Vintage Neon Everywhere

Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, South Dakota, States and Provinces, Tennessee, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
[caption id="attachment_6800" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Old Mojo Gas Sign - Rock Springs, Wyoming[/caption] Everywhere I go I see old neon.  These signs remind me of the my youthful days in the 1960s and 70s when we traveled.  Alas, for many, the only signs they see are the same unoriginal fast food, gas station and motel chain signs all over the place.  But, in the by gone days there were few McDonald's and Motel 6 spots.  Instead, there were the little cozy motels with the old metal chairs in the front and the unique neon signs.  There were the local burger joints with their big shiny signs.  And there were the drive in movie theaters and the downtown theatres with their unique names.  Here is a trip down memory lane with neon…
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A 5 Day Midwest Adventure – Day 1: Lexington, KY to Walcott, IA

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Large Statues, Roadside Attractions, States and Provinces, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Yard Art
[caption id="attachment_5990" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Danville, Illinois[/caption] On September 9, 2013 I had the opportunity to accompany my daughter and three grand kids on a an adventure across the midwest from Kentucky to Omaha, Nebraska.  She wanted to visit her close friend there and needed a "tour planner and driver."  I was free and able to make the journey.  All totaled, we spent 5 days on the road visiting spots in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri.  This post covers our adventures on Day 1 as we made our way to Walcott, Iowa, home of the World's Largest Truck Stop. View Larger Map - Lexington, KY to Walcott, IA We left plenty early so that we could hit Indianapolis by early morning with the intent to surprise the three grand kids…
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Road Trip Home from Idaho – Day 5: Des Moines, IA to Springfield, IL – Dutch, American Pickers and Cozy Dogs

Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Ghost Signs, Illinois, Iowa, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, Selfies, States and Provinces, Street Art, Television Shows, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Yard Art
Antique Archaeology[/caption] April 3, 2013: Yet another day on the road home as Julianne and I take our time to see a few of the sites on the way.  This day we drove from Des Moines to a couple places in Iowa and eventually into Illinois. Here is our route: View Larger Map - Des Moines, IA to Springfield, MO First thing we did was head to Pella, Iowa, which is not too far from Des Moines.  Pella prides itself as being a "Touch of Holland" and indeed is very Dutch.  Home of the largest working Dutch windmill in the United States.  Pella was originally settled in 1847 by about 800 Dutch immigrants.  They named the town Pella, which in Dutch means City of Refuge, due to the fact that…
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