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.
Home on the Range, North Dakota
Home on the Range sign in North Dakota
Hammering Man – Seattle, Washington
The Hammering Man by Jonathan Borofsky
Ho-Hum Motel – West Yellowstone, Montana
Ho-Hum Motel in West Yellowstone, Montana
Hillybilly Hot Dogs – Lesage, West Virginia
Yes, they do have a Website!!Order Rite Cheer at Hillbilly Hot Dogs in Lesage, WV
Happy, Kentucky
Happy in Happy, KY
Hell, Michigan
Direction to Hell from Pickney, MIWelcome to Hell
The Great Hodag – Rhinelander, Wisconsin
With the famed Hodag in Rhinelander, WI
Himeji Castle – Himeji, Japan
Visiting the famed Himeji Castle in 1987
Harlan Sanders Cafe – Corbin, Kentucky
Sanders Cafe in Corbin, KY. Birthplace of the KFC Special RecipeThe Colonel and Me at Sanders Cafe
Hipp Nursery – Haubstadt, Indiana
Martini bearing pink and white elephant pair at Hipp Nursery in Haubstadt, IN
Harry Truman Mural – Independence, Missouri
A mural of Harry Truman on a Law Office in Independence, MO painted by David McClain. Truman was born in Independence
Horsetail Falls – Multnomah County, Oregon
Horsetail Falls in Oregon
Hung Dong Supermarket – Houston, Texas
Of course, you can always come across unique shop names, like this one in Houston. I hear they have great sausages!!
Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland – Calvert City, Kentucky
Hillbilly Garden Car – Calvert City, KYSigns at Hillbilly Garden
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch – Staunton, Illinois
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch – Staunton, IllinoisRich Henry and Sumoflam with their rabbit at Henry’s Ra66it Ranch in Staunton, IL
Hiawatha Statue – Ironwood, Michigan
Hiawatha Stands 50 feet tall in Ironwood, MI
Heini’s Cheese Shop – Charm, Ohio
Heini’s Cheese Shop – Charm, Ohio
Home of Sliced Bread – Chillicothe, Missouri
Chillicothe, Missouri – The Home of Sliced Bread
Hell’s Half-Acre – Powder River, Wyoming
Hell’s Half Acre Sign in Wyoming off of US Route 20/26Hell’s Half Acre in Wyoming
Sam Houston Statue – Huntsville, Texas
77 Foot Tall Sam Houston Statue in Huntsville, Texas
Hope, Arkansas
Made it to Hope, AR
Horse Farm Country – Central Kentucky
Horses graze in the fall on a Woodford County farm near Versailles.Mare and foal jaunt on a farm in Lexington, KY
Hurts Donut – Frisco, Texas
Hurts Donut in Frisco, TexasWanna Hurts Donut?
Hyak Ferry – Bremerton, Washington
Riding the Hyak from Bremerton Terminal in WashingtonA flock of seagulls on the deck of the Hyak
Harvey Jackson Mural – Kemmerer, Wyoming
Harvey Jackson mural on a corner in Kemmerer, WY
Hershey, Pennsylvania
My children at Hershey Chocolate World in 1990sGranddaughter Joselyn gives Grampz a Hershey Kiss at Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hung Far Low Chinese – Portland, Oregon
Hung Far Low – Famous Chop Suey and Famous name – Portland, Oregon
Hurricane, West Virginia
Hurricane, West VirginiaA Wall Mural in Hurricane, WV
Horse Capital of the World – Versailles, Kentucky
A mural on a water tower in Versailles, Kentucky
Hamtramck Disneyland – Hamtramck, Michigan
Windmills and Whirlygigs at Hamtramck Disneyland in DetroitA menagerie of oddball and offbeat things all over the roof, side of the house and the yard – Hamtramck Disneyland
Hutch’s on the Beach – Hamilton, Ontario
Hutch’s on the Beach – Hamilton, Ontario
Hopi Indian Reservation – Walpi, Arizona
While working in Arizona I made over 100 trips to Walpi on the Hopi Indian Reservation in Northern Arizona
Hippos of Hutto, Texas
Greetings from Hutto, home of the HipposOne of the many Hippos in Hutto, TX
Hells Canyon – Oregon
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, OregonHells Canyon in northeast Oregon is actually wider and deeper than the Grand Canyon
Hippie Joe’s Gas – Upper Lake, California
Hippie Joe’s Gas in Upper Lake, CA
History of the Niagara Peninsula – Welland, Ontario
A portion of a massive mural on the side of a shopping mall. Entitled “History of the Niagara Peninsula” by Heinz Gaugel
Hi-Line Theatre – Rudyard, Montana
Hi-Line Theatre in Rudyard, Montana – operating since 1949
Hatch, New Mexico
A&W Family in Hatch, NMA fiberglass Uncle Sam in Hatch, NM with a famous Hatch Green Chile in hand
Hop Bottom, West Virginia
Hop Bottom, WV
Hot Box Cafe – Toronto, Ontario
Hot Box Cafe – Toronto, Ontario
Hugo, Oklahoma
Welcome to Historic Hugo, OKA building made of petrified wood in Hugo
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.
One of the more interesting things I look for on roadtrips as I pass through small communities on back roads is yard art. Funky art and decorations in people’s yards, on their fences, on their houses. People have ingenuity. Some people have junk. But, as the saying goes, “One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Treasure.”
Unique Yard Art in Parker, Idaho
For me, Yard Art is anything unique and unusual. It could be chain saw art – wood carvings made with chain saws. It could be art made from scrap metal. It could be, like the photo above, a hodge podge of signs, junk or other things. Following are some selections of yard art I have taken over the years. Don’t judge…some of these people love their “collections.” I just love my collection of photos of theirs… Enjoy the virtual ride.
Scrap Metal Art in Oil Springs, OntarioHubcap Barn – Central KentuckyA Chain Saw Art Santa at Santa’s Candy Castle in Santa Claus, IndianaBuried parts of airplanes at the Flying Tiger Museum in Toco, TXYet another junk collector along US Route 2 at the Blueberry Antique Store in Blueberry, WIScrap metal bison in someone’s front yard in Rudyard, Montana“Not the Hotel California” in Lima, MontanaHodge Podge Water Garden at home in Orlando, KentuckyScrap Metal Dinosaur – work done by Wally Keller – near Mt. Horeb, WisconsinBethel Saloon in Port Orchard, WAScrap Metal Horse at Woodford Reserve near Versailles, KentuckyThe Shack Playground, The Shack Burger Resort, Cypress, TXScrap Metal Guy Mailbox at Frontier Steakhouse – Dunkirk, MontanaFront of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, ILCar Advertising in Commerce, OklahomaGiant scrap metal chopper and rider at Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis, SDP’MAWS Bait Shack in Pierre Part, LA (Notice it is SWAMP spelled backwards)Scrap Metal Alligator – Harrietsville, OntarioBlue Banana Espesso Bar in Lostine, OregonGotta add some wood carvings – these from Nebraska City, NEScrap Metal and wire Man and Dog at entrance to Gates of the Mountains in Montana, south of HelenaWhimsical Sculpture at Winter Wheat in Sparta, OntarioA “Flower Bed” in What Cheer, IowaWooden sculpture in a yard across from Daffin’s in Sharon, PARoad Sign Art in Meadville, PAA menagerie of oddball and offbeat things all over the roof, side of the house and the yard – Hamtramck Disneyland in Hamtramck, MIMetal Bird – Idaho Falls, Idaho“Javelin Man” by Larry Vennard in Centralia, MissouriFlower Man House – Houston, TexasScene from Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill in Woodstock, OntarioGreedy Attorney – Jurustic Park – Marshfield, WisconsinHand made dinos at Wells Dinosaur Haven in Uncasville, CTNice carved eagle in Redcliff, ColoradoHillbilly Hot Dogs long view – Lesage, WVHillbilly Hot Dogs near Lesage, WVGiant Armadillo – Texas Pipe Company – Houston, TexasA Scrap Metal Sculpture in Bemidji, MNArt Car at Third Street Stuff – Lexington, KentuckySpider Volkswagen in someone’s backyard – Wolf Creek, OregonA hodge podge of scrap metal art at Porter’s Sculpture Park in Montrose, SDChainsaw Forest near Medford, WISmall Metal Sculpture in Gladstone, NDBuck Samuelson sculptures on a hillside in Glasgow, MontanaChainsaw Carved Bear Mailbox, Ontario, CanadaSumoflam and Justin Howland at Grizz Works in Maple, WI. Giant Grizzly is amazing! He makes yard artA view of Boudreau’s Antiques and Collectibles on US Hwy 2 east of Ashland, WIBig Indian – Blackwater, MissouriWood carved things in front of Fat Smitty’s in Discovery Bay, WAThe Mattress Ranch “pasture” in Port Orchard, WALooks like Humpty Dumpty is alive and well in Eureka Springs, ArkansasGasoline Pump Art Sculpture in Story, IN
People are enthralled by dinosaurs and dragons. Maybe it is because humans have never really seen one alive. All we have are fossil evidences and legends.
A roadtrip on the back roads of America will almost always present a dinosaur or a dragon. I have seen hundreds in my travels.
Dragon Biting my head off – Jurustic Park – Marshfield, Wisconsin
In this post I hope to share some of the photos and fun of dinosaurs, dragons and other monster thingies as seen on the road.
Autumn and “Grampz” with the Hodag of Rhinelander, WI
Let’s look at a couple of strange monsters first. First there is the Hodag, a unique monster found in Rhinelander, WI. According to an 1893 newspaper article it was “the fiercest, strangest, most frightening monster ever to set razor sharp claws on the earth. It became extinct after its main food source, all white bulldogs, became scarce in the area.”
A giant monster sculpture greets you at the Mount Horeb Welcome Center. Created by Wally Keller
Wisconsin really seems to be the monster capital of the country. In Mt. Horeb, there is another cool looking monster statue in front of the visitor center. Created by Wally Keller, an artist from nearby.
20 foot tall Jurustic Park dragon in Marshfield, WIClyde Wynia, the creator of Jurustic Park and the artist behind all of the work
Of course, the premier “dragon” stop in Wisconsin is Jurustic Park in Marshfield, WI. Created by artist (and former attorney) Clyde Wynia, this large property has well over 1000 pieces of welded scrap metal art, including a few dragons.
Clyde has a number of stories about his “artwork fossils” and makes it a fun place to visit. Note that it really is off the beaten path, but well worth a visit!
Big Dragon – Jurustic Park – Marshfield, WisconsinWelcome to Jurustic Park
And the afore mentioned Wally Keller, who passed away a few years ago, also had a nice menagerie in his front yard.
Hungry Dinosaur – Wally Keller collection near Mt. Horeb, WisconsinScrap Metal Dinosaur – work done by Wally Keller – near Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin
There is another scrap metal artist in Centralia, MO who also has created a number of similar dinosaurs.
Sumoflam and Larry Vennard at his Iron Sculpture Park in Centralia, MOLarry Vennard’s Highway “T” Rex near Centralia, MOSumoflam and the Fire Breathing Dragon of Kaskaskia in Vandalia, IL
One of the most interesting dragons out there is the Kaskaskia Fire breathing dragon in Vandalia, IL
This monster was the brainchild of Kaskaskia Supply owner Walt Barenfanger. The 35 foot long beast is not only a nice piece of metal art, it is also FIRE BREATHING! Yes, go across the street to the Liquor Store or over to the Kaskaskia Hardware store and get a token for One Dollar, stick it into the self-service coin box and this guy’s eyes light up red and he breathes REAL fire for about 10 seconds!!
A closeup of the fire!Kaskaskia Fire Breathing Dragon
There are, of course, many other dragons out there.
“Horn Dragon” by Diego Harris. Currently on display at Real Goods Store in Hopland, CADragon with Cowboy Boots at Big Texan Steak House in Amarillo, TXMetal Dragon on a Building – Clayton, New MexicoGuitar Playing Scrap Metal Dragon – Harrietsville, OntarioDragon head – Salida, ColoradoImpressive Dragon mural on a Chinese Restaurant in Oak Creek, ColoradoDragon Mural in Broken Bow, OK
But, its the dinosaurs that impress. Many have been built to the presumed size and shape of the various monsters. In fact, there are a number of T Rex statues out there.
Skeleton Walking Dinosaur near Murdo, South DakotaHead of the T-Rex at Wells Dinosaur Haven in ConnecticutA T-Rex at a miniature golf course in Ocean City, MDA 15 foot dinosaur overlooks Carhenge in Alliance, NebraskaThe Old Trail Museum in Choteau Museum has scary dinosaurs – located in Choteau, Montana on the “Dinosaur Trail”Big dino in Bynum, MontanaLarge Sign about the Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis, WyomingGiant T-Rex statue in Cave City, KY
Most impressive of all is the great escape of dinosaurs from the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. Life size and REALLY REAL looking.
Dinos break out of Indianapolis Children’s MuseumAbout to be squished by a giant dino!!!Dinosaurs peek into the Children’s Museum
And here are a few more dinosaur shots from around the country
A Dinosaur Sighting outside the Cleveland Museum of Natural historyOne of over 35 life-size dinosaur creations at Wells Dinosaur Haven in Uncasville, CTDinos at Wells Dinosaur Haven in Uncasville, CTAn outdoor dinosaur at the Old Trail Museum in Choteau, MontanaColorful Dinosaur near Carnegie Museum, originally part of DinoMite Days in 2003Scrap Metal Dinosaur chasing a ram – Glasgow, MontanaRudyard Dinosaur, Rudyard, MTDinosaur Statue – Clayton, NMGrazing Dinosaur – Harrietsville, OntarioGiant 80 foot tall Wall Drug Dino, in Wall, SD
and finally, who can forget that cute little Sinclair Gas dinosaur?