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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A is for Adventure – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Car Art, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Idaho, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Mountains, Murals, Ohio, Pelicans, Place Names, Post Offices, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Staycations, Tennessee, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 2, Wanderlust, Washington, Wyoming
What is April A to Z? Every April, bloggers from all over the world participate in the April A to Z blog challenge, and you can too. It’s a lot of fun and it’s a great way to meet other bloggers. To play along, all you do is make a blog post for each letter of the alphabet during April, then visit as many other bloggers as you can. Today is day one of the A to Z bloggers challenge. I am focusing on Wanderlust and for my first post I will look at what is probably the biggest result of wanderlust. That is, adventure. Those that travel in most cases do so for the adventure. Indeed, the opportunity to discover new things, experience new things and taste new things…
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Roadside America Celebrates 20 Years on the Web today

Backroads Discoveries, Big John, Bucket List Trips, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, Large Statues, Muffler Man, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Roadside Attractions, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal, Vintage Neon
My friends at Roadside America (www.roadsideamerica.com) are celebrating 20 years on the World Wide Web today (September 1, 2016.) [caption id="attachment_17149" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Home page from 1996 kickoff of Roadside America website[/caption] I have actually been using their site since the beginning and over the years have submitted stories, updates and photographs from my travels to the 50 United States and parts of Canada. [caption id="attachment_8762" align="alignnone" width="960"] Sumoflam and Big Fish in Bena, MN, one of the 1000s of sites covered[/caption] There are many travel sites on the web, but this, in my opinion, tops them all!! If there is a quirky, offbeat, unique roadside attraction on the back roads of America, chances are you can read about it and see photos on its site. I am honored to…
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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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A to Z Challenge: The Z Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Landscapes, Montana, Museums, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 2, US Highway 40
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 Z Towns Zelienople, Pennsylvania [caption id="attachment_5380" align="alignnone" width="291"] Welcome to Zelienople-Harmony, PA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5378" align="alignnone" width="300"] Harmony Museum - Harmony, Pennsylvania[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5375" align="alignnone" width="300"] Old Log Cabin - Harmony, Pennsylvania[/caption] On a trip to New…
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A to Z Challenge: The Y Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bison, Bucket List Trips, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Family Travel, Geologic Formations, Montana, Mountains, National Parks, Nebraska, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 412, US Highway 81, US Highway 89, Vintage Neon, Water Towers
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 Y Towns Yampa, Colorado [caption id="attachment_15804" align="alignnone" width="300"] Yampa, Colorado[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15807" align="alignnone" width="300"] Old Royal Hotel/Bar in Yampa, CO (burned down in Jan 2015)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4491" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sunset as seen from Yampa, CO[/caption] [caption…
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A to Z Challenge: The S Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Antsy McClain, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Bucket List Trips, California, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Landscapes, Montana, Mountains, Murals, Museums, New Hampshire, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Route 66, Selfies, Town Names, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Wall Art, Wisconsin, Yard Art
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 S Towns Steubenville, Ohio [caption id="attachment_8153" align="alignnone" width="300"] Welcome to Steubenville, OH[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8100" align="alignnone" width="300"] Fort Steuben Historical Site, Steubenville, OH[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8096" align="alignnone" width="300"] Market Street by Michael Wojczuk. This was the first mural painted in Steubenville[/caption]…
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A to Z Challenge: The R Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Iowa, Kentucky, Large Statues, Montana, Mountains, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, National Parks, New Mexico, North Dakota, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Route 66, Selfies, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 2, US Highway 212, US Highway 64, US Highway 87, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Yard Art
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 [caption width="300" id="attachment_15661" align="alignnone"] Let's Crash in Roswell wall art[/caption] [caption width="300" id="attachment_3278" align="alignnone"] Have a Coke and a Smile?? Coke machine in Roswell...[/caption] [caption width="300" id="attachment_15663" align="alignnone"] UFOs in Roswell[/caption] [caption width="300" id="attachment_15660"…
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A to Z Challenge: The N Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Big John, Bucket List Trips, California, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Illinois, Large Statues, Mississippi, Murals, Museums, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 101, US Highway 2, US Highway 61, Vintage Neon, Washington, Water Towers, Yard Art
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 N Towns Nicholson, Pennsylvania [caption id="attachment_2664" align="alignnone" width="300"] Tuckhannock Viaduct - Nicholson, Pennsylvania[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4582" align="alignnone" width="239"] Nicholson, Pennsylvania[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15579" align="alignnone" width="240"] The viaduct is dizzying when looking up from below[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15580" align="alignnone" width="300"] Tuckhannock Viaduct towers…
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A to Z Challenge: The M Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Big John, Bucket List Trips, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Illinois, Large Statues, Murals, Museums, New York, North Dakota, Ontario, Pennsylvania, People Shots, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Saskatchewan, Selfies, South Dakota, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 160, US Highway 19, US Highway 2, US Highway 89, Wall Art, Wisconsin
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 M Towns Mount Horeb, Wisconsin [caption id="attachment_779" align="alignnone" width="280"] Welcome to Mt. Horeb, WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15564" align="alignnone" width="300"] A giant troll sculpture greets you at the Mount Horeb Welcome Center. Created by Wally Keller[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15563" align="alignnone" width="225"] Ahhh..trolls[/caption]…
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