13May 2021 by David Kravetz
AtoZ Challenge 2021 – Signs Signs – The U Signs #atozchallenge

AtoZ Challenge 2021 – Signs Signs – The U Signs #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Books, California, Cross Country Road Trips, Less Beaten Paths Books, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Offbeat Places, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Route 66, Selfies, Stop Signs, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 14, US Highway 16, Utah, Water Towers, Welcome Signs, Wyoming
I have fallen way behind on my A to Z posts this year due to added work and travel, but I will get them all!  This year I am doing signs that I have seen across the country.  This post will feature signs associated with the Letter U. ENJOY THE RIDE! We can't avoid signs.  They are everywhere.  Advertisements, informational signs, directional signs, business signs and, sometimes, even humorous and fun signs.  Each of my posts in this years' challenge will feature a hodgepodge of signs I have come across in my travels.  In most cases, I'll also note where they were taken.  Some were actually inside of shops or otherwise, so not all will have locations.  I hope you enjoy the remainder of my posts as get to them…
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02Apr 2018 by David Kravetz

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

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Arizona, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Books, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, California, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Dinosaurs, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Junk Art, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Lewis and Clark Sites, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Philippines, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Television Shows, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Volcanic Sites, Wall Art, Water Towers, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art
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.   Cyclisk - Santa Rosa, California [caption id="attachment_12871" align="alignnone" width="266"] "Cyclisk" - Obelisk made out of bicycle parts in Santa Rosa, CA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_12834" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sumoflam at the base of "Cyclisk"[/caption] Charles Nagreen Statue - Seymour, Wisconsin [caption id="attachment_12444" align="alignnone" width="266"] Hamburger Charlie statue in Seymour, WI. Charles Nagreen is credited with inventing the hamburger.[/caption] Sam & Eulalia Frantz "Field of Corn"- Dublin, Ohio [caption id="attachment_15303" align="alignnone"…
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21Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

O is for Offbeat Oddities – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mythical Creatures, New York, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Oregon, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
For me there is a difference between "Offbeat" and "Quirky."  I like to look at things that are offbeat as being similar to something conventional or recognizable, but just somewhat off.  On the other hand, quirky is closer to non-conventional and sometimes even absurd (my Q post will focus on Quirky). [caption id="attachment_783" align="aligncenter" width="529"] Oddville, Kentucky[/caption] When I am traveling I love looking at the beauty and nature around me, but I also seek out the offbeat and quirky.  One source I always use to help me find these locations is the Roadside America app. This app covers all 50 states and most of Canada and includes almost anything offbeat, odd, quirky and even downright outlandish and ridiculous. There are literally 1000s of sites and things to find and…
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13Feb 2017 by David Kravetz
Uncertain Revisited: A Tour of Caddo Lake

Uncertain Revisited: A Tour of Caddo Lake

Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Blue Heron, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Egret, Family Travel, Louisiana, Mythical Creatures, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Swamps, Texas, Town Names, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places
It was a few years ago when I first visited Uncertain, TX (You can see my March 2012 Post here.).  As a matter fact, it was on a cold day in February 2012 when I stopped by to see it for my first time. The real draw for me initially, was the name of the town, but the bigger draw ended up being the beautiful swamp-like setting of Caddo Lake. This past weekend (Feb. 10, 2017) I had an opportunity again to visit this beautiful setting, this time with my daughter and her three children. Unlike my visit to Uncertain before, we had bigger sights set on seeing Caddo Lake and some of the swamp. [caption id="attachment_17361" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Our guide, Aaron Applebaum with Mystique Tours[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17358" align="alignleft" width="300"]…
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22Feb 2013 by David Kravetz

Now For Something Completely Different – My Backroads Bucket List

Backroads Discoveries
Banff, Alberta, Canada[/caption] So often on this blog I write of where I have been and what I have seen, but, I also have dreams of some huge road trips.  Perhaps my biggest dream is to go to Alaska via Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon Territory.  I have even gotten my free booklet from NorthtoAlaska.com entitled "The Ultimate North American Road Trip".  If I were to do this trip, the following would be my mapped route: My Ultimate Dream Trip Some of the sights I would want to see (all photos taken from the North to Alaska website -- since I have not been to these places yet...) [caption id="attachment_1701" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Spirit Island, Jasper NP, Alberta[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1698" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Kinuseo Falls, Monkman BC[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1700" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Spectrum…
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01Mar 2012 by David Kravetz

I am certain this is Uncertain

Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Landscapes, Louisiana, Mythical Creatures, Pelicans, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Swamps, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Houses, Unique Places, Yard Art
Uncertain, Texas[/caption] Welcome to Uncertain, TX, a small village on the side of Caddo Lake in eastern Texas bordering Louisiana.  This is the home of the largest natural fresh water lake in Texas and is also home to a huge swamp...yes, gators and pelicans and swamp things, oh my... [caption id="attachment_47" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Uncertain General Store and Grill[/caption] Uncertain derives its name from surveyors who were attempting to delineate the border between Texas and Louisiana and discovered that they were "uncertain" as to which side of the line they were on as they began surveying that particular part of Caddo Lake.  I can imagine why this is.  The swamp always changes. I got to Uncertain on a cool February morning in 2010.  Fisherman were readying their boats to head…
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