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.
The Nutt House Hotel – Granbury, Texas
Who would stay in the Nutt House Hotel?
Nice, California
We all know who is really Nice! Nice, CA
New River Gorge – Victor, West Virginia
A view of the New River Gorge in West Virginia taken in 1995New River Gorge Bridge – One of the largest Arch bridges in the United States
Neah Bay, Washington
At Neah Bay in the northwesternmost corner of the contiguous United States in 2015Looking out at Wa’atch Point, which is a cape off the northwestern peninsula near Neah Bay
Nashville, Indiana
One of the many kitschy shops in Nashville, Indiana. Really a fun place to visit
Not the Hotel California – Lima, Montana
“Not the Hotel California” in Lima, MontanaNo Steaks and Burgers at this place in Lima, Montana
Tuckhannock Viaduct – Nicholson, PennsylvaniaThe viaduct is dizzying when looking up from below
Nekoma Pyramid – Nekoma, North Dakota
The Pyramid in Nekoma, NDSumoflam and MSR Pyramid in Nekoma, ND
Nada Tunnel – Slade, Kentucky
The rough hewn stone Nada tunnel near Slade, Kentucky
Niagara Falls – Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls, OntarioNiagara Falls
Novelty, Ohio
I found Novelty in OhioNovelty Post Office
Normal, Illinois
Am I Normal? Who knows?A Normal Water Tower
Nikko Shrine – Nikko, Japan
Perhaps the best “old shrine” in Japan, Nikko has been around for centuries. This is north of Tokyo. I visited Nikko in 1990.The colorful pagoda in Nikko
National Mustard Museum – Middleton, Wisconsin
National Mustard Museum Sign, Middleton, WIPoupon U Degree from the Mustard Museum – I got my MBA (Master of Bad Attitude)
North Bend Rail Trail – Cairo, West Virginia
My wife Julianne and her sister Laura at the North Bend Rail Trail HQ in Cairo, WV
Naches Tavern – Greenwater, Washington
Naches Tavern in Greenwater, WA (featuring Bigfoot!)Dollar Bills on the walls at Naches Tavern
Newport, Oregon
Giant Mural on outside of Mo’s in Newport, OregonMo’s Seafood – Newport, Oregon
Salem Sue – New Salem, North Dakota
Salem Sue Sign in New Salem, NDSalem Sue in New Salem, ND – the World’s Largest Holstein Cow (Yes, that’s Sumoflam under the Udders)
Northside Murals – Cincinnati, Ohio
Large Mural on side of building representing the Northside districtTall mural on side of a building in Cincinnati’s Northside
Nagasaki, Japan
Remains from A-Bomb in Nagasaki in 1988Japans second most famous China Town (Tokyo’s is first). This one is located in Nagasaki
JJ’s Cafe – Newell, South Dakota
J J’s Cafe in Newell, SDSign at the door of TJ’s Cafe in Newell, SD. Bear in mind this is sheep country.
Nitro, West Virginia
Nitro WW I museum – Nitro, WVBig Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox in Nitro, WV
Nolan Ryan Statue – Alvin, Texas
Sumoflam with Nolan Ryan in Alvin, TXWelcome to Alvin, Texas, hometown of Nolan Ryan
New Orleans, Louisiana
Bourbon Street in New Orleans in 2011
Nebraska City, Nebraska
Sapp’s Coffee Pot Water Tower in Nebraska CityArbor Day Farm Tree Adventure – Nebraska City, NebraskaDowntown Nebraska City
Nauvoo, Illinois
The completed LDS Nauvoo Temple in 2002
The Jay Vintage Neon – Needville, Texas
The Jay Cafe in Needville, Texas. Vintage neon sign
Mark Twain Statue – New London, Missouri
Mark Twain Statue in New London, Missouri
Willie Nelson Shrine – LSA Burgers – Denton, Texas
Willie Nelson Shrine at LSA Burger Co. in Denton, TXWillie Nelson Portrait above his shrine
Nanobozho Muffler Man – Bemidji, Minnesota
Nanobozho, Muffler Man Indian in Bemidji, MN
Number Hill – Arco, Idaho
Number Hill – Arco, ID
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.
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