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.
Lost Springs, Wyoming (Was Population 1, now Population 4)
Visited Lost Springs, WY, Pop 1 in 2007. Went back in 2014 and it had grown 400% to Pop 4. And yes, I have a photo of that sign too!Lost Springs in 2014 – ironically I was wearing the same shirt 7 years later!!!Lost Springs Store and Post Office, Lost Springs, WY
Lake Andes, South Dakota
White Pelicans at Lake Andes in South Dakota
Lambert’s Cafe – Home of Throwed Rolls – Sikeston, Missouri
Sumoflam and wife at Lambert’s Cafe – Home of Throwed RollsLambert’s Cafe – Sikeston, Missouri – big placeThrowing Rolls at Lambert’s
Lima, Montana
Downtown Lima, Montana“Not the Hotel California” in Lima, Montana
Lexington Cemetery in Spring – Lexington, Kentucky
Spring Colors at Lexington Cemetery
Letchworth State Park – Castile, New York
Letchworth State Park, New York
Lindley Sign Post Forest – Danville, Illinois
Lindley Sign Post Forest SignLindley Sign Post Forest in Danville, IL
Lake Oswego Art Walk – Lake Oswego, Oregon
Large Skelephant, part of the Lake Oswego Art Walk
Lethbridge, Alberta
High Level Bridge in Lethbridge, Alberta was built in 1909. It is 5327 feet long and the largest of its type in the worldRic’s Grill – Restaurant in a Water Tower – Lethbridge, Alberta
Lawn Order – Nebraska City, Nebraska
Great Name for a Lawn Care Business – Lawn Order
Lincoln Mural – Lexington, Kentucky
Completed Painting on November 15, 2013
Lordsburg, New Mexico
Interstate 10 near Lordsburg, New Mexico
Leland, Mississippi – Birthplace of Kermit the Frog
Birthplace of Kermit the Frog, Leland, MSSumoflam at the “Birthplace of Kermit the Frog” in Leland, MS
Lake Wobegon Trail – Avon, Minnesota
Lake Wobegon Trail
Libby’s Pumpkin Factory – Morton, Illinois
Welcome to Morton, Illinois – Pumpkin Capital of the WorldWe missed the Morton Pumpkin Festival by only a few days.
Lookout, West Virginia
Lookout, WV Post Office
Log Cabin Motel – Ashton, Idaho
Log Cabin Motel – Ashton, Idaho
Lucy in Disguise Costumes – Austin, Texas
Lucy in Disguise, Austin, TX
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, KY as seen from across the Ohio River in IndianaLouisville BridgesDetail of Noah Church mural in Louisville. Not sure who all of these folks are…
Larry Vennard Iron Sculpture Park – Centralia, Missouri
Sumoflam and Larry Vennard at his Iron Sculpture Park in Centralia, MOLarry Vennard’s Highway “T” Rex near Centralia, MO“Dimetrodon” by Larry Vennard
Lostant, Illinois
Id the ant is lost, how do they know which direction it is?
Leif Erikson Statues – Cleveland, Ohio and Duluth, Minnesota
Statue of Leif Erikson in Cleveland, IllinoisLeif Erikson Statue in Duluth, Minnesota
Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
Welcome to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
Abraham Lincoln Statue – Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Sumoflam and Lincoln in Jackson Hole
Leaning Tree Cafe – Babb, Montana
Leaning Tree Cafe, Babb, MontanaKade and Charlie, with their Dad Aaron at Leaning Tree Cafe in Babb, MT at the base of Glacier National Park – March 2013
Laboratory, Pennsylvania
Community Honor Roll for Veterans in Laboratory, PA
Large Wooden Trolls – Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin
One of dozens of HUGE trolls in Mt. Horeb, WisconsinAhhh..trolls
Welcome to Louisiana
Welcome to Louisiana on US Hwy 61
Laughing Ladies Cafe – Salida, Colorado
Laughing Ladies Cafe – Salida, Colorado – love the name and the sign
Langdon Wind Energy Center – Langdon, North Dakota
Langdon Wind Farm Info Center near Langdon, NDSilo and Wind Turbine near Nekoma, ND
Little Big Horn National Monument – Crow Agency, Montana
Grave markers of the US Calvary Soldiers that died at the Battle of Little Big Horn in Little Big Horn National Monument in Montana
Lizard Lick, North Carolina
Lizard Lick, North CarolinaLizard Lick Towing mural on sign outside of towing placeLizard Lick lizard on top of gas station
Lucille Ball Birthplace – Jamestown, New York
Lucille Ball BirthplaceJamestown Banner advertising Lucille Ball Festival
Landry and Lombardi – NFL Coaching Icons – Dallas, Texas and Green Bay, Wisconsin
Legendary Dallas Cowboy Coach Tom Landry (At Cowboys Stadium)Legendary Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardi (At Lambeau Field)
Longaberger Baskets – Newark, Ohio
Amaree, Solomon and Seth at Longaberger Basket HQ in Newark, OH Fall 1999
Lynn’s Paradise Cafe – Louisville, Kentucky
Unfortunately, this place closed down around 2010 or so.
Sumoflam at Lynn’s Paradise CafeLegs on walls at Lynn’s Paradise Cafe
Lovesick Falls – Ontario, Canada
Lovesick Falls in Ontario
Little Italy – Cleveland, Ohio
Little Italy Historic District in ClevelandMayfield Road and Random Road, by the little park in Little Italy
Lopatapillar – Butterfly House – Chesterfield, Missouri
Grandkids play on the 30 foot long “Lopatapillar”, created by artist Bob Cassilly at the Butterfly House in Chesterfield, Missouri
Logan’s Shoe Shop Neon Sign – Denton, Texas
Logan’s Shoe Shop Neon, Denton, TX
Lusk, Wyoming
US 20 East out of Lusk, WYOld Lusk Drive-In Theatre MarqueeCovered Wagon Motel in Lusk, Wyoming
Little River Cafe – Oregonia, Ohio
The Little River Cafe in Oregonia, OH is most easily reached by bike. It is literally on the side of the trail. The road to Oregonia is way out of the way.
Troy Landry – Swamp People icon – Pierre Part, Louisiana
Sumoflam and Troy Landry from Swamp People
LSA Burger Company – Denton, Texas
LSA Burger Company Neon, Denton, TXTexas Instruments, a unique sculpture at the LSA Burger Co., in DentonAlbum Counter at LSA Burger Co.
Lewistown, Montana
Golden Statue of Liberty in Lewistown, MontanaDeer grazing in the snow in Lewistown, MontanaEagle I saw when driving by Lewistown, Montana (my very first Bald Eagle sighting/photo)
Lund Theatre – Viborg, South Dakota
Lund Theatre – Viborg, South Dakota
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.
Gronk’s Grill and Bar – Superior, Wisconsin
Gronk’s Grill and Bar in Superior, WIThe fickle finger of fate at the entrance of Gronks in Superior, WI
Gettysburg National Battlefield – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Sons Seth and Solomon at the Gettysburg Museum, July 4 1998
Glacier Bay National Park – Gustavus, Alaska
Purple Mountain Majesties – near Glacier Bay, AlaskaOn Glacier Bay in Alaska in 2004
Galata Motel Neon – Galata, Montana
Motel Galata on US Hwy 2 – The Hi-Line – in Galata, Montana
The Great Texas Supper Mural at LSA Burger Co, in Denton, TX
Giant Baseball Bat – Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville Slugger Museum in Louisville
Grand Teton National Park – Driggs, Idaho
Grand Tetons as seen from Driggs, Idaho
Gnaw Bone, Indiana
A place called Gnaw Bone in Indiana
Grave Creek Mound – Moundsville, West Virginia
Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville, WV
Grand Trunk Railway – Caledonia, Ontario
Caledonia and Grand Trunk Railway
Grizz Works – Maple, Wisconsin
Sumoflam and Justin Howland at Grizz Works in Maple, WI. Giant Grizzly is amazing! He makes yard art
Gol Stave Church – Minot, North Dakota
Sumoflam at the replica of the Gol Stave Church in Minot, ND
Grand Canyon – Grand Canyon, Arizona
Visiting the Grand Canyon in 1983
Great Falls of the Missouri – Great Falls, Montana
Great Falls of the Missouri in Great Falls, MT
Graceland – Memphis, Tennessee
Going to Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee January 2001
Galveston, Texas
Sumoflam enjoying the beach in Galveston
Geese in Flight – Enchanted Highway – Dickinson, North Dakota
“Geese in Flight” – Stop #1 on Enchanted Highway. Off of I-94, Exit 72
Winking Smiley Water Tower – Grand Forks, North Dakota
Winking Smiley on backside of Water Tower in Grand Forks, ND
Gates of the Mountains – near Helena, Montana
Man and Dog with Gates of the Mountains
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.
On January 1, 2017 I sat on a beach in Ocean City, Maryland to watch a spectacular sunrise and pondered to myself about the opportunities I would have to travel throughout the year. Little did I really know the extent that I would actually contact a mini bus rental in Chicago and travel over the year and I’m grateful that I’ve had a wonderful year of seeing more of this beautiful country.
Oddville, Kentucky
Beginning with that glorious morning in Maryland, over the course of the year I have driven nearly 15,000 miles on road trips, many to visit family or be with family, but all of the trips have been wonderful. Some have been close by doing what I refer to as “staycation“ trips in Kentucky. But, throughout the course of the year I have been to 19 different states and have seen a plethora of places and things. Many of the trips included time with my wife, my children and my grandchildren. That makes things so much better and enjoyable!
Welcome to Louisiana with some of my grandchildrenAll the family gathered at my sister’s Mayfield Smoke Shop in Little Italy, Cleveland
In July we had a family reunion. It was the first in five years and all of my 10 grandchildren and all my five children were here at one time or another and even my sister and her husband and daughter came up to visit. During that time we also visited my extended family in Cleveland, Ohio. So, travel was not the only joyful thing. Family is the best.
The following photos tell just a small story of the past year. I have already posted some of the things in more detail and have five or six others in the works about specific places. But here are just some of the places and things form this past year. ENJOY THE RIDE!
Giant Pepsi Pop Bottle Cap in Johnson City, TNHuge snowman in Lewisburg, WVWelcome to Hopkinsville, KY for the Solar EclipseChunky, MississippiRan into a HUGE flock of migrating snow geese in central ArkansasWest, TexasThe swamp of Caddo Lake near Uncertain, TXThe Gator Chateau in Jennings, LAA place called Gnaw Bone in IndianaChicago LIVE in Cincinnati. First time I had seen them in over 40 yearsGiant Indian Chief “Standing Brave” in Big Cabin, OKDuck Commander HQ, home of Duck Dynasty in West Monroe, LAWest Virginia’s Capitol Building in Charleston, WVOne of over 50 waterfals in Watkins Glen State Park, NYTallest wall mural in US “Once in a Millenium Moon” is 14 stories tall…in Shreveport, LAChief Wacinton in Paducah, KY was one of three Peter Toth Whispering Giants I visited this year.Forest, Mississippi Fire DepartmentThe New River Gorge Bridge in West VirginiaPittsburgh, PA at nightChief Little Owl, one of three Peter Toth Whispering Giants. This one is in Bethany Beach, DelawareKing’s Island Amusement Park north of Cincinnati, OHVillage of Story, INPost Office in Happy, KYThe Shack Burger Resort – amazingly quirky and fun – in Cypress, TXCaught the Sand Hill Migration in early January near Cecilia, KYThe Indian River Inlet Bridge between Maryland and DelawareThe Happy Bible Church in Happy, KYA section of the Virginia Creeper Trail near Damascus, VABig Monster at Big Mike’s Rock shop near Cave City, KYGenesee Falls at Letchworth State Park, near Castile, New YorkThe Inlet Indian, dedicated to the Assateague tribe, is in Ocean City, MD and is one of three of Peter Toth’s Whispering Giants visited in 2017Capitol Building in Indianapolis, INBig Stone Gap, VAPal’s Sudden Service in Bristol, TNFound a Canadian in OklahomaThe CastlePost Castle near Versailles, KYFound a nice beach on Lake Erie… Presque Isle State ParkBig Paul Bunyan in Nitro, WVHanging with Grandkids at Wigwam Village in Cave City, KYThe “diamond ring” effect begins as seen from Hopkinsville, KYLarge Saturn Rocket at Welcome Center in Elkmont, AlabamaMammy’s Cupboard in Natchez, MSHistoric Downtown Cairo, ILFall Colors over the Red River Gorge in KentuckyMagnolia Market at the Silos in Waco, TX (Home of the TV Show Fixer Upper)We slept in Wigwam Village in Cave City, KYCathedral Falls in Gauley Bridge, WVDeer at sunrise in Shenandoah National Park on Easter Morning 2017Bald Eagle shot taken in mid April 2017 near Cave Run Lake, KYA place called Donkey in VirginiaWaveland State Historic Park in Lexington, KYSuperman central in Metropolis, ILWelcome to MissouriThe Hobbit Hole – a unique and quirky shop in Fayetteville, WVPop’s BBQ in Morehead, KYSays it all – Cleveland, OHBob Evans Farm HQ – New Albany, OHLouisville BridgesWelcome Sign in IndianapolisEaster Sunrise as seen from Shenandoah National Park
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.
