Highway in Wyoming
Tulum, Mexico
Enjoying a visit to the Tulum Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico
Tews Falls – Hamilton, Ontario
Tews Falls in Hamilton, OntarioTews Falls, Hamilton, Ontario
Trailer Park Eatery – Austin, Texas
Trailer Park Eatery in Austin — a hybrid “food truck” type of place comprised of trailers that are actually like food trucksTrailer Park Eatery. Check out the Airstreams!
Teddy Rides Again – Enchanted Highway – Regent, North Dakota
Enchanted Highway Stop #6 – Teddy Rides AgainSumoflam at Teddy Rides Again
Turkey Vultures guard their meal near McKee, KYA Turkey Vulture, also called a buzzard, flying way overhead in Versailles, KYTurkey vulture gathering on a road in central Kentucky
Thermopolis, Wyoming
Welcome to Thermopolis, WYA sign about the Hot Springs of Thermopolis
Trail Town USA – Damascus, Virginia
Damascus calls itself Trail Town USA for a reason. The Appalachian Trail, the Virginia Creeper Trail and others come to a crossroads here.At the Cross Roads of the Virginia Creeper and Appalachian Trails
Ten Sleep, Wyoming
Crazy Woman Cafe in Ten Sleep, WyomingTen Sleep Canyon on US 16 near Ten Sleep, WY
Thronehenge – Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden – Calvert City, Kentucky
Thronehenge in the Hillbilly Garden
Tomahawk, Wisconsin
Tomahawk, WIBig Bull Moose in Tomahawk, WI
Texan Motel – Raton, New Mexico
Texan Motel neon in Raton, New Mexico
Teton Drive In – Rexburg, Idaho
The old Teton Drive-In – Rexburg, Idaho
This Way and That Way – Lake Jackson, Texas
Corner of This Way and That Way in Lake Jackson, TXThis Way U TurnPlaque describing the naming of the roads This Way and That Way in Lake Jackson, TX
Taughannock Falls – Ulysses, New York
Taughannock Falls in New York
Turtle Twist Ice Cream – Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Turtle Twist Ice Cream in Canonsburg, PA
Theodore Roosevelt National Park – Medora, South Dakota
Some of the scenic and colorful hills of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Teepee Cafe – Bonesteel, South Dakota
TeePee Cafe – Bonesteel, South Dakota
Taisekiji – Fujinomiya, Japan
One of the huge buildings of Taisekiji in Fuji-no-miya (ca. 1978)Towering pillars of Taisekiji. Notice the little dots at the bottom…those are people. (ca. 1978)
Tower Rock State Park – Cascade, Montana
Missouri River in Tower Rock State ParkHardy Bridge in Tower Rock State Park
Tioga, Texas
Tioga, Texas – Birthplace of Gene AutryTioga Heritage MuseumRustic shopping area of Tioga, Texas
Tallman Hotel – Upper Lake, California
The Tallman HotelTallman Hotel in Upper Lake, CA
Tersier (Actually called a Tarsius) – Bohol, Philippines
A Tersier on Bohol
Tunica, Mississippi
Gateway to the Blues, Tunica, MississippiThe Tate Log House in Tunica, MS
Thorncrown Chapel – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Tom Sawyer’s Fence – Hannibal, Missouri
My two sons, Seth and Solomon, at Tom Sawyer’s Fence in Hannibal, Missouri., Summer 2001
Threadgill’s – Austin, Texas
Threadgills in AustinJanis Joplin painting at Threadgill’s
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Truth or Consequences, NMNM 152 near Truth or Consequences, NM
Two-Tailed Walleye – Shell Lake, Wisconsin
Two Tailed Walleye Statue in Shell LakeSumoflam with the Shell Lake Two-Tailed Walleye
Train Mural in Gauley Bridge painted by Nancy Lane to commemorate the rich rail heritage of the town.A large mural of a train welcomes visitors to Ravenna, KYTrain mural in Glasgow Montana on the side of a building
Texas Pipe Supply – Houston, Texas
Giant Armadillo – Texas Pipe Company – Houston, TexasBig Scrap Metal Stegosaurus – Texas Pipe Company – Houston, Texas
Twin Buttes – Atomic City, Idaho
Twin Buttes near Atomic City as seen heading west to Arco, ID
Three-Legged Willie – Georgetown, Texas
Statue of Three-Legged Willie in Georgetown, TX
Totem Poles – Neah Bay, Washington; Blueberry, Wisconsin; Ketchikan, Alaska; Superior, Wisconsin
A totem pole in Neah Bay, WAScrap Metal totem pole outside of Blueberry, WI Antique storeSumoflam with a Totem Pole in KetchikanWooden Bear Totem Pole – Gronk’s in Superior, Wisconsin
Troll City – Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin
Welcome to Mt. Horeb, WIAhhh..trollsAnother Mt. Horeb Troll (or two?)One of dozens of HUGE trolls in Mt. Horeb, WisconsinGrumpy Troll Brew Pub and Restaurant, Mt. Horeb, WIAnother Mt. Horeb Troll – for good measure
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.
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.
Blueberry, WI
Old Antique Store in Blueberry, WI
Brazos Bend State Park – Needville, TX
Brazos Bend State Park, TexasAnother Gator in Brazos State Park
Bruce Windmill Farm – Woodstock, ON
Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill in Woodstock, ON is One of Ontario’s premier “roadart” places
Bison/Buffalo – Yellowstone National Park
Bison and calves relax by a lake in YellowstoneA big bison poses for me in Yellowstone
Blackwater, Missouri
City of Blackwater, MO
Boring Post Office – Boring, Oregon
Boring Post OfficeEntering Boring
Bridges of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Bridges of Pittsburgh
Bugtussle, Kentucky
Remember Jed Clampett from the Beverly Hillbillies??
What remains of the Bugtussle General Store in Bugtussle, KY
Buffalo Bill Museum – LeClaire, Iowa
Buffalo Bull Museum in LeClaire, Iowa
Beloit Smiley Water Tower – Beloit, WI
Beloit’s Smiley Water Tower greets visitors to Wisconsin
Two-State Sign – Bristol, TN and Bristol, VA
Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia – taken when we visited the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail
Beatles Tribute – Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
This way to Beatles Park at the corner of US 67 and Abbey Rd. in Walnut Ridge, ARThe Beatles Abbey Road Sculpture in Beatles Park.
Big Fish Supper Club – Bena, Minnesota
Big Fish Supper Club, Bena, MNComplete view of the Big Fish Supper Club and the Big Fish in Bena, MN
Blue Heron Photos – Lexington, Kentucky & Uncertain, Texas
Blue Heron grabbing some breakfastBlue Heron in Flight over Jacobson Lake in KentuckyA blue heron flies by on Caddo Lake near Uncertain, Texas
Booger Hollow, Arkansas
Booger Hollow, Arkansas in 2007
Barbed Wire Sculpture at Sod House Museum – Gothenburg, Nebraska
Barbed Wire Indian Chief and Horse – Sod House Museum – Gothenburg, Nebraska
Bob Evans Headquarters – New Albany, Ohio
Bob Evans Farm HQ – New Albany, OH
Butte, Montana
Welcome to Butte, Montana
Blue Banana Espresso – Lostine, Oregon
Blue Banana Espesso Bar in Lostine, Oregon
Bessie the Cow – Janesville, Wisconsin
Bessie the Cow in Janesville, WI
Blues Highway – US 61 in Mississippi
Sumoflam at the Blues Highway in Mississippi
Beatles Statues – Houston, Texas
The 35 Foot tall Beatles statues by David Adickes, currently on display outside Houston’s 8th Wonder Brewery
Hot Spring Shower in Hot Spring Capital of Japan – Beppu, Japan
A hot spring shower in Beppu…and yes, the towel was necessary. 1990
Brown Pelicans in Formation – Galveston, Texas
Pelicans in formation over the Gulf of Mexico in Galveston, TXPelicans fly in formation over the beach in Galveston
Beartooth Pass – near Red Lodge, Montana
The Beartooth Range in northern Wyoming.At the Beartooth Highway in May 2015
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Big Stone Gap, VA
Boudreau’s Antiques and Collectibles – Ashland, Wisconsin
Boudreau’s Antiques Boudreau’s Antiques and Collectibles on US Hwy 2 east of Ashland, WI
Big Jud’s Burgers – Rexburg, Idaho
Big Jud’s Gourmet Burgers, Rexburg, IDTotal indulgence in a Big Jud’s “small” burger
Tersier Monkey in Bohol, Philippines
A Tersier in Bohol
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park in SDSunset at the Badlands in South Dakota.
Big Apple – Medina, NY (Yes, the OTHER big apple in New York)
Big Apple Medina, NY
World’s Largest Buffalo – Jamestown, North Dakota
World’s Largest Buffalo in Jamestown, ND
Big Bone Lick State Park – Union, Kentucky
Big Bone Lick State Park, Kentucky
Big Indian – Bemidji, Minnesota
Big Indian in Bemidji, MN in front of a souvenir shop
Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum – Vicksburg, Mississippi
Biedenharn Museum Sign, Vicksburg, MS
Big John – Great Falls, Montana
Cowboy Muffler Man – Big John in Great Falls, Montana
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.
Like so many other people, I have a bucket list of places I want to visit in my lifetime. On my trip in May 2014 I was able to scratch off TWO of them! The first was a trip across US Route 2 from Michigan to Montana, with a stop in Bemidji, MN to see the giant Paul Bunyan and Ox statues (so it was kind of a three for the price of two really). You can read about that portion of the trip HERE.
Sumoflam on the Beartooth Highway (All-American Road)US 212 East on Beartooth Highway
The second, and perhaps more thrilling and fulfilling to me, was being able to travel US Highway 212 across Yellowstone and then over the Beartooth Highway, one of America’s greatest Scenic Byways. This 68 mile trip makes its way through Yellowstone and then from the Northeast Entrance across northwest Wyoming and winds its way into southwest Montana ending at Red Lodge. I have dreamed of taking this highway for almost a long time.
US 212 Map from NE corner of Yellowstone to Red Lodge, MT
Looking north to Roosevelt Arch and Montana from Yellowstone entranceAt the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park, still on US 89 in MontanaMammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National ParkRoad into Mammoth Hot SpringsA shot of Mammoth Hot SpringsAnother view of the Mammoth Hot SpringsLiberty Cap (the big cone) and the hot springs in the background
While entering the Hot Springs area, I came across a beautiful elk.
An elk was seen roaming the area around Mammoth Hot Springs
Just south of Mammoth Hot Springs I finally left US Highway 89 and got on to the Grand Loop Road, which goes across the northern section of Yellowstone to the beginning of US Highway 212. at the Northeast section of the park. The Grand Loop is a very scenic drive and features mountain vistas, lakes and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities.
Grand Loop Road as seen from Mammoth Hot SpringsThe Blacktail Lakes in Yellowstone
In May 2013 I visited Yellowstone and saw a few bison, but on this northern part of the loop, there were hundreds of them.
Bison roam freely along the Grand Loop roadA big bison poses for meBison and calves relax by a lake
A good part of the Grand Loop Road runs alongside Lava Creek, which was full to overflowing due to snow runoff. There were plenty of scenic views with mountains, meadows, lakes and the creek.
Lava Creek with snow capped mountains in the backgroundEastern potion of Grand Loop RoadBison relax along Lava Creek while pronghorned antelope look on from the backgroundAnother splendid mountain scene from Grand Loop Road in YellowstoneMountains near the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone
Once I arrived at the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, I began my journey on US Highway 212. I felt very fortunate that the Beartooth Highway was open for travel. They had opened it only five days prior to my visit so my timing was perfect!
Northeast Entrance to YellowstoneA welcome sign for me. I had a smile at this pointGoodbye YellowstoneHello Beartooth Highway
The first stop along the way, after leaving Wyoming, was Silver Gate, Montana. Silver Gate is located just one mile from the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park and is only three miles from Cooke City. The small town is located on land homesteaded by Horace S. Double, for which he was granted a patent on May 2, 1897.
Welcome to Silver Gate, Montana
And just past there was Cooke City, Montana. The town of about 100 people was at one time a mining camp for gold and had The population consisted of 227 voters who that supported two smelters, two sawmills, three general stores, two hotels, two livery stables and the local meat market.
Cooke City, MontanaCooke City, Coolest Small Town in America
And Cooke City is also the real gateway to the Beartooth Highway. Just three minutes form downtown I was already high up in snow country and heading higher in altitude.
The Beartooth highway just east of Cooke City, Montana
The road then veers southward again and back into Wyoming for the fun stuff!
Welcome “back” to WyomingHeading into the mountains. Snow depth on the side of the road was about two feet at this pointFirst view of the Beartooths from the highway was awesome
As the highway climbed the grand views were amazing
Amazing view of the Beartooths
The road continued to climb and the snow grew ever deeper. The snow on the side of the road, as seen below, was the actual depth…it was not scooped there….
First view of really deep snowSnow walls
The road from Cooke City dropped for a while so I was in some prairie with mountains. I took this panorama photo with my iPhone.
Panorama of the Beartooths from east of Cooke City
After about 25 miles of driving and continuing the climb, I got to the Top of the World Store which sits at 9,400 feet altitude. I had to stop for some photos and a snack and a restroom break before the great ascent to Beartooth Pass.
Welcome to Top of the World StoreTop of the World Store – technically has a Cody, Wyoming address, but it is a long way from CodySumoflam at Top of the World StoreFound the sign “Follow Your Bliss” in the store and I was already with my bliss!I parked next to this stop sign which was covered by the snow…it was this deep all around
From Top of the World the winter wonderland became more amazing as walls of snow grew higher. I was loving it!
Walls of snow continue along the Beartooth Highway
From this point the road was switchbacks all the way up to the pass. I actually took a video of some of the drive through this winding wall of snow.
As I got to the top of the pass, at nearly 11,000 feet, I truly felt like I was on top of the world. Following are more photos of the spectacular scenes from the highway.
At Beartooth PassMountains as seen from the topThe Bear’s Tooth (Middle left)Glorious Mountain Vista from 11,000 feetAnother panorama from Beartooth Pass
From the pass, the road still wound its way slowly down hill as I went north back into Montana. The views and scenery just kept coming.
Welcome back to MontanaMountains and valleys in southern Montana
I finally made my way through the switchbacks and then down the hills for the 30 mile drive to Red Lodge, Montana, which is the northern gateway to the Beartooths.
US 212 drops considerably as it continues north of the BeartoothsWelcome to Red Lodge, Montana
Basically, from the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone to Red Lodge, Montana, via US 212, took me about two hours and 15 minutes, including stops along the way. One of the most amazing and beautiful 2 hours of my life (not counting marriage and children being born of course!!).
Downtown Red Lodge, Montana
Red Lodge, Montana is a nice little town booming with personality. There are old neon signs, unique eateries, a Peter Toth “Whispering Giant” (see my writeup from Idaho Falls’ “Whispering Giant”), and I even came across a unique art shop that makes animals out of juniper.
The Red Lodge Cafe sports an old classic neon sign.Took this photo for all of my cycle friends (you know who you are) – Bone Daddy’s Custom Cycle in Red Lodge
Hungarian-born and American immigrant sculptor Peter Toth has made a name for himself fomr his awe-inspiring giant wood-carved “Whispering Giants.” Over the years Toth has created at least one of these huge statues (all different) for each state in the United States. All of them collectively (at least 74 are documented) are known as the “Whispering Giants”. This was the third one I have seen on my trips in the past three years. Many of the Whispering Giants can been here.
Peter Toth’s “Whispering Giant” of Red Lodge, MontanaDetail of the “Whispering Giant” of Red Lodge.
Then there are those juniper animals. I love the creativity of artists around this country. Rocky Fork Juniper is owned by Lee Kern and Pete Imbs and they have other artists as well. Here are a couple of their unique works (they were closed when I got there).
Rocky Fork Juniper, Red Lodge, MontanaRocky Fork MooseRocky Fork GrizzlyWhimsical Lamp made of juniper at Rocky Fork
As the day wound down I made my way east from Red Lodge on Montana 308 to Belfry, then south on Montana 72 towards Wyoming, which turns into Wyoming 120, to end up overnight in Cody, after a wonderful day of driving through some of the most beautiful country in America.
Belfry, Montana with sign to Cody, Wyoming in backgroundWelcome to Wyoming (again!)Highway to Cody, Wyoming
The next post will cover my return trip leg from Cody through Douglas, WY (the Jackalope capital of the World) and then on to Alliance, NE, the home of the famed Carhenge.