Since man could walk, travel has been a part of life. The sensational opportunity to see the world has kept most of us from being sedentary. The singular driving force is the strong desire of discovery.
For nearly 50 years I have sought the sensation, the scintillating, the stylish and the silly in my travels. In 2018, that striving for something special continued. I hope you will enjoy some of the S Signs I discovered in my 2018 travels. Enjoy the Read. Enjoy the Ride.
Smiley, Texas
Smiling in Smiley, TexasSmiley, Texas – didn’t find many smiles hereThe Smiley Water Tower. Not even a Smiley Face on it!
I was down in Houston in February 2018 and took the grandsons on an expedition. One of my “goal places” was Smiley, Texas. I always love places with unique names. The small community’s name has nothing to do with smiles. Rather, it was named after trader and sheepherder John Smiley in the 1870s. The town of about 450 is located at the intersection of US Highway 87 and Farm Roads 3234 and 108. Honestly, the town looked very depressed and run down. Probably not much to smile about.
Sunset Motel, Belle Fourche, South Dakota
Great little place in the geographic center of the continental US!The Sunset Motel in Belle Fourche, SDSunset Motel Sign on a building in downtown Belle Fourche.
When I take a long road trip, I don’t typically plan on a place to stay until late in the day. I never know how far along I’ll get before it gets dark. Such was the case with my visit to Belle Fourche. After traveling west on Interstate 90 thru to Wall, SD, I decided to head northwest on US Highway 85 towards Montana and made it into Belle Fourche. I always try to stay at a local, vintage motel on these trips nowadays, just for the experience (good or bad). I got to Belle Fourche at sunset, just in time to get a nice shot of the sunset with the Sunset Motel 5 sign. It was a nice stay.
Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby, Illinois
Starved Rock State Park near Oglesby, ILA Starved Rock Carving
I made my way to Starved Rock State Park which is a huge natural park situated on the Illinois River just south of North Utica, Illinois and east of Oglesby, Illinois. My sole purpose was to track down one of the Whispering Giant carvings by artist Peter Toth. I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw and hope to visit there for a more extended trip sometime in the near future. The park has 18 small canyons and numerous waterfalls that can be seen from a number of hiking trails.
Skykomish, Washington
Welcome to Skykomish, WA
Skykomish – interesting name and splendid vistas! I pulled into Skykomish on a beautiful April day after coming down from the snow-packed Stevens Pass on US Highway 2. Though the altitude is only 928 feet, it feels completely like a mountain town as it is surrounded by the tall scenic mountains of the Cascade Range. The name “Skykomish” derives from the Skykomish or Skai-whamish tribe who inhabited the area before any Europeans arrived. The town of Skykomish was officially incorporated on June 5, 1909. The main purpose of the town was to be a fueling station for the railroad.
Sabine Theatre, Many, Louisiana
Sabine Theatre, Many, Louisiana
The old classic move marquee is slowly disappearing, so, whenever I hit a small town with a huge classic marquee, I want to grab a shot. Such was the case of the Sabine in Many, Louisiana. Built in 1947, the Sabine Theatre was acquired by the town of Many in the mid-1990’s. Like many theatres across the country, the Sabine is now typically used for live theatre, musical performances, occasional movies, and other community events.
Shiner, Texas
Welcome to Shiner, TexasShiner Barbeque Company
When I hear the word shiner, I usually think of a black eye. So, on my trip to see Smiley (see above), I also went through the town of Shiner, Texas. Located on US Highway 90, the town is now locally famous in Texas as the home of the Spoetzl Brewery, best known for producing Shiner Bock, a dark German/Czech-style beer that is now distributed in 49 states. I didn’t visit the brewery, but learned that the town was named for Henry B. Shiner, who donated 250 acres of land in 1887 and then incorporated in 1890.
Sublime Baptist Church, Sublime, Texas
Sublime Baptist Church in Sublime, Texas
Continue East on US Highway 90 from Shiner and you’ll pass through the small community if Sublime. Isn’t that just sublime? There isn’t much here. The population is about 75, and has been since the 1950s. The name was set in 1875 when a post office was established there.
Stardust Motel, Wallace, Idaho
Stardust Motel in Wallace, IdahoStardust Motel – Wallace, Idaho
Like the Sunset Motel in South Dakota, I ended up in the mountain town of Wallace, Idaho on my way west to Washington in April 2018. I just stopped in and got a room at the Stardust. Classic vintage motel sign drew me in. Nice rooms, good rates and a lovely little town.
Spar Cafe, Olympia, Washington
Spar Cafe, Olympia, Washington
I stopped in to Olympia to have breakfast with some old friends. We ate the Spar Cafe in downtown Olympia. First established in the 1930s, the eatery is filled with interesting art. Originally touted as a “fine eating and recreation parlor,” can you still see the original bar, artwork, chandeliers, and other furnishings. I heard that even the drinking water is served up old school—straight from its own artesian well.
Like what you see? Well, there is lots more! I currently have two books about offbeat and quirky places to take on your road trips. You can see both of my books at http://amzn.to/2ks6fQZ. Working on Book 3, coming in late Spring 2019!!
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.