13May 2016 by David Kravetz

Sumoflam Interviewed on Teal Gray Worldwide Podcast

Backroads Discoveries, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Travel Blogging, Unique Places
I was recently honored to be interviewed on a podcast hosted by Dr. Teal L. Gray, from Texas. She often delves into travel and the mysterious things of the world. [caption width="226" id="attachment_15922" align="alignleft"] Dr. Teal L. Gray[/caption] I was introduced to Teal by fellow travel writer/blogger Tui Snider, who has authored three books including one on the interesting and offbeat in North Texas. Teal has followed both my travel blog and is a fan of my photography. [caption width="469" id="attachment_15923" align="aligncenter"] Teal Gray Worldwide Blog[/caption] In her podcast we discussed the origins of my Sumoflam name, my travels around the US and Canada, my TV shows in Japan and my photography. I am grateful to her for this opportunity and wanted to share it again with my blog viewers…
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12May 2016 by David Kravetz

Staycation Mini-Roadtrip: Kentucky Highway 89

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Car Art, Eateries, Family Travel, Farmland, Flowers, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Horses, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Murals, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Staycations, Town Names, Train Bridges, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Houses, Unique Places, US Highway 421, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Wildflowers, Yard Art
[caption id="attachment_15890" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Kentucky Scenic Byway Highway 89[/caption] Oftimes when we think of a road trip, we typically think of some far off location with fun sites and unique places to visit.  Indeed, we may often overlook what is right in our backyard.  Thus the word "Staycation" was born.  A staycation is typically defined as a period in which an individual or family stays home and participates in leisure activities within driving distance, sleeping in their own beds at night. Most of the time it involves dining out more frequently than usual. Staycations achieved popularity in the US during the financial crisis of 2007–2010. [caption id="attachment_15867" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Map of my May 9 trip on KY 89[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15842" align="alignright" width="300"] Kentucky Highway 89 south out of Winchester[/caption] I…
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11May 2016 by David Kravetz

The Wigwam Drive-In Restaurant – Ravenna, KY

Backroads Discoveries, Eateries, Family Travel, Kentucky, People Shots, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Staycations, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places
[caption id="attachment_15830" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sumoflam at the Wigwam Drive-in in Ravenna, KY[/caption] Earlier this week I was gazing over Facebook and came across a post by one of my friends about their trip to out of the way Ravenna, KY to eat at a place called the Wigwam Drive-In Restaurant.  Mind you, Ravenna is a town of just a bit over 600 fine folks.  The town sits along the Kentucky River in Estill County, KY and KY Highway 52 runs through the town (it was called the "Wam" back in the 50s and was a popular cruising road -- think American Graffiti).  The town borders the larger sister city of Irvine, which has a population of a little over 3000. [caption id="attachment_15831" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Welcome to Ravenna, KY[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15824"…
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10May 2016 by David Kravetz

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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