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 R Towns

Roswell, New Mexico

How can I do a post about towns that start with the letter R and NOT include Roswell, New Mexico?  I can’t!!  Roswell is perhaps the most out of this world town in the United States (I’ll cover Vulcan, Alberta as Canada’s out of this world town in the V Towns post next week). On a return trip from Arizona, my daughter, son and grandchildren drove through Roswell and then home through Texas.  I didn’t write a post about this trip though I do have a number of photos from the trip on my Pinterest and SmugMug pages.  Roswell is a fun place!

Regent, North Dakota

Regent, North Dakota is the southern Gateway to the Enchanted Highway, one of the most amazing offbeat and quirky drives in the United States. The 32 mile drive features a number of pieces of the unique (and massive) artwork of retired Regent, ND school teacher Gary Greff who has taken on this effort in order to keep the small dying town from becoming a ghost town.  To me, this is a Top Ten Road Trip Destination.  One of my most popular posts on this blog is my complete photo/travel review of Regent and the Enchanted Highway.  Check it out – complete with maps, descriptions, mile points, satellite photos — its right HERE.

Rhinelander, Wisconsin

In 2012 I took a three day trip to Wisconsin with one of my daughters and her daughter.  We visited Jurustic Park (see my M Town Posts), Green Bay, Egg Harbor (see my E Town Posts) and also made our way north on US 51 until we hit US 8 and then headed east toward Rhinelander, also known as the “Heart of Hodag Country.”  What, pray tell, is a Hodag? There is a great unique writeup HERE. According to the Rhinelander website, the Hodag is a mysterious woodland creature that makes its home in the Rhinelander Area. Why the Hodag is only found in the Rhinelander Area is not certain. However, many people believe that it is the clean lakes, dense forests and incredible natural beauty that ties the Hodag to the Rhinelander Area.  See more about this trip HERE.

Rabbit Hash, Kentucky

One of the country’s uniquely named towns is a small Ohio River town known as Rabbit Hash, Kentucky.  According to the Rabbit Hash website: “The town’s name, “Rabbit Hash” is said to have originated during the flood of 1847 when the abundant local rabbit population was driven to higher ground and became a food staple in a special stew called “hash.” Little documented history of Rabbit Hash actually survives, primarily because devastating Ohio River floods in 1884, 1913 and 1937 deluged the little town and ruined many records.”  See more about my 2008 visit to Rabbit Hash.  A fun side trip for anyone!  Read it HERE.

Raton, New Mexico

Head south on Interstate 25 out of Trinidad, Colorado, cross into New Mexico and you come into the throwback touristy town of Raton, NM, which is also at the intersection of US Highways 64 and 87. The town is dotted with 50s and 60s style neon signs and motels, a nice retro downtown area and a great Visitor’s Center. You can see more about my Colorado/New Mexico trip and my visit to Raton HERE.

Red Lodge, Montana

Red Lodge, Montana is one of the gateways to the Beartooth Scenic Highway (US Highway 212), perhaps one of the most scenic and splendid high mountain drives in the country. The town itself is beautiful, though touristy as it also promotes itself as a Gateway to Yellowstone National Park as well. Read about my 2014 Beartooth Highway and Red Lodge experience in more detail HERE.

Riverside, Iowa (Honorable Mention)

If you are a Star Trek fan than you know about Riverside, Iowa.  It is most likely the only town you can find that is the FUTURE BIRTHPLACE of someone, in this case, Captain James T. Kirk, who is scheduled to be born on March 2, 2228. Touting itself as the place “Where the Trek Begins,” you can find some Star Trek memorabilia, a Starship replica and more.

Rugby, North Dakota (Honorable Mention)

You may think North Dakota is in the northern climes, but, actually, when considering North America, it is almost in the middle.  In fact, the small town of Rugby IS the Geographical Center of North America. Not too far off of US Highway 2 in North Dakota, its a good photo opportunity.  See more about my US Highway 2 Zip Trip across North Dakota HERE.

Rudyard, Montana (Honorable Mention)

Further west on US Highway 2 in Montana is the town of Rudyard. They claim to have 596 Nice People and 1 Old Sore Head as can be seen by the sign above. Even though the town is small, they also have a small museum, which apparently has some dinosaur-related things.  You can read more about the town and surrounding towns on Montana’s Hi-Line (US Highway 2) — HERE.

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