Larry Vennard's Iron Sculpture Park in Centralia, Missouri

07Oct 2013 by David Kravetz

Larry Vennard’s Iron Sculpture Park in Centralia, Missouri

Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Missouri, Mythical Creatures, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Yard Art

[caption id="attachment_6414" align="aligncenter" width="199"] Larry Vennard - Scrap Metal Artist, Centralia, Missouri[/caption] In September I was traveling back home and on the way had the opportunity to stop at a small farm north of Centralia, Missouri on Highway T to visit scrap metal artist Larry Vennard, see his "Original Highway 'T' Rex" and a number of other pieces of his "Outside Art Sculpture Park." I mentioned him in my blog post about my trip back from Omaha, Nebraska. But, he deserves his own blog entry much like my blog post about "Jurustic Park" in Wisconsin. In the tradition of other "Outside Art", he has dinosaurs, animals and mythical creatures all made from scrap metal (see one of my most popular posts entitled Yard Art: Creativity with Scrap Metal, Chain Saw…

02Oct 2013 by David Kravetz

A 5 Day Midwest Adventure – Day 4: Omaha, Council Bluffs and offbeat Central Missouri

Animals, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Birds, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Giant Things, Illinois, Iowa, Large Statues, Nebraska, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, Squirrels, States and Provinces, Television Shows, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wildflowers, Yard Art

[caption id="attachment_6386" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Home of Sliced Bread - Chillicothe, Missouri[/caption] After a good day of rest in Nebraska City, we were off the next morning. My daughter was to meet her friends at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha (which by many reports is one of the Top Ten Zoos in America) and I was going to visit some places in Council Bluffs while they were all at the zoo. I actually visited the Henry Doorly Zoo in 2012 during the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials though I didn't write any blog posts about the visit. So, I will include some of my photos from my visit as well as a couple of my daughter's photos. After my visit to Council Bluffs we were then to make our way east …

20Sep 2013 by David Kravetz

A 5 Day Midwest Adventure – Day 2: Walcott, IA to Nebraska City, NE

Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Iowa, Nebraska, Roadside Attractions, Television Shows, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wildflowers

[caption id="attachment_6137" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Welcome to Nebraska[/caption] Day 2 of my trip with Marissa would take us through Iowa and into Nebraska. I promised to be a fun day of driving the backroads of the Midwest (kind of....) View Larger Map - Walcott, IA to Nebraska City, NE With the Grandkidz with us, every morning was an early one, so we were on the road in Walcott fairly early. First thing I saw as I stepped out of the hotel was this big semi carrying a blade for a wind turbine. This would set the stage for some subsequent visits along the road this day. You never really know how big these are until you have a frame of reference, like a huge truck. [caption id="attachment_6061" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Truck with…

18Sep 2013 by David Kravetz

A 5 Day Midwest Adventure – Day 1: Lexington, KY to Walcott, IA

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Large Statues, Roadside Attractions, States and Provinces, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Yard Art

[caption id="attachment_5990" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Danville, Illinois[/caption] On September 9, 2013 I had the opportunity to accompany my daughter and three grand kids on a an adventure across the midwest from Kentucky to Omaha, Nebraska. She wanted to visit her close friend there and needed a "tour planner and driver." I was free and able to make the journey. All totaled, we spent 5 days on the road visiting spots in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. This post covers our adventures on Day 1 as we made our way to Walcott, Iowa, home of the World's Largest Truck Stop. View Larger Map - Lexington, KY to Walcott, IA We left plenty early so that we could hit Indianapolis by early morning with the intent to surprise the three grand kids…

01Sep 2013 by David Kravetz

Sumoflam’s Guide to Planning an Offbeat Road Trip

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Large Statues, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, North Dakota, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Yard Art

[caption id="attachment_5889" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Learn How to Get There[/caption] I love to travel the back roads of America. I also love to see Offbeat Attractions. Of course, I must drop by those strange named towns (see photo above). But, I also want to visit historical sites, National Parks, scenic locations, covered bridges and more that may be along the way. So, in this post I will lay out the "Sumoflam Guide" and the process I go about in planning almost all of my trips. Hopefully, you as the readers will be able to glean some helpful information in your plans and do as I do.....ENJOY THE RIDE! WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO? [caption id="attachment_5890" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Where Are We Going? (This is in Millersburg, Ohio)[/caption] For the purpose of…

13Aug 2013 by David Kravetz

Car Art: Cars in art around the US

Antsy McClain, Backroads Discoveries, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Washington

One of the more unique American traditions along the Less Beaten Paths is the recycling of auto parts for art. Indeed, a couple of the most famous roadside attractions in the US are made from cars. This post will look at a few pieces of "car art" that I have seen over the years and, then, at the end, I will note a few others that are out there and worth a visit from all of us -- some that I hope to get to over the next couple of years. [caption id="attachment_5769" align="aligncenter" width="239"] "Spindle" by Dustin Shuler was in Cermak Plaza in Berwyn, Illinois until it was removed in May 2008[/caption] Probably one of the two most famous Car Art pieces that I am aware of, this car…

15Jul 2013 by David Kravetz

Road Trip: Dallas to Lexington, KY via Branson, MO

Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Illinois, Kentucky, Large Statues, Missouri, Oklahoma, Roadside Attractions, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places

[caption id="attachment_4929" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Scrap Metal Horses by Doug Owen in Durant, Oklahoma[/caption] After being gone for nearly a month in Idaho and then a few days in Dallas for work in mid June (2013), I took the final leg of this adventure and a two day trip to return home to Lexington via Branson, Missouri, where my wife was visiting with her sister. This would turn out to be another fun adventure as I traveled through Oklahoma and the Ozarks. Following is the route I took for the trip. I left in the afternoon and arrived about midnight in Branson. View Larger Map - Dallas, TX to Branson, MO I headed straight up US 75 to Denison and while there at least got a glimpse of the HUGE Eisenhower…

12Jul 2013 by David Kravetz

Sumoflam Flashback: JFK the Twine Ball Man of Lake Nebagamon, WI

Antsy McClain, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, People Shots, Roadside Attractions, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wisconsin

[caption id="attachment_4897" align="aligncenter" width="239"] James Frank Kotera - JFK - The Twine Ball Man of Lake Nebagamon, WI[/caption] In this Flashback Edition of Less Beaten Paths, I take you back to August 2007 when I visited with James Frank Kotera in the town of Highlands, near Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. Kotera, who just refers to himself as JFK -- the most famous JFK -- claims to have the world's largest ball of twine and my son and I had to see it. And trust me, it as an out of the way drive worth taking!! (Don't miss the video below!!!) View Larger Map - JFK, The Twine Ball Man -8009 S. Oakdale Rd., Lake Nebagamon, WI [caption id="attachment_4911" align="aligncenter" width="266"] Satellite shot of JFK's place. The big building on the left…

07Jul 2013 by David Kravetz

Two Days to Dallas – Day 2: Eagle, Colorado to Dallas

Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Bison, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Car Art, City Skylines, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Flowers, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Horse Art, Horses, Landscapes, Large Statues, Mountains, Murals, National Monuments, New Mexico, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 24, US Highway 87, Vintage Neon, Volcanic Sites, Wall Art, Wildflowers

[caption id="attachment_4752" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Heading south on US 24 towards the Sangre de Cristo range[/caption] I began Day 2 of my trip from Idaho to Dallas with an early morning in Eagle, Colorado. It would turn out to be a long day and I would actually end up stopping overnight in Wichita Falls, TX due to the length of the day. Following is the route all the way to the Dallas area. View Larger Map - Eagle, Colorado to Dallas, TX After a late night into Eagle, I had no idea what I would see when I awoke. I had an early start, at about 6:30 AM and when I walked out of the hotel, this is what I saw... [caption id="attachment_4658" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Morning view from Hotel in Eagle,…

04Jul 2013 by David Kravetz

America the Beautiful: The Song in Photos for the 4th of July

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, California, City Skylines, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Dream Highways, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Farmland, Florida, Geologic Formations, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, LDS Temples, Lewis and Clark Sites, Lighthouses, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Murals, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Route 66, South Carolina, South Dakota, States and Provinces, Tennessee, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wildflowers, Wisconsin, Wyoming

[caption id="attachment_4643" align="aligncenter" width="239"] Nicholson, Pennsylvania[/caption] I have traveled the broad expanses of this beautiful nation we call America and have seen and enjoyed this country that I call home. On this July 4th birthday, I would like to celebrate by adding photos to the words of the song "America the Beautiful", which was written by American Poet Katharine Lee Bates. All photography by David "Sumoflam" Kravetz [caption id="attachment_4632" align="aligncenter" width="183"] Katharine Lee Bates[/caption] AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL [caption id="attachment_4633" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sunrise over Keller, Texas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4622" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Badlands of South Dakota[/caption] Oh Beautiful, for Spacious Skies [caption id="attachment_4621" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Spacious Skies over South Dakota[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4626" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Spacious Skies over the Grand Canyon in Arizona[/caption] For Amber Waves of Grain [caption id="attachment_4608" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Amber Waves…

Category: Cross Country Road Trips