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.
Ric’s Grill – Steak in Water Tower – Lethbridge, Alberta
Ric’s Grill – Lethbridge, AlbertaRic’s Grill – Lethbridge, Alberta
Route 66 Soda / Route Beer – Mokena, Illinois
Route 66 “Route Beer”
Rabbit Hash, Kentucky
Welcome to Rabbit Hash, KYSign at Rabbit Hash RoadThe Old Rabbit Hash General Store. It burned down in 2016 and had to be rebuilt.
Restroom Hiker Mural – Damascus, Virginia
Hiker painting on a restroom wall in Damascus
Other Restroom Fun – Story, Indiana; Hopland, California; San Francisco, California; Cleveland, Ohio; Cypress, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Nebraska City, Nebraska; Ashland, Montana; Frenchglen, Oregon
A sign outside the restrooms at the Story Inn in Story, IndianaThe sign talking about “Weird Restrooms” at Real Goods in Hopland, CAThere were also a number of tile mosaics. This one was at the entrance to the restrooms in Golden Gate Park visitor’s centerTavern of Little Italy Restroom is plastered with the history of Little Italy in ClevelandMen’s Stall Door in restroom at Burger Shack in Cypress, TexasJungle Jim’s Restroom in Cincinnati have entrances that are deceptive. They actually lead to immaculate huge restrooms.Men’s Restroom at Mo’s in Reedsport, OregonSapp Brothers in Nebraska City, the “Cleanest Restrooms on I-29”Restroom Door in a Convenience Store in Ashland, MontanaSometimes even a place like this looks heavenly – the ceramic toilet is a planter. The real place is in the outhouse. Frenchglen, Oregon
Rock City – near Valier, Montana
Rock City Rd. and Dean Rd., north of Valier, MTSumoflam at Rock City north of Valier, MontanaRock City, Montana
Geographical Center of North America – Rugby, North Dakota
Rugby, ND – The Geographic Center of North AmericaThe Rugby Geographical Center of North America monument juxtaposed with the HUB Motel sign in Rugby, ND
Real Goods Store – Hopland, California
Welcome to Real GoodsA view of the Real Goods StoreSumoflam with Solar Expert and Real Goods founder John Schaeffer
Riscky’s Steakhouse and BBQ – Fort Worth, Texas
Riscky’s Steakhouse – Ft. Worth, TexasRiscky’s BBQ – Ft. Worth
Rudyard, Montana
Rudyard Welcome SignSumoflam and Dino – near Rudyard, Montana
Ragged Falls – Algonquin National Park, Ontario
Ragged Falls in Algonquin National Park in Ontario
Rosie the Fish – Sekiu, Washington
Sekiu’s somewhat famous “Rosie” welcomes you to the town
Red Squirrel – Nebraska City, Nebraska
A red squirrel with a mouthful in Nebraska City, NE
Rising Eagle Sculpture – Bismarck, North Dakota
Rising Eagle Sculpture in Pioneer Park, Bismarck, ND
Royal Donut – Danville, Illinois
Royal Donut – Danville, Illinois
Royal Motel – Ironwood, Michigan
A Route 66 type of vintage neon sign at the Royal Motel in Ironwood, MI
Riverside, Iowa
Future Birthplace of James T. Kirk in Riverside, IALive Long and Prosper – Sumoflam and the Starship Riverside
Random Road – Cleveland, Ohio
Mayfield Road and Random Road, by the little park in Little Italy
Romance, Missouri
Road to RomanceRomance Baptist
Roseman Covered Bridge – Winterset, Iowa
Roseman Covered Bridge in Winterset, Iowa
Raton, New Mexico
Raton Theatre in Raton, NMMain Street in Raton, New MexicoEl Kapp Motel in Raton, NM
Rio Brazos Dance Hall – Granbury, Texas
Rio Brazos Dance Hall – Granbury, Texas (now closed)
Roxy Theatre in Choteau, MontanaROXY Theatre in Langdon, NDNew Roxy in Clarksdale, MSMontana Grill and Roxy Theater in Shelby, Montana
Rockpile Museum – Gillette, Wyoming
Rockpile Museum – Gillette, Wyoming
Roosters Roosters – Needville, Texas; E. Peoria, Illinois; Seymour, Missouri; Eldon, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri; Granbury, Texas
A big metal rooster sits in front of the Jay Cafe in Needville, Texas..doesn’t look like a jay to me.Sumoflam with the giant Rooster with a Top Hat at Carl’s Bakery in E. PeoriaUncle Rooster’s Big Rooster on US 60 near Seymour, MissouriMetal Rooster in McIntosh, MNRed Rooster (looks white to me) – Red Rooster Collectibles Eldon, IAGiant Rooster greets you at Joe’s Cafe entrance in Greg Freeman Park, St. LouisBig Rooster in Granbury, Texas
Roadhouse Relics – Austin, Texas
Roadhouse Relics Wall Sign in Austin
Russell Flat Holiness Church – Sand Springs, Kentucky
Russell Flat Holiness Church – Sand Springs, Kentucky
Regent, North Dakota – Home of the Enchanted Highway
Welcome to Regent and Enchanted Highway Road MapEnchanted Highway Gift Shop in Regent, ND – closed the day were there
Ronks, Pennsylvania
Dutch Haven Restaurant, Home of the famed Amish Shoo Fly Pie, located in Ronks, PA just down the road from IntercourseThe Outhouse Gift Shop – Ronks, PA
Russell’s Point, Ohio
Stewart’s Drive In in Russell’s Point, OhioBringing out the ice cream at Stewart’s
Roswell, New Mexico
UFOs in RoswellMore Art in Roswell, NMNeed some alien stuff? Plenty in Roswell
Rexburg, Idaho
Rexburg, IDRexburg LDS Temple
Rocket Rest Stop – Elkmont, Alabama
At the Rocket Rest Stop in Elkmont, AL – home of a Saturn 1B. Taken in 2005Large Saturn Rocket at Welcome Center in Elkmont, Alabama
Ride the Ducks – Seattle, Washington
Ride the Ducks in Seattle
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – Cleveland, Ohio
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, ClevelandRock and Roll Blvd. in Cleveland
Real Quiet Lane – Lexington, Kentucky
Shhh…this is a Real Quiet Lane in Lexington, KY
Red River Gorge – Slade, Kentucky
Red River Gorge near Slade, KYVisiting Kentucky’s Red River Gorge in November 2016
Rachel the Golden Pig – Pikes Place Market – Seattle, Washington
Rachel the Golden Pig (on the right!!!) and Sumoflam at Pike Place Market in Seattle
Redcliff, Colorado
Green Bridge near Redcliff, ColoradoNice carved eagle in Redcliff, 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.
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 actually did, but it was certainly tough, yet fulfilling.
What I really loved about the event was being able to communicate and link up with others doing the same thing. I have made some new friends on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I have found some interesting blogs to follow and also have a few new followers.
I most certainly look forward to participating again next year. Now to start thinking of a good theme for next year. May actually take a long time!!!
A BIG Thanks to Arlee Bird and her wonderful team!!
My blog was number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts took readers across the back roads of America to many unique towns. See what other bloggers posted about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016
Following is a complete listing of each with the banners associated with each post’s link. Click on the Lettered Banner to go to the specific post.
The A Towns: Amarillo, TX – Adair, IA – Alzada, MT – Alamogordo, NM – Alligator, MS – Alliance, NE – Ada, MI – Akela Flats, NM
The B Towns: Bemidji, MN – Boring, OR – Blackfoot, ID – Burk’s Falls, ON – Booger Holler, AR – Brownsville, TN – Babb, MT – Blackwater, MO – Bena, MN – Bucksnort, TN – Bugtussle, KY – Bugtussle, TX
The C Towns: Cactus Flat, SD – Centralia, MO – Cape Elizabeth, ME – Climax, NC – Climax, KY – Choteau, MT – Cave City, KY – Charm, OH – Chelsea, MI – Champaign, IL – Cut Bank, MT – Caledonia, ON – Cut and Shoot, TX – China Grove, TX – Cool, TX – Coolville, OH
The D Towns: Douglas, WY – DeForest, WI – Discovery Bay, WA – Dublin, OH – Dublin, TX – Dragoon, AZ – Denton, TX – Durant, OK – Danville, IL – Dallas, SD – Denver, NC – Damon, TX
The E Towns: Earth, TX – Eureka Springs, AR – Elbe, WA – Easton, PA – Eldon, IA – Egg Harbor, WI – East Peoria, IL – Embro, ON – Eagle, CO – Endeavor, WI
The F Towns: Flagstaff, AZ – Friendly, WV – Friendship, AR – Flippin, AR – Fair Play, SC – Fergus Falls, MN – Feely, MT – Flippin, KY – Fly, OH – Four Way, TX – Future City, IL
The G Towns: Gainesville, TX – Gothenburg, NE – Guthrie, KY – Gregory, SD – Galata, MT – Glasgow, MT – Glasgow, KY – Gardiner, MT – Gillette, WY – Granbury, TX – Grand Forks, ND – Gravel Switch, KY – Gilboa, OH – Georgetown, TX
The H Towns: Hell, MI – Hamtramck, MI – Hamilton, ON – Hatch, NM – Hico, TX – Hopland, CA – Hoboken, NJ – Hugo, OK – Hershey, PA – Home on the Range, ND – Hamburg, IA
The I Towns: Indian Head, SK – Intercourse, PA – Ironwood, MI – Independence, MO – Idaho Falls, ID – Iona, ID – Inverness, MT – Iron River, WI
The J Towns: Jamestown, ND – Joseph, OR – Jeffersonville, IN – Juneau, AK – Jackson Hole, WY – Janesville, WI – Jackson Center, OH – Jamaica Beach, TX – Jamestown, NY
The K Towns: Kemmerer, WY – Keystone, SD – Ketchikan, AK – Kensington District, ON – Kadoka, SD – Kremlin, MT – Kirkwood, MO
The L Towns: LeClaire, IA – Lake Nebagamon, WI – Lesage, WV – LeRoy, NY – Lizard Lick, NC – Lake Jackson, TX – Lost Springs, WY – Langdon, ND
The M Towns: Mt. Horeb, WI – Meadville, PA – Metropolis, IL – Marshfield, WI – Moenave, AZ – Mystic, CT – Montrose, SD – Minot, ND – Mitchell, SD – Mapleton, ON – Medina, NY – Moose Jaw, SK – Mars, PA
The N Towns: Nicholson, PA – Nekoma, ND – Natchez, MS – Neah Bay, WA – Nauvoo, IL – Newport, OR – Newark, OH – Normal, IL – Nice, CA – New Salem, ND
The O Towns: Only, TN – Old Orchard Beach, ME – Okay, OK – Oil Springs, ON – Oak Creek, CO – Oacoma, SD – Odd, WV – Onawa, IA – Oddville, KY
The P Towns: Pella, IA – Peculiar, MO – Pierre Part, LA – Point Pleasant, WV – Paris, KY – Paris, TX – Paris, TN – Paris, ON – Port Orchard, WA – Powder River, WY – Paducah, KY – Port Gibson, MS – Palmyra, NY – Perryville, KY – Paxton, NE – Pembroke, NY – Penn Yan, NY – Ponder, TX
The Q Towns: Quincy, IL – Quartzsite, AZ – Queen City, OH (Cincinnati) – Quicksand, KY
The R Towns: Roswell, NM – Regent, ND – Rhinelander, WI – Rabbit Hash, KY – Raton, NM – Red Lodge, MT – Riverside, IA – Rugby, ND – Rudyard, MT
The S Towns: Steubenville, OH – Stanley, ID – Sedona, AZ – Santa Rosa, CA – Staunton, IL – Sisters, OR – Seymour, WI – Santa Claus, IN – Sandwich, NH – Sweet Grass, MT – Shakespeare, ON – Stratford, ON – Sikeston, MO – Success, MO – Soda Springs, ID
The T Towns: Tightwad, MO – Talent, OR – Toad Suck, AR – Thermopolis, WY – Teton Valley, ID – Tetonia, ID – Tuba City, AZ – Tornado, WV – Tavistock, ON – Tomahawk, WI – Tripp, SD – Tunica, MS – Tioga, TX – Ten Sleep, WY – Torch, OH
The U Towns: Uncertain, TX – Uncasville, CT – Upper Lake, CA – Ukiah, CA – Upton, KY
The V Towns: Vulcan, AB – Valier, MT – Vernal, UT – Vandalia, IL – Vicksburg, MS – Versailles, KY – Vincennes, IN
The W Towns: Wharton, TX – Welland, ON – Wapiti, WY – Wall, SD – Winterset, IA – Winner, SD – Walla Wall, WA – Worland, WY – Walcott, IA – Waldo, AR – West Montrose, ON
The X Towns: Xenia, OH – Lexington, KY – Cotopaxi, CO – Oxford County, ON – Texarkana, AR – Texline, TX – Rexburg, ID – Exie, KY
The Y Towns: Yampa, CO – West Yellowstone, MT – Yellville, AR – York, NE
The Z Towns: Zanesville, OH – Zelienople, PA – Zurich, MT
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 towns. To see what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016
The V Towns
Vulcan, Alberta
Welcome to Vulcan PlaqueWelcome to Vulcan in KlingonAt the Starship Enterprise in Vulcan, Alberta 2007Vulcan Public Library SignEnterprise Family Restaurant – Vulcan, AlbertaVulcan Visitor CenterStar Trek Wall Mural in Vulcan, Alberta
Back in 2007 I had occasion to visit a friend of mine in Alberta, Canada. One of the side trips we tool was to the town of Vulcan, which has taken full advantage of its name and the association with the TV show Star Trek. Vulcan is a town located midway between the cities of Calgary and Lethbridge inthe prairies of Southern Alberta, Canada. The population of the town was 1,940 in 2006, and the population of the county, which is also named Vulcan. See more about my Vulcan visit HERE. Live long and prosper!!
Valier, Montana
Welcome to Valier, MontanaRock City Rd. and Dean Rd., north of Valier, MTSumoflam at Rock City north of Valier, MontanaRock City near Valier, MontanaTwo Medicine River north of Valier, Montana
Last week I posted about a place near Sweet Grass, Montana called Jerusalem Rocks. About 70 south of there is a town called Valier. It is a small town of about 700 and really does not have a whole lot there. But, just outside of town is another outcropping of hoodoos and formations in a place called Rock City. I wrote about this and other similar places in a post HERE. But, you may also want to check out my complete post on my Montana US Highway 89 adventure HERE.
Vernal, Utah
Welcome to Vernal, UTDinosaur National Monument, Vernal, UTDinosaur Head Fossil at Dinosaur National MonumentDinosaur bones embedded at Dinosaur National MonumentSumoflam with a dinosaur Leg Bone Fossil at Dinosaur National MonumentFlaming Gorge, near Vernal, UT (photo from utah.com)
In 1975 I made weekly trips from Salt Lake City to Vernal, Utah for work as a record/tape distributor. I loved the drive and Vernal was actually a nice place to visit every week. In the early 2000s I once again visited with my family as we ventured to the Dinosaur National Monument. Along with my trips, I would drive the switchbacks form Vernal and over the area known as Flaming Gorge. This is beautiful country and well worth the visit. It has been many years since I have been there, and I hope to get there again soon!
Vandalia, Illinois
Vandalia Water Tower with Lincoln on itVandalia State House in Vandalia, ILBreathing Fire in VandaliaSumoflam and the Fire Breathing Dragon of Kaskaskia in Vandalia, IL
On a family trip in 2014, we drove through the town of Vandalia, Illinois as part of our return trip home. Our main reason for coming here was to see a fire breathing dragon…made from metal. But, Vandalia is so much more. This is where Abraham Lincoln kicked off his career as a politician. It was the western terminus of the National Road, one of America’s first highways. The Kaskaskia Dragon was a load of fun for the grandkids too!! Check out my full trip report with lots of photos HERE.
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Sumoflam and Cannons at Vicksburg National Military ParkEntry arch at VicksburgCannon line the grounds of Vicksburg National Military park in Vicksburg, MSSculpture at VicksburgSculpture at Vicksburg
In the summer of 2014 I cruised down the Blues Highway and ended up spending the night in Vicksburg, Mississippi. I woke up early the next day to visit the Vicksburg National Military Park before heading further south on Highway 61. The park preserves the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg, waged from May 18 to July 4, 1863 and also commemorates the greater Vicksburg Campaign, which preceded the battle. The expansive park includes 1,340 historic monuments and markers, 20 miles of historic trenches and earthworks, a 16-mile tour road, 144 emplaced cannons, a restored gunboat, and more. A must see for Civil War enthusiasts, but also a great place to learn about a facet of American history. Besides the park, the town has a great Coca Cola memorabilia museum and a number of murals along the river wall. You can see many more photos and a more detailed writeup about my visit in 2014 HERE.
Versailles, Kentucky (Honorable Mention)
A mural on a water tower in Versailles, KentuckyScrap Metal Horse at Woodford Reserve near Versailles, KentuckyHorses graze in the fall on a Woodford County farm near Versailles.One of many amazing Horse Farm barns that can be seen in the Versailles areaVersailles is in the heart of the Horse Capital of the World
Living in Lexington, Kentucky offers many wonderful opportunities for “Staycations.” One great place to visit nearby is the lovely and historic town of Versailles (pronounced Ver-sales) which is on US Highway 62 west of Lexington. Versailles is well-known for its quaint, small-town beauty, beautiful horse farms and Kentucky’s famed bourbon distilleries, including the famed Woodford Reserve. Many of the famed Bluegrass Horse Farms are in Woodford County and near Versailles. I have never written a blog post about Versailles, but I would highly recommend a visit there if you come to Kentucky. Plan the trip in April and go to the races at nearby Keeneland Racetrack then take the Bourbon Trail. Check out my 2013 blog post about Horse Farm Country with many photos about horses, horse farms and the Horse Capital of the World — right HERE.
Vincennes, Indiana (Honorable Mention)
Family at the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park in Vincennes, Indiana Summer 2001Family inside the Clark Memorial with George Rogers Clark and the seven murals, Summer 2001
In the summer of 2001 my family took a trip westward to Utah (including the trip to Vernal noted above). Early in the trip we went through Vincennes, Indiana to visit the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. Founded in 1732 by French fur traders, Vincennes is the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in Indiana and one of the oldest settlements west of the Appalachians. It sits at the intersection of US Highway 41 and US Highway 50. George Rogers Clark (November 19, 1752 – February 13, 1818) was a surveyor, soldier, and militia officer from Virginia and the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during the American Revolutionary War. He served as leader of the Kentucky (then part of Virginia) militia throughout much of the war. Clark is best known for his celebrated captures of Kaskaskia (1778) (Way before the fiery dragon noted above!!) and Vincennes (1779) during the Illinois Campaign, which greatly weakened British influence in the Northwest Territory. Because the British ceded the entire Northwest Territory to the United States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, Clark has often been hailed as the “Conqueror of the Old Northwest”. his younger brother William was the “Clark” in the Lewis and Clark expeditions. This trip was well before my travel blogging days, but the Memorial was definitely one of our more memorable experiences on a trip across the country to see history.
Did You Miss My Other A to Z Challenge Posts? Click on a letter below to see the others.
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.
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