Every April, bloggers from all over the world participate in the April A to Z blog challenge, and you can too. It’s a lot of fun and it’s a great way to meet other bloggers. To play along, all you do is make a blog post for each letter of the alphabet during April, then visit as many other bloggers as you can.
Car art. What is it? And what is it about cars that makes someone want to create art with it. Many a travel blogger has visited sites that include car art of some sort. This particular writer is included in that group, and, in fact, is an avid seeker of car art of all forms.
Cadillac Ranch as seen from Interstate 40 west of Amarillo, Texas
Over the years I have discovered numerous “car art installations.” These are places where something was created from cars.
Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo, TexasSumoflam at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas in August 2013
Perhaps the most famous of these set just east of Amarillo, Texas. Known as “Cadillac Ranch,” it features a set of Cadillacs buried at a 45° angle in the ground going across the ground for about a quarter-mile. Fans of quirky roadside attractions have stopped by this place for many years. Nowadays you can see a different installation nearly every day as people bring spray paint cans with them and add their art to the cars. Though perhaps the most famous of all car art, it is not the only installation of its kind in this country.
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch – Staunton, IllinoisSumoflam with buried cars at Ra66it Ranch in Staunton, IL
There are others that have tried to imitate in some way shape or form the Cadillac ranch concept. Take for instance Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois. Like Cadillac Ranch, Rabbit Ranch sits on US Highway 66. There is a great deal of Route 66 paraphernalia and souvenirs available. But, they also have five or six Volkswagen rabbits buried halfway into the ground. Unlike Cadillac Ranch, they do not allow spray paint all over the cars.
VW Hare at Ra66it RanchSlugbug Ranch in Conway, TX (photo courtesy of Roadside America)
There is also a Volkswagen Bug Ranch in Conway, Texas that has a few Volkswagen bugs and some old cars buried. We visited there many many years ago and unfortunately my photographs of the place have disappeared.
But, burying cars is not the only form of car art. There is yet another practically world famous attraction made with cars in Alliance, Nebraska. Known as “Carhenge” it is probably the only Stonehenge-type of Car Art installation. Indeed, they have tried to match Stonehenge’s look and feel but with cars that have all been painted a silvery gray.
Carhenge – May 2014Carhenge in Alliance, NebraskaSumoflam at Carhenge in Alliance, NE (check out the hat!)Donating on of my “MARDUP” license plates at Carhenge. I wonder if it is hanging on the wall…Spider Volkswagen – Wolf Creek, Oregon
Others try to make cars into art in a number of fashions. On the back road trip in Oregon a few years ago I came across someone’s farm that had two big giant spiders made from a Volkswagen beetle and another car. And there are other similar “car spiders” to be found dotting places in the United States.
Spider Car – Wolf Creek, OregonOld cars in trees near Albatross, Missouri
There are also a few “car artists” that have placed their old rusted out vehicles in strategic locations so they can be seen. Take the three really old cars sitting in the midst of trees and grass. They are a little on the rusty side but still interesting. These were seen near a place called Albatross, MO.
Old Cars in Hargett, KYA couple of old cars near Hurley, WI as seen from Route 2Old Car – Nebraska City, NebraskaSwamp Thing Chevy pickup in Uncertain, TexasOld Trucks – Rio Brazos Music Hall – Granbury, Texas
Or, how about the Rio Brazos Music Hall near Granbury, TX that has some pick up trucks placed in a 45° angle at the entrance? Is this not car art?
And cars are not the only ones didn’t get to experience being turned into artwork. Also in Texas, just north of Houston in Cypress, there is a huge hamburger joint that has two big school buses that have been turned into a Canvas.
The Shack Bus – one of two at the Shack Burger Resort in Cypress, TXThe Smoke Sax – Houston, Texas (currently in storage)
In another twist, there are the car artists that literally take parts of cars and create new art from them. One was a giant saxophone made out of a Volkswagen in Houston. Unfortunately, it is currently no longer available to be seen, but I was able to grab a photo of it a few years ago.
VW Base of the Smoke SaxScrap metal buck made from car parts – Kadoka, South Dakota
In Kadoka, South Dakota, someone is taking a number of car parts and created a giant deer. And in Montana, surrounding the Blackfoot Indian reservation there are a number of Indian chiefs that have been built from car parts.
South entrance to the Blackfeet NationBlackfeet Warriors by Jay Polite Laber, in East Glacier, Montana
Finally, there is the one last piece of car art that is no longer around but really needs to be noted in this. Back a few years ago there was an iconic piece of car art that appeared in the movie Wayne’s World. Titled “Spindle,” the piece of art had eight or nine cars stuck on a spike and it was on display in a shopping center in Berwyn, Illinois. In 2015, the display was taken down to make room for a new Walgreens. Unfortunate.
“Spindle” by Dustin Shuler was in Cermak Plaza in Berwyn, Illinois until it was removed in May 2008The famed “Spindle” sculpture as seen in the movie Wayne’s World. Apparently, it wasn’t worthy. This was taken in 2007 and in 2008 it was torn down…meh
When you get out on the road, make sure to watch for Card. You’ll be glad you did!
Art Car at Melody Muffler in Walla Walla, WashingtonArt Car at Third Street Stuff – Lexington, KentuckyPart of a car hood attached to the building at Boudreau’s Antiques in Wisconsin
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
During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016
The G Towns
Gainesville, Texas
Sumoflam at Glen Goode’s Big People in Gainesville, TXGlen Goode’s Big PeopleGlen Goode’s Big People
Across this great country there are dozens of giant Muffler Men, Big Johns and Uniroyal Gals. In the 1960s these advertised Mufflers, Tires, etc. Nowadays they can be seen at state borders, at tourist spots or advertising cafes (see Blackfoot, ID in my A to Z Challenge posts as an example). I have written a post all about these giants HERE. Then there are folks like Glenn Goode (who passed away in March 2015). Known as the Fiberglass Man because of his collection of these giants, he was in the fiberglass and sandblasting business for over 44 years. On his property on Walnut Bend Road, Gainesville, he had five big fiberglass people . See my full post about his unique site in the middle of nowhere HERE.
Gothenburg, Nebraska
Gothenburg, Nebraska 2007Original Pony Express Station, Gothenburg, NESod House Museum, Gothenburg, NEBarbed Wire Indian at Sod House MuseumWorld’s Largest Hand Plow at Sod House Museum
Back in 2007 I ventured west to Washington with my son for some shows with Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours. Along the way we visited a number of states and places. One of the more unique stops along the way was in the town of Gothenburg, Nebraska. This town is apparently one of only two Gothenburgs in the entire world, the other being the famed city in Sweden. Gothenburg is probably most well known as the home of the Pony Express in Nebraska. The town has become somewhat of a tourist attraction with the Pony Express building and also the Sod House Museum, which is just off of Interstate 80 at exit 211 to the left as you go into Gothenburg. The Sod House Museum was dedicated to the settlers of this area who initially built their homes out of sod. Also at the Sod House museum are two barbed wire sculptures including an Indian and a Buffalo. Both have well over 4 miles of barbed wire in the work. See my write up about this 2007 visit HERE.
Guthrie, Kentucky
Welcome to Guthrie, KYPink Elephant in Guthrie, KYCow with Pink Sunglasses in Guthrie, KY (around the corner from a big pink elephant – see below)
Guthrie, Kentucky is located at the junction of US Highway 79 and US Highway 41 near the Tennessee Border. I ventured through here on my way to Memphis and the Blues Highway in the fall of 2014 (see a couple of other A to Z Challenge towns in earlier posts including Alligator, MS and Brownsville, TN from this same trip. Paris, TN and Paris, TX will also be included in my P Towns post.). Guthrie has its own version of a Pink Elephant (different from the one I posted about in DeForest, WI in my D Towns post). They also have a pink sunglass wearing giant cow. You can see full details of this visit and more photos HERE.
Gregory, South Dakota
Welcome to GregoryGregory Wall ArtGiant Pheasant statue in Gregory, SDGregory – Home of the Gorillas
Gregory, South Dakota is another town along the Oyate Trail. South Dakota is the pheasant capital of the U.S. and this area of the Oyate Trail is one of the centers of the pheasant hunting world (and, in Gregory there is also a Gorilla or two….). Apparently Gregory is “The Ground-zero of Pheasantdom” according to Fortune Magazine in 1992. You can read more about my visit to Gregory and see some photos of old movie theaters, interesting bars, etc., in my 2013 Oyate Trail post, which can be seen HERE.
Galata, Montana
Motel Galata on US Hwy 2 – The Hi-Line – in Galata, MontanaThe Ghost Town of Galata, Montana
Galata, Montana is one of two Montana and US Highway 2 Hi-Line towns I am including in this G Town post. Located about 23 miles east of Shelby, Montana, Galata is practically a ghost town. But the 1960s era neon sign advertising the Motel Galata is a classic. Definitely something worth looking for on a roadtrip across northern Montana.
Glasgow, Montana
US Highway 2 in eastern Montana outside of Glasgow, MontanaHangar Bar and Grill in Glasgow, MontanaWelcome to Glasgow – large metal artwork by Buck SamuelsonTrain mural in Glasgow Montana on the side of a building
On the eastern end of Montana on US Highway 2 is the town of Glasgow, Montana. A town of about 3000, it is a colorful place with all sorts of dinosaur lore. As one proceeds west on US Hwy 2 out of Glasgow, you will see dinosaurs up on the hillside. These and the other animals and sculptures (as well as the dino at the Hangar Bar) are all creations of artist Buck Samuelson, who offers them for sale. Read more about US Highway 2, the Hi-Line Drive across northern Montana HERE.
Glasgow, Kentucky
The Plaza Theatre in Glasgow, KentuckyWall Art in Glasgow, KYPainted Facade in Glasgow, KYMore Wall Art in Glasgow, KY
There are apparently 21 places in America named Glasgow that range from a tiny town in Fallen Timber County, Pennsylvania, which has 63 inhabitants, to Glasgow, Kentucky the largest of them all with a population of just over 14,000. As a Kentucky resident, I have visited many of the towns and Glasgow is unique because of its cultural depth with an amazing old Theatre and its many wall murals. Founded in 1799 by a group of Revolutionary War veterans, Glasgow boasts historic homes and buildings, the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center, downtown walking/driving tours, Barren River Lake State Resort Park and Brigadoon State Nature Preserve. The town sits at the intersection of US Highway 68 and US Highway 31.
Gardiner, Montana
Entering Gardiner, MontanaOld ghost sign in Gardiner where they claim to sell everythingSumoflam at Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner, Montana at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National ParkBuffalo in Yellowstone National Park
Montana is a huge state and so it is not a surprise that this post has three G Towns. I would be remiss if I didn’t include Gardiner, Montana, which is situated in Southwest Montana, at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The town is nestled in breath taking Paradise Valley, with the Yellowstone River running right through town. The Roosevelt Arch is the most famous structure in Gardiner. This Yellowstone Entrance, Gateway or Arch was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt on 24 April 1903. The arch is visible two miles north of Gardiner on US Highway 89. See more about my 2014 trip down Montana’s US 89 and Yellowstone HERE.
Gillette, Wyoming
Welcome to Gillette, WYLarge Wall Mural by Harvey Jackson in Gillette, WYRockpile Museum – Gillette, Wyoming
In June 2013 I made my way to Rexburg, ID and passed through Wyoming on my way to Yellowstone National Park. (I noted the Montana entrance above). On this particular trip I found my through Gillette, WY on my way to Cody and Yellowstone. Gillette is home of a few nice murals, an artist walk with a number of unique sculptures that change each year and then there is the Rockpile Museum. This Campbell County Museum focuses on general, regional, and local history with an emphasis on the culture and people of Campbell County. It was opened in 1974 at the site of the historic natural rockpile, which has been a piece of Gillette history since the 1890s. See my full report about Gillette and the drive to Cody and on to Yellowstone HERE.
Granbury, Texas
Welcome to Granbury, TexasThe County Court House in Granbury, TexasWho would stay in the Nutt House Hotel?Fossil Rim Wildlife Center near Granbury, TexasGiraffe Eye taken at Fossil Rim
The town of Granbury, Texas, south of Fort Worth, is a fun place to visit, filled with history, an old fashioned courthouse square surrounded by unique shops and some good places to eat (especially Babe’s Chicken!!). It is home to the Nutt House Hotel (crazy name eh?). Not too far down the road is the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, an amazing drive thru Wildlife Park in Glen Rose, TX (another G Town!) The current facility has grown to 1700 acres and has over 1000 animals, with 50 species of native and non-native animals, including Cheetah, Rhinoceros, Giraffe, various African antelope varieties, Zebras, Ostriches and Rheas, among many others. You can see dozens of photos of the park and also more on Granbury in my 2012 post HERE.
Grand Forks, North Dakota (Honorable Mention)
Grand Forks Smiley Water Tower
Grand Forks is another US Highway 2 town also cut through by Interstate 29. I mention it here because of its famed Smiley Water Tower, one of three or four in the US (note the Adair, IA Smiley in my A Towns post). This tower has the Smiley above and on the other side of the water tower is a Winking Smiley. You can see more photos of it and also see more about my 2014 US Highway 2 drive through North Dakota HERE.
Gravel Switch, Kentucky (Honorable mention)
Gravel Switch Community CenterGravel Switch, KYAmish Buggies in Gravel SwitchPenn’s Store SignPenn’s Privy – a famous outhouse!
With a unique name for a place, the small village of Gravel Switch, KY. grew up around a gravel quarry on a spur line of the L&N railroad around 1870. There is not much there now but a small Amish school, a Post Office, a bank and a few houses. Not far from Gravel Switch is perhaps the most famous place in the area…Penn’s Store. According to its website, “Penn’s Store is the oldest country store in America being run continuously by the same family. It has been in the Penn family since 1850.” There is a nice writeup about it here. I drove through there on a trip to Elizabethtown, KY in February 2013. See the entire post HERE.
Gilboa, Ohio (Honorable mention)
Stinky’s Country Well – Gilboa, OhioGiant Steer in Gilboa, OH. I have seen many similar ones in other places
On one of my trips back to Kentucky from Canada in 2008, I drove through the community of Gilboa, OH. Thy had a humongous steer statue and also a unique restaurant/bar called Stinky’s Country Well. Had to include Gilboa for these reasons. The town is on US Highway 224 west of Findlay, OH.
Georgetown, Texas (Honorable mention)
A mural in Georgetown that depicts some of the towns more famed buildingsStatue of Three-Legged Willie in Georgetown, TXThe distinctive Onion Dome on the San Gabriel Masonic Lodge Building in Georgetown, TX
Finally, on Interstate 35 north of Austin lies the historic town of Georgetown, Texas. I have had a couple of opportunities to visit there in the past few years and it is a unique place. The town features some of the best Victorian architecture in the state of Texas. And then, there is the story of “Three-Legged Willie” (Robert M. Williamson), the beloved Texas patriot, Ranger, lawyer, judge, newspaper editor, and Williamson County’s namesake. Known affectionately as Three-legged Willie due to the wooden leg he used following an illness when he was 15. His right leg drew up at the knee and could not support him. Thereafter, he wore a wooden leg, leaving his useless foot extended behind him. A lawyer at 19, he fought with the cavalry at the Battle of San Jacinto. An enthusiastic supporter of Texas statehood, he named one of his sons Annexus.
Did You Miss My Other A to Z Challenge Posts? Click on a letter below to see the others.
Car art. What is it? And what is it about cars that makes someone want to create art with it. Many a travel blogger has visited sites that include car art of some sort. This particular writer is included in that group, and, in fact, is an avid seeker of car art of all forms.
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