A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The J Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Burger Joints, California, Cross Country Road Trips, Dragons, Dream Highways, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Jackalope, Junk Art, Kentucky, Less Beaten Paths Books, Minnesota, Montana, Mountains, Mythical Creatures, New York, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, People Shots, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, South Dakota, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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 [caption id="attachment_8741" align="alignnone" width="400"] Sumoflam at Judy Garland birthplace in Grand Rapids, MN[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8748" align="alignnone" width="383"] Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, MN[/caption] Jakeman's Maple Syrup - Beachville, Ontario [caption id="attachment_5170" align="alignnone" width="400"] Jakeman's Maple Products - Beachville, Ontario[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5171" align="alignnone" width="400"] Jakeman's Sign[/caption] Jackalopes Everywhere - Superior, Wisconsin; Wall, South Dakota; Douglas, Wyoming; Fort Worth, Texas [caption…
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H is for History – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Arizona, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, LDS Temples, Lewis and Clark Sites, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Museums, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
One cannot travel any road in America or Canada without running into some sort of historical site, monument or building.  That is part of the fun of a back road adventure.  Our country of 2017 is defined in great part by the history of the country dating back to the 1600s (and earlier if you count the Native Americans). [caption id="attachment_8530" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Camp Disappointment west of Cut Bank< Montana looks out towards the mountains of Glacier National Park.  This is one of many Lewis and Clark Monuments across the United States.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17786" align="alignleft" width="300"] Monument in Beachville, Ontario commemorating the first baseball game in Canada.[/caption] Dotting the roads of America are historical markers that tell about events that occurred in that exact location or nearby. There are literally…
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A to Z Challenge: Reflections #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Alaska, Alberta, Amish Country, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Big Cities, Bucket List Trips, California, Car Art, City Skylines, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, Horse Art, Hot Springs, Idaho, Illinois, Indian Ruins, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Lewis and Clark Sites, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Saskatchewan, Selfies, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal, Utah, Vintage Neon, Washington, Water Towers, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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…
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A to Z Challenge: The P Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Iowa, Kentucky, LDS Temples, Lewis and Clark Sites, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, Nebraska, New York, Ontario, People Shots, Place Names, Post Offices, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 20, US Highway 61, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Washington, Water Towers, West Virginia, Wyoming, Yard Art
During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The P Towns   Pella, Iowa [caption id="attachment_3137" align="alignnone" width="300"] Welcome to Pella[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6116" align="alignnone" width="199"] Vermeer Dutch Windmill in Pella, IA - the largest working windmill in the United States[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3573" align="alignnone" width="300"] Jaarsma Bakery - Pella,…
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A Whirlwind Trip to Palmyra, NY and the Hill Cumorah Pageant

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Eateries, Giant Things, Large Statues, New York, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Television Shows, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wildflowers
[caption id="attachment_5355" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Lunchtime on a Skyscraper by Sergio Fernari - Williamsville, NY[/caption] My wife and I took a quick whirlwind trip to Palmyra, New York this past weekend (July 19-21, 2013) to attend the spectacular Hill Cumorah Pageant, which is presented by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Naturally, along the way we made a few stops.  The three day trip was a lot of driving and a lot of fun.  Following is a map of the trip. View Larger Map - Lexington, KY to Palmyra, NY and back The first part of the drive was straight up through Cincinnati and Columbus with just a small gas stop in Grove City, Ohio. I have traveled these roads so often, I think I have run out of…
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