Towns of America A to Z: The A Towns #atozchallenge

Towns of America A to Z: The A Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alligators, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Big Cities, Books, Bridges, Canada, Cities and Towns, Cross Country Road Trips, Donut Places, Eateries, Family Travel, Giant Things, Highways and Roadways, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Murals, Nebraska, New Mexico, Offbeat Places, Ontario, Oregon, Peter Wolf Toth, Philippines, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Route 66, Selfies, Signs and Billboards, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 101, US Highway 212, Virginia, Wall Art, Washington, Welcome Signs, Whispering Giants
It's another year and another opportunity to provide a fun VIRTUAL road trip.  For the 2022 A to Z  Challenge, I will be taking you, the readers, to some of the many places I have visited.  Almost every little town to every big city has something unique to offer visitors. I hope to take you to some of these places across the United States, and even to Canada, the Philippines and Japan on some select posts, for a virtual trip to see places you may not know about. Today's post covers a number of towns and cities that begin with the letter A. Some are huge cities and some are barely dots on the maps.  I hope you'll enjoy this trip.  Ironically, on this April 1, I am visiting Anderson,…
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Everywhere a Sign – Some S Signs From 2018 #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Idaho, Illinois, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Offbeat Places, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, South Dakota, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 2, US Highway 85, US Highway 87, Wanderlust, Washington, Water Towers
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 [caption id="attachment_21323" align="alignnone" width="525"] Smiling in Smiley, Texas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_21291" align="alignnone" width="525"] Smiley, Texas - didn't find many smiles here[/caption] [caption id="attachment_21328" align="alignnone" width="385"] The Smiley Water Tower. Not even a Smiley Face on it![/caption] I was down in Houston in February 2018…
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Travel in 2018: The Best of the Roadside Attractions – Part 1

Adventure, Alabama, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Big John, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Dinosaurs, Dream Highways, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Muffler Man, Nevada, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, Selfies, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Tourist Traps, Toy Collections, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 101, Utah, Washington, Water Towers, Whispering Giants, Wyoming
[caption id="attachment_20889" align="alignleft" width="225"] Sharkheads in Biloxi, MS[/caption] Obviously, one of my favorite things to do on road trips short or long is locate the fun, unique and offbeat roadside attractions.  And, fortunately, 2018 provided me a plethora of these.  I have already written about a few of them individually in past months, but this post will be a nice little "photo tour" of some of my favorites. Having been through 26 different states in 2018, I had plenty of sites and loads of fun.  I got to share many of these with grandchildren, which made it even better. [caption id="attachment_20271" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Dignity: Of Earth and Sky - 50 foot tall statue by Dale Lamphere[/caption] [caption id="attachment_20268" align="alignright" width="225"] Sumoflam with Dignity near Chamberlain, SD[/caption] Perhaps my favorite from…
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Travel in 2018: Fun Place Names and Street Signs

Alabama, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Route 66, Selfies, South Dakota, States and Provinces, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 101, US Highway 171, US Highway 2, US Highway 20, US Highway 212, US Highway 26, US Highway 270, US Highway 412, US Highway 49, US Highway 71, US Highway 87, US Highway 90, Utah, Water Towers
[caption id="attachment_21323" align="alignleft" width="300"] Smiling in Smiley, Texas[/caption] I am always on the lookout for fun places to visit when on the backroads of America.  My travels in 2018 took me to 26 different states and along the way I found more unique town names and fun street signs to add to my collection.  In 2017 I published my first book titled "Less Beaten Paths of America: Unique Town Names."  (Check out the book here) At the time I wrote it, I didn't think I would get enough new places to fill up a second book, but , indeed, I have.  And 2018 really helped with that. [caption id="attachment_21293" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Happyville Road in Greensburg, Kentucky (I always #CHOOSEHAPPY)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_21324" align="alignright" width="300"] Autumn and me in Marvel, Alabama with…
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Offbeat and Quirky Roadside Attractions Now Available on Amazon!

Adventure, Antsy McClain, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Big John, Books, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, Junk Art, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Muffler Man, Mythical Creatures, Offbeat Places, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal, Wanderlust, Whispering Giants, Yard Art
Yesterday my new book, "Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions" made its debut on Amazon! The book is 130 pages of FULL COLOR whimsy and kitsch as I tell stories of my visits to these places all over the U.S. and Canada. Definitely was fun taking these back roads trips to quirkville and I am excited to share them with you in words and photos. Even more exciting was that after a few hours the book was already #5 on Amazon's Road Travel New Releases chart and #24 on their Travel Reference chart!! I hope you will be able to check out the book or even get it on Kindle (#14 on the Road Travel chart). You Chang the book here: SEE NEW BOOK
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The G Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Alligators, Amish Country, Antsy McClain, Arizona, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Burger Joints, California, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Gifu, Giraffe, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Japanese Castles, Junk Art, Kentucky, Kyoto, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Travel in Japan, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Wanderlust, Water Towers, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Yard Art
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 [caption id="attachment_8720" align="alignnone" width="400"] Gronk's Grill and Bar in Superior, WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8714" align="alignnone" width="300"] The fickle finger of fate at the entrance of Gronks in Superior, WI[/caption] Gettysburg National Battlefield - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania [caption id="attachment_7015" align="alignnone" width="400"] Sons Seth and Solomon at the Gettysburg Museum, July 4 1998[/caption] Glacier Bay National Park - Gustavus, Alaska [caption id="attachment_4625" align="alignnone" width="360"]…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The B Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alligators, Animals, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Big John, Bison, Blue Heron, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Buffalo, Burger Joints, Cross Country Road Trips, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oita, Ontario, Oregon, Philippines, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Television Shows, Tennessee, Texas, The Beatles, Town Names, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Virginia, Washington, Water Towers, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art
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.   Blueberry, WI [caption id="attachment_8703" align="alignnone" width="400"] Old Antique Store in Blueberry, WI[/caption] Brazos Bend State Park - Needville, TX [caption id="attachment_11297" align="alignnone" width="400"] Brazos Bend State Park, Texas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11290" align="alignnone" width="400"] Another Gator in Brazos State Park[/caption] Bruce Windmill Farm - Woodstock, ON [caption id="attachment_544" align="alignnone" width="400"] Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill in Woodstock, ON is One of Ontario's premier "roadart" places[/caption] Bison/Buffalo - Yellowstone National Park…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The A Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alabama, Amish Country, Antelope, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Bike Trails, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Canada, Colorado, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Japan, Landscapes, Less Beaten Paths Books, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, National Monuments, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, People Shots, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, Street People, Television Shows, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Virginia, Washington, Waterfalls, Wildflowers, 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.   Aliens on a Coke Machine - Roswell, New Mexico [caption id="attachment_3278" align="alignnone" width="525"] Have a Coke and a Smile?? Coke machine in Roswell...[/caption] Airstream Factory - Jackson Center, Ohio [caption id="attachment_15485" align="alignnone" width="430"] Sumoflam hanging at the Airstream Visitor's Center in Jackson Center, OH[/caption] Alder Lake Tree Stumps - Elbe, Washington [caption id="attachment_14405" align="alignnone" width="266"] Alder Lake stumps near Elbe, WA[/caption] Adair Smiley Water Tower - Adair,…
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A to Z Challenge: The G Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Amish Country, Animals, Antsy McClain, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Big John, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Giraffe, Kentucky, Large Statues, Montana, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Place Names, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, South Dakota, Street Art, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal, US Highway 2, US Highway 31, US Highway 41, US Highway 68, US Highway 79, US Highway 89, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Water Towers, Wyoming, Yard Art, Zoos
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 G Towns Gainesville, Texas [caption id="attachment_12525" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sumoflam at Glen Goode's Big People in Gainesville, TX[/caption] [caption id="attachment_496" align="alignnone" width="300"] Glen Goode's Big People[/caption] [caption id="attachment_493" align="alignnone" width="300"] Glen Goode's Big People[/caption] Across this great country there are…
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