01May 2017 by David Kravetz

Y is for Yard Art – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Burger Joints, Car Art, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Dinosaurs, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Horse Art, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Large Statues, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, South Dakota, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Wall Art, Wanderlust, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Yard Art
One of the more interesting things I look for on roadtrips as I pass through small communities on back roads is yard art.  Funky art and decorations in people's yards, on their fences, on their houses. People have ingenuity.  Some people have junk.  But, as the saying goes, "One Man's Junk is Another Man's Treasure." [caption id="attachment_2184" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Unique Yard Art in Parker, Idaho[/caption] For me, Yard Art is anything unique and unusual.  It could be chain saw art - wood carvings made with chain saws.  It could be art made from scrap metal.  It could be, like the photo above, a hodge podge of signs, junk or other things.  Following are some selections of yard art I have taken over the years.  Don't judge...some of these people love…
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01May 2017 by David Kravetz

X is for Xtreme Skies – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Farmland, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, National Parks, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Sandhill Cranes, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
OK.  I know.... Xtreme is not really a dictionary word, but many advertisers use it and there are company names and even a band name.  So, it is fair game. This post is about xtreme (extreme) skies - unique cloud formations, colorful skies, sunrises, sunsets, sunbeams, moon shots, rainbows and more.  A traveler on the highways of America always sees the skies.  It can't be helped. For me, I actually pay attention to them for the skies present their own fascinating form of art. [caption id="attachment_11801" align="aligncenter" width="568"] Shining sky above US 79/190 in central Texas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8475" align="alignleft" width="300"] A lovely view of the Big Sky in Montana as seen from US Route 2 west of Bainville, MT[/caption] For this post, I will provide an assortment of photos I…
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30Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

W is for Wildlife – #atozchallenge

Adventure, Alligators, Animals, Antelope, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Bison, Blue Heron, Buffalo, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Deer, Delaware, Eagles, Egret, Elk, Fox, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, Oregon, Pelicans, Pennsylvania, prairie dogs, Pronghorn Antelope, Rocky Mountains, Sandhill Cranes, Seagulls, Squirrels, Swamps, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Virginia, Wanderlust, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
There are not many better things on a back road trip than running into unexpected wildlife. There is an abundance of birds and animals to be discovered on the road.  For me, my camera is always at the ready for the chance meeting of some interesting animal or bird. [caption id="attachment_17754" align="aligncenter" width="584"] Sandhill Cranes fly over high plains near Dell, MT[/caption] One such incident happened on a gravel road near Dell, Montana.  I was on the lookout for bison as I drive along Ted Turner's massive bison ranch.  While stopped to look I heard a strange bird call that I had never heard and shortly thereafter a pair of large birds came zipping by.  I got some shots, but wasn't sure what I had until I got to the…
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29Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

V is for Vistas – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, California, City Skylines, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Family Travel, Farmland, Geologic Formations, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Lighthouses, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Swamps, Tennessee, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Utah, Virginia, Wanderlust, Washington, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Vistas are the joy of back roads travel. Every corner, every crest of a hill, every mile offers a new vista.  And this country has some spectacular and splendid vistas. Over the years I have seen some amazing vistas. Whether they be in the deserts of the southwest, the high plains of Montana or on the oceans in the east or the west, the views are endless and inspiring.  Following are some of the vistas I have enjoyed and their locations.  Enjoy the ride and the views. [caption id="attachment_4039" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Sunset at the Badlands in South Dakota[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2194" align="aligncenter" width="660"] St. Anthony Sand Dunes in Idaho[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15120" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A view of the Portland Head Light in Maine[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18082" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Hills of Shenandoah Valley in…
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27Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

T is Travel Abroad – #atozchallenge

#TBT, A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Cebu, Family Travel, Fuji City, Fukuoka, Giant Things, Himeji, Hiroshima, Indian Ruins, Japan, Japanese Castles, Japanese Shrines, Kyoto, Landscapes, Mexico, Nagasaki, Oita, Philippines, Selfies, Sendai, Tersier, Throwback Thursday, Travel in Japan, Tulum, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wanderlust, Water Buffalo
For most of my 250+ blog posts on my Less Beaten Paths Blog, I have discussed the back roads of America and Canada. But for today's post in the A-to-Z challenge, I want to note some of my other travels outside of the country. I would like to say I'm a world traveler, but I have yet to visit Europe or Australia or New Zealand or South America. But, I have been very fortunate to have lived in Japan for a number of years. From 1987 to 1991, my family also lives there with me. I have also spent a number of weeks working in the Philippines and spend some time working in China near Shanghai and Suzhou. Finally, I should note that I have also visited the mainland of…
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24Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

Q is for Quirky – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Bucket List Trips, Burger Joints, California, Car Art, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Horse Art, Iowa, Large Statues, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Yard Art
There is a difference between quirky and offbeat in my mind.  Quirky is typically off the chain and unexpected, or even downright weird.  On the other hand, as noted in my O is for Offbeat post, the offbeat and odd things are typically recognizable. Obviously, there is a fine line between what is quirky and what is offbeat.  I think we all make those determinations ourselves.  In this post, I will offer up a few Quirky things...those that I think are beyond offbeat and into the realm of quirky. [caption id="attachment_12871" align="aligncenter" width="485"] "Cyclisk" - Obelisk made out of bicycle parts in Santa Rosa, CA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_12834" align="alignleft" width="225"] Sumoflam at the base of "Cyclisk"[/caption] I'll start off with a biggie...a giant obelisk made completely of bicycle parts.  Why quirky? …
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19Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

N is for National Parks & Monuments – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, California, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indian Ruins, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Travel with grandchildren, Unique Places, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wyoming
The US National Park System has 417 official units throughout the country including 59 National Parks, 87 National Monuments, 19 National Preserves, 51 National Historic Parks, 78 National Historic Sites, 4 National Battlefield Parks, 9 National Military Parks, 9 National Battlefields, 30 National Memorials and a number of other National sites including National Rivers, National Seashores, National Lakeshores, National Parkways and National Trails. [caption id="attachment_9813" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Bison relax along Lava Creek in Yellowstone while pronghorned antelope look on from the background[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10764" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Sumoflam and Cannons at Vicksburg National Military Park[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16830" align="alignright" width="300"] Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley NP, Ohio[/caption] Officially, the National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration…
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17Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

M is for Mountains – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Mountains, National Monuments, National Parks, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Travel Blogging, Unique Places, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming
I love the mountains.  I spent a good part of my life in the mountains - New Mexico, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Arizona.  These are the BIG mountains. Having lived in Kentucky for the past 25 years, I hear of people that live in "the mountains of Kentucky" or heading to "the mountains of West Virginia." In my perspective these are more like hills. But, by the broader definition, there are mountains in states like Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia.  Maybe even Tennessee. [caption id="attachment_4624" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Purple Mountain Majesties - Sawtooth range in Central Idaho[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17974" align="alignright" width="200"] Here I am at the Sandia Overlook near Albuquerque in 1964[/caption] When I take trips to the Western US, I always try to make an effort to get to the…
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17Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

L is for Love Traveling With Grandchildren – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Bike Trails, Bucket List Trips, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Geologic Formations, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Landscapes, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, National Monuments, National Parks, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Texas, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wanderlust, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin
I am rich...very rich.  Not in money, but rather rich in experiences and rich in grandchildren.  As the Proverb says "Children are like arrows. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them." At age 60 I have been blessed to have 10 grandchildren (so far). These are my joy and I am so grateful. And, besides loving them to death, I have also passed on the fascination of wanderlust.  Most of my grandchildren are already well traveled thanks to my daughters and sons that have continued the tradition of getting on the road and seeing the world. [caption id="attachment_17948" align="aligncenter" width="583"] With some family and geandkidz in Port Orchard, WA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_14653" align="alignleft" width="300"] Heading east with the grandkidz![/caption] I have had numerous opportunities to join my…
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14Apr 2017 by David Kravetz

K is for Kentucky – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Backroads Discoveries, Blue Heron, Bridges, Eagles, Farmland, Horses, Kentucky, Landscapes, Museums, National Parks, Roadside Attractions, Sandhill Cranes, Selfies, Staycations, Street Art, Television Shows, Town Names, Train Bridges, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Waterfalls
One word: Staycation My family moved to Kentucky with in 1993. We moved from the western United States and had not lived in a humid, green environment since our time in Japan in the late 1980s. [caption id="attachment_17836" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Kentucky the Beautiful[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17860" align="alignright" width="178"] Kentucky Backroads[/caption] Like many others, when we heard the word Kentucky, we thought about the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Kentucky bourbon. There was not much else to really understand or know about Kentucky. Honestly, looking back I can say that our move to Kentucky was one of the best things we ever did. Kentucky is a beautiful and diverse state. Living in Lexington, which is the Horse Capital of the World, we are surrounded by beautiful horse farms. In fact, I…
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