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.
Ric’s Grill – Steak in Water Tower – Lethbridge, Alberta
Ric’s Grill – Lethbridge, AlbertaRic’s Grill – Lethbridge, Alberta
Route 66 Soda / Route Beer – Mokena, Illinois
Route 66 “Route Beer”
Rabbit Hash, Kentucky
Welcome to Rabbit Hash, KYSign at Rabbit Hash RoadThe Old Rabbit Hash General Store. It burned down in 2016 and had to be rebuilt.
Restroom Hiker Mural – Damascus, Virginia
Hiker painting on a restroom wall in Damascus
Other Restroom Fun – Story, Indiana; Hopland, California; San Francisco, California; Cleveland, Ohio; Cypress, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Nebraska City, Nebraska; Ashland, Montana; Frenchglen, Oregon
A sign outside the restrooms at the Story Inn in Story, IndianaThe sign talking about “Weird Restrooms” at Real Goods in Hopland, CAThere were also a number of tile mosaics. This one was at the entrance to the restrooms in Golden Gate Park visitor’s centerTavern of Little Italy Restroom is plastered with the history of Little Italy in ClevelandMen’s Stall Door in restroom at Burger Shack in Cypress, TexasJungle Jim’s Restroom in Cincinnati have entrances that are deceptive. They actually lead to immaculate huge restrooms.Men’s Restroom at Mo’s in Reedsport, OregonSapp Brothers in Nebraska City, the “Cleanest Restrooms on I-29”Restroom Door in a Convenience Store in Ashland, MontanaSometimes even a place like this looks heavenly – the ceramic toilet is a planter. The real place is in the outhouse. Frenchglen, Oregon
Rock City – near Valier, Montana
Rock City Rd. and Dean Rd., north of Valier, MTSumoflam at Rock City north of Valier, MontanaRock City, Montana
Geographical Center of North America – Rugby, North Dakota
Rugby, ND – The Geographic Center of North AmericaThe Rugby Geographical Center of North America monument juxtaposed with the HUB Motel sign in Rugby, ND
Real Goods Store – Hopland, California
Welcome to Real GoodsA view of the Real Goods StoreSumoflam with Solar Expert and Real Goods founder John Schaeffer
Riscky’s Steakhouse and BBQ – Fort Worth, Texas
Riscky’s Steakhouse – Ft. Worth, TexasRiscky’s BBQ – Ft. Worth
Rudyard, Montana
Rudyard Welcome SignSumoflam and Dino – near Rudyard, Montana
Ragged Falls – Algonquin National Park, Ontario
Ragged Falls in Algonquin National Park in Ontario
Rosie the Fish – Sekiu, Washington
Sekiu’s somewhat famous “Rosie” welcomes you to the town
Red Squirrel – Nebraska City, Nebraska
A red squirrel with a mouthful in Nebraska City, NE
Rising Eagle Sculpture – Bismarck, North Dakota
Rising Eagle Sculpture in Pioneer Park, Bismarck, ND
Royal Donut – Danville, Illinois
Royal Donut – Danville, Illinois
Royal Motel – Ironwood, Michigan
A Route 66 type of vintage neon sign at the Royal Motel in Ironwood, MI
Riverside, Iowa
Future Birthplace of James T. Kirk in Riverside, IALive Long and Prosper – Sumoflam and the Starship Riverside
Random Road – Cleveland, Ohio
Mayfield Road and Random Road, by the little park in Little Italy
Romance, Missouri
Road to RomanceRomance Baptist
Roseman Covered Bridge – Winterset, Iowa
Roseman Covered Bridge in Winterset, Iowa
Raton, New Mexico
Raton Theatre in Raton, NMMain Street in Raton, New MexicoEl Kapp Motel in Raton, NM
Rio Brazos Dance Hall – Granbury, Texas
Rio Brazos Dance Hall – Granbury, Texas (now closed)
Roxy Theatre in Choteau, MontanaROXY Theatre in Langdon, NDNew Roxy in Clarksdale, MSMontana Grill and Roxy Theater in Shelby, Montana
Rockpile Museum – Gillette, Wyoming
Rockpile Museum – Gillette, Wyoming
Roosters Roosters – Needville, Texas; E. Peoria, Illinois; Seymour, Missouri; Eldon, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri; Granbury, Texas
A big metal rooster sits in front of the Jay Cafe in Needville, Texas..doesn’t look like a jay to me.Sumoflam with the giant Rooster with a Top Hat at Carl’s Bakery in E. PeoriaUncle Rooster’s Big Rooster on US 60 near Seymour, MissouriMetal Rooster in McIntosh, MNRed Rooster (looks white to me) – Red Rooster Collectibles Eldon, IAGiant Rooster greets you at Joe’s Cafe entrance in Greg Freeman Park, St. LouisBig Rooster in Granbury, Texas
Roadhouse Relics – Austin, Texas
Roadhouse Relics Wall Sign in Austin
Russell Flat Holiness Church – Sand Springs, Kentucky
Russell Flat Holiness Church – Sand Springs, Kentucky
Regent, North Dakota – Home of the Enchanted Highway
Welcome to Regent and Enchanted Highway Road MapEnchanted Highway Gift Shop in Regent, ND – closed the day were there
Ronks, Pennsylvania
Dutch Haven Restaurant, Home of the famed Amish Shoo Fly Pie, located in Ronks, PA just down the road from IntercourseThe Outhouse Gift Shop – Ronks, PA
Russell’s Point, Ohio
Stewart’s Drive In in Russell’s Point, OhioBringing out the ice cream at Stewart’s
Roswell, New Mexico
UFOs in RoswellMore Art in Roswell, NMNeed some alien stuff? Plenty in Roswell
Rexburg, Idaho
Rexburg, IDRexburg LDS Temple
Rocket Rest Stop – Elkmont, Alabama
At the Rocket Rest Stop in Elkmont, AL – home of a Saturn 1B. Taken in 2005Large Saturn Rocket at Welcome Center in Elkmont, Alabama
Ride the Ducks – Seattle, Washington
Ride the Ducks in Seattle
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – Cleveland, Ohio
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, ClevelandRock and Roll Blvd. in Cleveland
Real Quiet Lane – Lexington, Kentucky
Shhh…this is a Real Quiet Lane in Lexington, KY
Red River Gorge – Slade, Kentucky
Red River Gorge near Slade, KYVisiting Kentucky’s Red River Gorge in November 2016
Rachel the Golden Pig – Pikes Place Market – Seattle, Washington
Rachel the Golden Pig (on the right!!!) and Sumoflam at Pike Place Market in Seattle
Redcliff, Colorado
Green Bridge near Redcliff, ColoradoNice carved eagle in Redcliff, Colorado
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.
Idaho Potato Museum – Blackfoot, Idaho
At the Idaho Potato Museum in 2013 – Blackfoot, IDIdaho Potato Museum – Blackfoot
Intercourse, Pennsylvania
Intercourse, PA Sign – the most stolen town sign in the USAmish Buggy Sales lot just outside of Intercourse
Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant – Corfu, New York
Indian Falls Log Cabin RestaurantIndian Falls from the parking lot of the Indian Falls Log Cabin restaurant in New York
Turtle Twist Ice Cream in Canonsburg, PASumoflam and Twistee Treat in Peoria, IL
Inverness, Montana dinosaur
The dinosaur sculpture off of US Highway 2 near Rudyard, made by farmer Byron Wolery of Inverness, MT
International Bakery – Omaha, Nebraska
International Bakery – Omaha, NebraskaShelves of Mexican pastries and breads at the International Bakery in Omaha
Indian River Inlet Bridge – Bethany Beach, Delaware
The Indian River Inlet Bridge between Maryland and Delaware
Ironwood, Michigan
A section of the Miner’s Memorial Mural in Ironwood, which was completed in 2012Historic Ironwood Theatre in Ironwood, MI
Indian Paintbrush – Cool, Texas
Indian Paintbrush
Indianapolis Children’s Museum – Indianapolis, Indiana
Giant Dinosaur at Indianapolis Children’s MuseumT Rex Trl in Indianapolis
Idan-Ha Drive In – Soda Springs, Idaho
Idan-Ha Drive In Theatre – Soda Springs, Idaho
Indian Head – Indian Head, Saskatchewan
Sumoflam at Indian Head Statue in Indian Head, SK in Canada in Sept. 2007
Iago, Texas
Iago, Texas
Imes Covered Bridge – St. Charles, Iowa
Imes Covered Bridge – St. Charles, Iowa
Irma Restaurant – Cody, Wyoming
Irma Restaurant, Cody, WY
Interstate by William King – Council Bluffs, Iowa
Interstate by William King at entrance to Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, IA
Independence Hall – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Independence Hall, Philadelphia
Island Hopping – Bohol and Cebu, Philippines
Island Hopping in the Philippines in 2006
Independence, Missouri
A portion of one of a series of ceramic murals on the Clay County Public Services Building in Independence, MO
Illinois Route 66 – Staunton, Illinois
Historic Route 66 in IllinoisRoute 66 “Route Beer”
Indianapolis, Indiana
Capital Building in Indianapolis, INWelcome Sign in Indianapolis
Irvine, Kentucky
Welcome to Irvine, KYA large wooden carving of a mountain mushroom in downtown Irvine, KY
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.
During the month of April 2016 I participated in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge had each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays.
This was my first opportunity to really participate in this annual event, which just completed its 6th year. It was not easy!! I had to not only post something daily, but also create a theme and stick with it. And, in my perfectionist way, I wanted to make sure there were plenty of photos and commentary. I wrote in such a way to draw people to the more detailed posts, where ever possible.
It was a load of fun and I completed the challenge. Not sure how many actually did, but it was certainly tough, yet fulfilling.
What I really loved about the event was being able to communicate and link up with others doing the same thing. I have made some new friends on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I have found some interesting blogs to follow and also have a few new followers.
I most certainly look forward to participating again next year. Now to start thinking of a good theme for next year. May actually take a long time!!!
A BIG Thanks to Arlee Bird and her wonderful team!!
My blog was number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts took readers across the back roads of America to many unique towns. See what other bloggers posted about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016
Following is a complete listing of each with the banners associated with each post’s link. Click on the Lettered Banner to go to the specific post.
The A Towns: Amarillo, TX – Adair, IA – Alzada, MT – Alamogordo, NM – Alligator, MS – Alliance, NE – Ada, MI – Akela Flats, NM
The B Towns: Bemidji, MN – Boring, OR – Blackfoot, ID – Burk’s Falls, ON – Booger Holler, AR – Brownsville, TN – Babb, MT – Blackwater, MO – Bena, MN – Bucksnort, TN – Bugtussle, KY – Bugtussle, TX
The C Towns: Cactus Flat, SD – Centralia, MO – Cape Elizabeth, ME – Climax, NC – Climax, KY – Choteau, MT – Cave City, KY – Charm, OH – Chelsea, MI – Champaign, IL – Cut Bank, MT – Caledonia, ON – Cut and Shoot, TX – China Grove, TX – Cool, TX – Coolville, OH
The D Towns: Douglas, WY – DeForest, WI – Discovery Bay, WA – Dublin, OH – Dublin, TX – Dragoon, AZ – Denton, TX – Durant, OK – Danville, IL – Dallas, SD – Denver, NC – Damon, TX
The E Towns: Earth, TX – Eureka Springs, AR – Elbe, WA – Easton, PA – Eldon, IA – Egg Harbor, WI – East Peoria, IL – Embro, ON – Eagle, CO – Endeavor, WI
The F Towns: Flagstaff, AZ – Friendly, WV – Friendship, AR – Flippin, AR – Fair Play, SC – Fergus Falls, MN – Feely, MT – Flippin, KY – Fly, OH – Four Way, TX – Future City, IL
The G Towns: Gainesville, TX – Gothenburg, NE – Guthrie, KY – Gregory, SD – Galata, MT – Glasgow, MT – Glasgow, KY – Gardiner, MT – Gillette, WY – Granbury, TX – Grand Forks, ND – Gravel Switch, KY – Gilboa, OH – Georgetown, TX
The H Towns: Hell, MI – Hamtramck, MI – Hamilton, ON – Hatch, NM – Hico, TX – Hopland, CA – Hoboken, NJ – Hugo, OK – Hershey, PA – Home on the Range, ND – Hamburg, IA
The I Towns: Indian Head, SK – Intercourse, PA – Ironwood, MI – Independence, MO – Idaho Falls, ID – Iona, ID – Inverness, MT – Iron River, WI
The J Towns: Jamestown, ND – Joseph, OR – Jeffersonville, IN – Juneau, AK – Jackson Hole, WY – Janesville, WI – Jackson Center, OH – Jamaica Beach, TX – Jamestown, NY
The K Towns: Kemmerer, WY – Keystone, SD – Ketchikan, AK – Kensington District, ON – Kadoka, SD – Kremlin, MT – Kirkwood, MO
The L Towns: LeClaire, IA – Lake Nebagamon, WI – Lesage, WV – LeRoy, NY – Lizard Lick, NC – Lake Jackson, TX – Lost Springs, WY – Langdon, ND
The M Towns: Mt. Horeb, WI – Meadville, PA – Metropolis, IL – Marshfield, WI – Moenave, AZ – Mystic, CT – Montrose, SD – Minot, ND – Mitchell, SD – Mapleton, ON – Medina, NY – Moose Jaw, SK – Mars, PA
The N Towns: Nicholson, PA – Nekoma, ND – Natchez, MS – Neah Bay, WA – Nauvoo, IL – Newport, OR – Newark, OH – Normal, IL – Nice, CA – New Salem, ND
The O Towns: Only, TN – Old Orchard Beach, ME – Okay, OK – Oil Springs, ON – Oak Creek, CO – Oacoma, SD – Odd, WV – Onawa, IA – Oddville, KY
The P Towns: Pella, IA – Peculiar, MO – Pierre Part, LA – Point Pleasant, WV – Paris, KY – Paris, TX – Paris, TN – Paris, ON – Port Orchard, WA – Powder River, WY – Paducah, KY – Port Gibson, MS – Palmyra, NY – Perryville, KY – Paxton, NE – Pembroke, NY – Penn Yan, NY – Ponder, TX
The Q Towns: Quincy, IL – Quartzsite, AZ – Queen City, OH (Cincinnati) – Quicksand, KY
The R Towns: Roswell, NM – Regent, ND – Rhinelander, WI – Rabbit Hash, KY – Raton, NM – Red Lodge, MT – Riverside, IA – Rugby, ND – Rudyard, MT
The S Towns: Steubenville, OH – Stanley, ID – Sedona, AZ – Santa Rosa, CA – Staunton, IL – Sisters, OR – Seymour, WI – Santa Claus, IN – Sandwich, NH – Sweet Grass, MT – Shakespeare, ON – Stratford, ON – Sikeston, MO – Success, MO – Soda Springs, ID
The T Towns: Tightwad, MO – Talent, OR – Toad Suck, AR – Thermopolis, WY – Teton Valley, ID – Tetonia, ID – Tuba City, AZ – Tornado, WV – Tavistock, ON – Tomahawk, WI – Tripp, SD – Tunica, MS – Tioga, TX – Ten Sleep, WY – Torch, OH
The U Towns: Uncertain, TX – Uncasville, CT – Upper Lake, CA – Ukiah, CA – Upton, KY
The V Towns: Vulcan, AB – Valier, MT – Vernal, UT – Vandalia, IL – Vicksburg, MS – Versailles, KY – Vincennes, IN
The W Towns: Wharton, TX – Welland, ON – Wapiti, WY – Wall, SD – Winterset, IA – Winner, SD – Walla Wall, WA – Worland, WY – Walcott, IA – Waldo, AR – West Montrose, ON
The X Towns: Xenia, OH – Lexington, KY – Cotopaxi, CO – Oxford County, ON – Texarkana, AR – Texline, TX – Rexburg, ID – Exie, KY
The Y Towns: Yampa, CO – West Yellowstone, MT – Yellville, AR – York, NE
The Z Towns: Zanesville, OH – Zelienople, PA – Zurich, MT