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.
Sunset Motel – Belle Fourche, South Dakota
Great little place in the geographic center of the continental US!Always like places with these old keys!
Spider Volkswagen – Wolf Creek, Oregon
Spider Volkswagen – Wolf Creek, Oregon
Sandwich, New Hampshire
WARNING: They do not have a place to get a sandwich in Sandwich. No Joke!
Sandwich, New Hampshire – Cool little village as long as you don’t want to find a sandwichSignposts in Sandwich, NH. No restaurants!
Story Inn – Story, Indiana
Sumoflam at the Story Inn in Story, INThe nice old wooden floors of the Story Inn dining areaAntique Checkerboard on the Story Inn front porch. Checkers are actually old pop bottle caps
San Xavier del Bac – Tucson, Arizona
Old Church “San Xavier del Bac” in TucsonMeditation – San Xavier del Bac, Tucson, Arizona
Success, Missouri
Finding Success in Missouri
Shoshoni, Wyoming
The seemingly run down business section of Shoshoni, WYOld Motel Neon sign in Shoshoni, WY
Space Aliens Grill & Bar – Waite Park, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota
Space Aliens Grill & Bar – Waite Park, MNSumoflam with an Alienized Smile at Space AliensSpace Aliens Grill & Bar, Fargo, ND
Screaming Heads – Burk’s Falls, Ontario
Screaming Heads. Canadian secondary school teacher Peter Camani created these spooky yet fascinating landscape artwork. Since the mid-1970s besides being a teacher, he has built these massive structures and amazing castle.Sumoflam at Screaming Heads in Burk’s Falls, OntarioScreaming Heads – Burk’s Falls, Ontario
Spud Drive-In – Teton Valley, Idaho
The Spud Drive-In – Teton Valley, IdahoThe Spud sign – Teton Valley, ID
Sandhill Cranes – Barren River Lake, Kentucky; Cecilia, Kentucky; Dell, Montana
Sandhill Cranes take flight1000s of sandhill cranes converge on a field near Cecilia, KYSandhill Cranes near Red Rock Ranch in Dell, MontanaA pair of Sandhill Cranes at sunset near Cecilia, KY
Stone Mountain – Stone Mountain, Georgia
Stone Mountain, GA in 2015
Scary Creek, West Virginia
Scary Creek Church of God signScary Creek Paintball billboard
Silver Saddle Motel – Manitou Springs, Colorado
Silver Saddle Motel – Manitou Springs, CO
Sapp Brothers – Nebraska City, Nebraska; Council Bluffs, Iowa
Sapp’s Coffee Pot Water Tower in Nebraska CitySapp Brothers Water Tower in Council Bluffs, IA
Solomon, Kansas
US Post Office, Solomon, KansasSolomon Water Tower
Shipwrecked Brew Pub – Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
Ahoy matey…how about some lunch at the Shipwrecked Brew Pub in Egg Harbor, WI
Suizenji Park – Kumamoto, Japan
Enjoying a visit to the famed Suizenji Park in Kumamoto
Spar Cafe – Olympia, Washington
Spar Cafe – Olympia, WAInside the Spar Cafe in Olympia
Salida, Colorado
Salida, ColoradoOdd metal buffalo in Salida, Colorado
Seth, West Virginia
Seth, West Virginia
Sam Houston Statue – Huntsville, Texas
77 Foot Tall Sam Houston Statue in Huntsville, TexasSumoflam with Big Sam Houston towering behind him in Huntsville, TX
Star Trek Places – Vulcan, Alberta; Riverside, Iowa
Sol and Sumoflam live long and prosper with the Starship Enterprise in Vulcan, Alberta Sept 2007Live Long and Prosper – Sumoflam and the Starship Riverside
Seagull with clam in Port OrchardA flock of seagulls on the deck of the Hyak in Puget Sound, WAA couple of seagulls “converse” as they enjoy the view over a lake in Ashland, WisconsinSeagull in flight in Gulf of Mexico near Galveston, TexasA closeup shot of a seagull taken on Bremerton Ferry while crossing the Puget Sound in Washington
Chief Standing Brave – Big Cabin, Oklahoma
Giant Indian Chief “Standing Brave” in Big Cabin, OK
Spindle (Cars on a Spike) – Cermak Plaza – Berwyn, Illinois
As seen in the movie Wayne’s World – sadly, no longer around
The 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
Smiley Water Towers – Adair, Iowa; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Beloit, Wisconsin; Cedar Creek, Texas; Smiley, Texas
Smiley Water Tower in Adair, IowaWinking Smiley on backside of Water Tower in Grand Forks, NDBeloit, WI Smiley Water TowerSmiley Water Tower – Cedar Creek, Texas
And finally…one without a Smiley Face….
A Smiley Water Tower without a Smiley Face…Smiley, Texas
Seattle as seen from a boat in the Puget SoundWelcome to the Seattle WaterfrontSeattle’s famed “Great Wheel”
Shenandoah National Park – Luray, Virginia
Visiting Shenandoah National Park on Easter Sunday 2017Easter Sunrise as seen from Shenandoah National ParkHills of Shenandoah Valley in presunrise hours on Easter 2017
Skeletons on the Highways – Port Orchard, Washington; San Francisco, California; Montrose, South Dakota; Murdo, South Dakota
Closeup of the Biker Skeleton at Bethel Saloon in Port Orchard, WAA skeleton pirate guards the entrance to a shop in Fisherman’s WharfA skeleton keeping guard at Porter’s Sculpture Park in Montrose, SDSkeleton Walking Dinosaur near Murdo, South DakotaCloseup of Murdo Skeleton
Sorehead Cafe – Rudyard, Montana
The Sorehead Cafe – Rudyard, Montana
Stoneville Saloon – Alzada, Montana
Stoneville Saloon in Alzada, MT taken in June 2005Stoneville Saloon – Cheap Drinks – Lousy FoodCanned Delicacies at Stoneville Saloon – Alzada, Montana
Saketumi Restaurant – Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Japanese food at the Saketumi Asian Bistro in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Stoner Drug – Hamburg, Iowa
Stoner Drug in Hamburg, IAThe old fashioned soda fountain inside of Stoner Drug
Sawtooth Mountains – Stanley, Idaho
Sawtooth Scenic Byway in IdahoJagged Sawtooths near Stanley, IDSawtooth Range as seen from Galena Overlook
Sod House Museum – Gothenburg, Nebraska
Sod House Museum, Gothenburg, NEBarbed Wire Indian Chief and Horse – Sod House Museum – Gothenburg, Nebraska
A bit of Superman – Metropolis, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Ashland, Wisconsin
Superman Mural in Metropolis, ILAt the house that used to be the home of Jerry Siegel, the Creator of the Superman stories. This is in Cleveland, OhioSuperman is hung forever on the side of Boudreau’s antiques…saving a little doll?Sumoflam and the 12 foot tall bronze Superman in Metropolis (not fiberglass, but a neighbor to Big John)
Sheep Capital of America – Newell, South Dakota
Livestock Sign – Newell, SDSign at the door of TJ’s Cafe in Newell, SD. Bear in mind this is sheep country.
Welcome to Shelby, MSColorful buildings of Shelby, MSDaniel’s Snack Shack, Shelby, MS
Sedona, Arizona
Agave in Sedona, ArizonaChapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, AZOak Creek runs by the famed Cathedral Rock in Sedona, AZ
Stinky’s Country Well – Gilboa, Ohio
Stinky’s Sign – Gilboa, OhioStinky’s Country Well – Gilboa, Ohio
Showmen’s Rest Cemetery – Hugo, Oklahoma
Showmen’s Rest in Hugo’s Mt. Olivet CemeterySumoflam with an Elephant Headstone at Showmen’s RestA final view of Showmen’s Rest
Santa Claus, Indiana
Santa Claus Welcome SignA Santa Selfie at Santa Claus Post OfficeSanta Claus Police
Scandinavian Heritage Museum – Minot, North Dakota
The Gol Stave Church replica and museum at the Scandinavian Heritage Center in Minot, NDThe 30 foot tall Dala Horse at the Scandinavian Heritage Center in Minot
Sparta House – Sparta, Ontario
Sparta House Tearoom – Sparta, Ontario
Scotty’s Hamburgers – Idaho Falls, Idaho
Scotty’s Hamburgers – Idaho Falls, Idaho
Severed Head Trading Post – Perryville, Kentucky
Severed Head Trading Post – Perryville, Kentucky
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway – Nebraska
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway on Nebraska Hwy 2Nebraska Highway 2 Sandhills JourneySunset over Beem Lake in the Sandhills of Nebraska…
Seabrook, New Hampshire
Sign Post in Seabrook, NHWelcome to New Hampshire! US State #48 for me.
Schroeder’s Drive-In – Danville, Illinois
Schroeder’s Drive-In – Danville, Illinois
Shakespeare, Ontario
Welcome to ShakespeareAntique Shops in Shakespeare
Steubenville, Ohio
Welcome to Steubenville, OHMarket Street by Michael Wojczuk. This was the first mural painted in SteubenvilleSumoflam and Dino in Steubenville
Swedesburg, Iowa
Welcome to SwedesburgThe famous Straw Goat from Swedesburg.Caution – Swedish Crossing in Swedesburg, IA
Sam Black Church, West Virginia
Sam Black Church in Sam Black Church, WVSam Black Church historical Marker
Sunset Crater National Monument – Flagstaff, Arizona
Family at Sunset Crater National Monument north of Flagstaff in July 1993
Silver Dollar Saloon – Leadville, Colorado
Silver Dollar Saloon storefront – Leadville, 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.
Mystic Pizza – Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic Pizza in Mystic, CT with my sweet wife
Moon Township, PA
Township of Moon, PA
Muscovy Duck – Damascus, Virginia
A unique Muscovy duck in the river in Damascus
Mammy’s Cupboard – Natchez, Mississippi
Mammy’s Cupboard in Natchez, MSMammy’s Cupboard Dining Room – Much bigger than it looks on the outside
Mail Pouch Barns – Brinkhaven, Ohio; Friendly, West Virginia; Hargett, Kentucky
Mail Pouch Barn in Brinkhaven, OHMail Pouch Barn in Friendly, WVA rare Mail Pouch barn sighting in Hargett, KY
Billy Tripp’s Mindfield – Brownsville, Tennessee
Sumoflam at Tripp’s Mindfield Cemetery in Brownsville, TNA portion of the Mindfield Cemetery in Brownsville, TNMindfield Cemetery, Brownsville, Tennessee
Mr. Roger’s T-Rex Statue – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mr. Rogers T-Rex
Mountain Bluebird – The Badlands National Park, South Dakota
A Mountain Bluebird perched on a fencepost in the Badlands
Mac the Moose – Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Mac the Moose in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Monument Valley – Utah
Monument Valley, UtahEnjoying the splendor of Monument Valley in southern Utah and Northern Arizona around 1983
Monongahela Incline – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Welcome to the Monongahela InclineMonongahela Incline going upMonongahela Incline in Pittsburgh
Maid of the Mist – Niagara Falls, Ontario
The Maid of the Mist at the bottom of Niagara Falls filled with tourists
Melt Eclectic Cafe – Cincinnati, Ohio
Melt in CincinnatiMelt Cafe
Metal Green Bay Packer – Pagac’s Bar – Ashland, Wisconsin
Robotic scrap metal quarterback. The guy in the bar said you can plug it in and it actually moves!
Mayan Ruins – Tulum, Mexico
Enjoying a visit to the Tulum Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico
Midlothian Castle – Burk’s Falls, Ontario
Midlothian CastleHeadstone on one of the Gates to Midlothian Castle
Home of Mayberry – Mount Airy, North Carolina
Snappy Lunch – Mt. Airy, NCMayberry on MainMayberry Cheese
Mount Rainier National Park – Greenwater, Washington
Entering Mt. Rainier National Park on WA 410 south of Greenwater, WAMt. Rainier in Washington – visited in 2015A ferry passes by us in the sound with Mt. Rainier in the background
Migrating Snow Geese – Arkansas
Snow Geese everywhereRan into a HUGE flock of migrating snow geese in central Arkansas
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Giant Teepee in Medicine Hat, Alberta
Mickey Mantle Statue – Commerce, Oklahoma
Mickey Mantle Statue in Commerce, Oklahoma
Memorial Falls near Great Falls, Montana
Memorial Falls near Great Falls, MT
Meerkats at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska
The Meerkats are my favorite animal at the zoo. This one posed for me!Lounging Meerkats at Henry Doorly Zoo
Metropolis, Illinois
Welcome to Metropolis, home of SupermanGiant Grocer Statue in Metropolis, IL
Dinosaur Tracks – Moenave, Arizona
Moenave Dinosaur Tracks near Tuba City, AZThe kids at the Dinosaur tracks in Moenave, AZ near Tuba City (July 1993)
Mama Santa Pizzeria – Little Eatery – Cleveland, Ohio
Sumoflam with Mama Santa’s owner Papa TioSumoflam with Nancy Starvaggi Schaffer, showing off the AMAZING homemade sausage and pasta from Mama Santa Restaurant in Cleveland, OH
Montour Trail – Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Montour Trail – Canonsburg, PA
Miner’s Memorial Mural – Ironwood, Michigan
The men in Miner’s Memorial Mural represent the thousands of men who worked in the Gogebic Range Mines of Michigan and Wisconsin.A section of the Miner’s Memorial Mural in Ironwood, which was completed in 2012
Mt. Fuji – near Fujinomiya, Japan
Enjoying wintertime at a resort at the base of Mt. Fuji, near Fujinomiya, Japan in 1987Mt. Fuji, Japan as seen from my airplane seat in 1990 as I flew to Tokyo from Oita.
Multnomah Falls – Multnomah County, Oregon
At Multnomah Falls in Oregon
Mud Street Cafe – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The unique and quaint Mud Street Cafe in Eureka Springs, ARCozy Mud Street Cafe
Memphis Egg – Memphis, Tennessee
With the famous Memphis Egg in 2007
Mothman Museum – Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Glowing Red Eyes of the MothmanMothman Museum in Point Pleasant, WV
Mel’s Diner – San Francisco, California
Sumoflam at Mel’s Drive-in in San Francisco
Mapleton Taxidermy and Cheese Shop – Mapleton, Ontario
Taxidermy and Cheese StoreTaxidermy and Cheese
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 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.
