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.
Judy Garland Birthplace – Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Sumoflam at Judy Garland birthplace in Grand Rapids, MNJudy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, MN
Jakeman’s Maple Syrup – Beachville, Ontario
Jakeman’s Maple Products – Beachville, OntarioJakeman’s Sign
Jackalopes Everywhere – Superior, Wisconsin; Wall, South Dakota; Douglas, Wyoming; Fort Worth, Texas
Jackalope CrossingA cuddly Jackalope at Wall Drug, SDA Jackalope Bird or something at Gronk’s in Superior, WisconsinDouglas, Wyoming JackalopeJackalope on top of a car dealership in Ft. Worth, TX
Jungle Jim’s Restroom – Cincinnati, Ohio
Jungle Jim’s Restroom entrances are deceptive. They actually lead to immaculate huge restrooms.
Jimmy’s Ice Cream – Waldo, Arkansas
Jimmy’s Ice Cream – Waldo, Arkansas
Jolly, Texas
Jolly, TexasI am being Jolly – I think
Juke Boxes – Mel’s Diner – San Francisco, California
Rockola Juke Boxes line the store and fill it with 50s and 60s music
Jerry Siegel / Joe Schuster – Creators of Superman – Cleveland, Ohio
Story of Superman at Joe Shuster’s former homeSuperman Street signs at the corner of Kimberley and Parkwood in Cleveland – Jerry Siegel Lane and Lois LaneA plaque in front of the Jerry Siegel house gives the history of his work.Action Comics blowups at Joe Schuster HomeAmor St. has become Joe Shuster Lane. It too is on Parkwood (known also as Lois Lane)
James Frank Kotera – JFK The Twine Ball Man – Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin
James Frank Kotera – JFK – The Twine Ball Man of Lake Nebagamon, WI
Jumbo the Elephant Statue – St. Thomas, Ontario
Sumoflam with Jumbo in 2008
JELL-O Museum – Le Roy, New York
JELL-O Museum in LeRoy, New YorkHead shot of JELL-O Cow in Leroy, NY
Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk – Riverside, Iowa
Future Birthplace of James T. Kirk in Riverside, IA
Jurustic Park – Marshfield, Wisconsin
Another of the premiere roadside attractions in America!!
Jurustic Park – Marshfield, Wisconsin20 foot tall Jurustic Park dragon in Marshfield, WIJurustic Park
J.C. Penney Mother Store – Kemmerer, Wyoming
Where it all started
J.C. Penney Mother Store
Jesus in Cowboy Boots – Evergreen Cemetery – Paris, Texas
The famed “Jesus in Cowboy Boots” monument at Evergreen Cemetery in Paris, TX
Jolly Green Giant – Blue Earth, Minnesota
Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, MN
Jerusalem Rocks – Sweetgrass, Montana
Jerusalem Rocks near Sweetgrass, MontanaJerusalem Rocks near SweetgrassSumoflam at Jerusalem Rocks in December 2012
One of the Jelly Belly WallsSCORE! Tabasco flavored Jelly Belly candies!! How exciting!
John Wayne House – Winterset, Iowa
Birthplace of John Wayne, Winterset, IowaJohn Wayne Drive, Winterset, Iowa
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Welcome to JeffersonvilleThe Howard House – one of 12 floodwall murals in Jeffersonville
Three Jamestowns – Jamestown, New York; Jamestown, North Dakota; Jamestown, Virginia
Large Lucy Mural in Jamestown, NY painted by Gary Peters Jr. and Gary Peters Sr.Lucy Desi Museum – Jamestown, NYFrontier Village, an old-timey Western Village in Jamestown, NDWorld’s Largest Buffalo in Jamestown, NDMy sons Seth and Sol on deck of one of the ships in Jamestown, VA in August 1995Kids in the Jamestown Settlement in August 1995
Joplin, Montana
Joplin, Montana…Biggest Little Town on Earth
James Garfield Monument – Lake View Cemetery – Cleveland, Ohio
James Garfield Statue inside Garfield MonumentThe James Garfield Memorial at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland
Jackalope Capital of the World – Douglas, Wyoming
Get your Jackalope Hunting License Here
My Official Jackalope Hunting License from Douglas, WYNew Douglas Chamber of Commerce Logo with a JackalopeLarge Jackalope – Douglas, WYKissing the Jackalope goodbye
Joseph Smith Cabin – Palmyra, New York
LDS Church founder Joseph Smith’s Cabin in Palmyra, NY
Big Jud’s Gourmet Burgers – Rexburg, Idaho
Big Jud’s Gourmet Burgers, Rexburg, IDTotal indulgence in a Big Jud’s “small” burger
Jaarsma Bakery – Pella, Iowa
Jaarsma Bakery – Pella, IowaYummy Dutch Goodies at Jaarsma Bakery
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Welcome to Jackson, Wyoming!!Jackson, Wyoming and Ski SlopeAntler Arch of Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Joe Mama’s Fine Italian – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Joe Mama’s Fine Italian Restaurant
Jacobson Park – Lexington, Kentucky
My Happy Place
Lovely parhelion (sun dog) over Jacobson Lake in December 2016Winter sunrise at Jacobson ParkFall at Jacobson Park
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.
Elk Bar and Good Food – Chinook, Montana
I love old neon signs!!
Elk Bar and Good Food – Chinook, Montana
End of Trail Motel – Broken Bow, OK
More good old neon
End of Trail Motel Neon sign in Broken Bow, OK
End of The Trail – Dawkins Rail Trail – Hager Hill, KY
End of Dawkins Line Rail Trail near Hager Hill, KY
Elvis Statue – Memphis, Tennessee
A shot with Elvis in Memphis
Earth, Texas
Welcome to Earth, TexasYes, there is Earth Police
Eagles – The Living Kind – Lexington, Kentucky; Cave Run Lake, Kentucky; Lewistown, Montana
Eagle at Jacobson Park, Lexington, KentuckyEagle I saw when driving by Lewistown, MontanaEagle taken at Minor E. Clark Fish Hatchery near Cave Run Lake, Kentucky
Eclipesville USA – Hopkinsville, Kentucky & Cadiz, Kentucky
Three of my grandchildren at the Eclipseville Photo Board (courtesy of Marissa Noe)Catching the Solar Eclipse in Cadiz, KYThe “diamond ring” effect begins as seen from Cadiz, KY
Ehlenbach Cheese Chalet – DeForest, Wisconsin
One of the two murals that decorate the outside of Ehlenbach’s Cheese Chalet
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Palace Hotel – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Echo Lake – Mount Evans, Colorado
Sitting on top of the world at Echo Lake near the base of the summit of Mt. Evans near Denver, Colorado
Elephant Buttes – Tuba City, Arizona
Elephant Buttes east of Tuba City on US 180
Eskimo Pie – Onawa, Iowa
Onawa, Iowa, Home of the Eskimo Pie
Elbe, Washington
Small Elbe Church in Elbe, WA
El Kapp Motel – Raton, New Mexico
More great neon
El Kapp Motel in Raton, NM
Eiheiji Temple – Fukui, Japan
Main gate to Eiheiji. Note the monk walking across. He was barefoot. (ca 1976).
Easy Street – Port Orchard, Washington
Easy Street, Port Orchard
Eiffel Towers of Paris, Texas and Paris, Tennessee
These two compete for the tallest – Paris, Texas added a cowboy hat to make theirs tallest.
Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tennessee is 60 feet tallThe Paris, Texas Eiffel Tower with a Cowboy Hat on top
Erie Canal – Medina, New York
Culvert Road Tunnel under Erie Canal
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
Welcome to Egg Harbor, WI
Lake Eufala, Oklahoma
Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma
Egrets – Lexington, Kentucky; Cave Run Lake, Kentucky; Uncertain, Texas
Egret flies off at Jacobson Park in Lexington, KYA Great Egret relaxes in the swamp near Uncertain, TexasEgret taking a walk along a pond at the Minor E. Clark Fish Hatchery near Cave Run Lake, KY
Empire State Building – New York City
Empire State Building – as seen from Hoboken, New Jersey
Enchanted Highway – Regent, North Dakota
Enchanted Highway in North DakotaSumoflam on the Enchanted Highway near Regent, ND
Everglades National Park – Florida
Sumoflam at the Everglades in Florida in July 1990
Enjoy the Ride
My Travel Theme!
Sumoflam – Enjoy the Ride
Eagle Art from All Over: Kingston, Washington; Cut Bank, Montana; Joseph, Oregon; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Oglesby, Illinois;
Found this eagle in Kingston, WashingtonBig mural in Cut Bank, MontanaEagle statue in Joseph, OregonLarge eagle sculpture in Idaho Falls, IdahoWooden carved eagle at Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby, IllinoisEagle in Utica, IllinoisMore eagles at Starved Rock State Park
Embro, Ontario
Embro, Ontario, home of the Highland Games
Eighty Four, Pennsylvania
Eighty Four, PA Post OfficeWelcome to 84 Country – Eighty Four , PA
Elk Photos – Elkton, Oregon; Yellowstone National Park; Sugar City, Idaho
An Elk Bull near Elkton, OregonA solitary elk bull relaxes in the meadow at YellowstoneElk Bull in Sugar City, Idaho
Euclid, Ohio
Welcome to Euclid
Elliston Place Diner – Nashville, Tennessee
At Nashville’s oldest eatery – Elliston Place Diner – Featured in Antsy McClain’s video
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