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 T Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Hot Springs, Idaho, Landscapes, Large Statues, Mississippi, Missouri, Murals, Museums, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, Selfies, South Dakota, Street Art, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 16, US Highway 160, US Highway 18, US Highway 377, US Highway 51, US Highway 61, US Highway 81, US Highway 89, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Water Towers, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, 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 towns.  To see what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The T Towns Tightwad, Missouri [caption id="attachment_201" align="alignnone" width="300"] Tightwad, Missouri[/caption] [caption id="attachment_14143" align="alignnone" width="300"] Then there is place called Tightwad in MO and they even have a bank![/caption] [caption id="attachment_206" align="alignnone" width="300"] Tightwad Fire Department[/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 K Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Alaska, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Farmland, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Ghost Signs, Graffiti Walls, Landscapes, Missouri, Montana, Murals, National Parks, Ontario, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, South Dakota, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 2, US Highway 30, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Water Towers, Wyoming, 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 K Towns Kemmerer, Wyoming [caption id="attachment_15493" align="alignnone" width="300"] Welcome to Kemmerer-Diamondville, Wyoming[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4434" align="alignnone" width="300"] US 30 east of Kemmerer/Diamondville[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15496" align="alignnone" width="300"] Harvey Jackson mural on a corner in Kemmerer, WY[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15494" align="alignnone" width="300"] Oregon…
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A to Z Challenge: The F Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Enchanted Highway, Giant Things, Large Statues, Minnesota, Montana, Murals, National Monuments, National Parks, North Dakota, Ohio, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, South Carolina, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 67, US Highway 87, US Highway 89, Volcanic Sites, Wall Art, West Virginia
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 F Towns Flagstaff, Arizona [caption id="attachment_11957" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sumoflam the Tour Guide in 1983 - taken in Arizona. Nava-Hopi was located in Flagstaff, AZ[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4565" align="alignnone" width="300"] Spacious skies over the Grand Canyon in Arizona[/caption]…
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A to Z Challenge: The C Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Amish Country, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Caves and Caverns, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Graffiti Walls, Illinois, Kentucky, Large Statues, Lighthouses, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Murals, Museums, National Parks, Ohio, Ontario, Place Names, prairie dogs, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 1, US Highway 89, Vintage Neon, Wall 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 towns, some known for their names, other for unique sites in town. To see what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The C Towns Cactus Flat, South Dakota [caption id="attachment_4015" align="alignnone" width="225"] Sumoflam with the Giant Prairie Dog - Cactus Flat, SD[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3953" align="alignnone" width="194"] Prairie…
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A to Z Challenge: The A Towns #atozchallenge

#TBT, A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Car Art, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Family Travel, Giant Things, Iowa, Large Statues, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, Texas, Throwback Thursday, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 61, Wall Art, 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, some known for their names, other for unique sites in town. To see what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link:  A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The A Towns Amarillo, Texas [caption id="attachment_5800" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sumoflam at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas in August 2013[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6709" align="alignnone" width="199"] Big Texan Steak…
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Traveling US Numbered Highways – Part I: An Overview and History

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Dream Highways, Family Travel, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, 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, Route 66, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 101, US Highway 2, US Highway 20, US Highway 212, US Highway 287, US Highway 61, US Highway 79, US Highway 89, US Highways, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
[caption id="attachment_8529" align="alignleft" width="300"] US 89 and US 2 meet up in northern Montana[/caption] When I was young and living in Albuquerque, NM in the 1960s, there were not many Interstate Highways.  Most of the country still relied on the U.S. Numbered Highway System. Even to this day I can recall our family drives along the iconic Route 66 out of Albuquerque to Gallup, NM and then, eventually, when we moved to Dallas in 1968 we took it all the way to Amarillo, TX.  Even at that young age I was already enamored by the maze of highways and the desire to see what lays along these long black roads with millions of white lines in the middle and endless telephone poles and wires along both sides.  I too remember…
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Finally Made It! All 50 US States – Sept. 2015

Alabama, Alaska, Antsy McClain, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Big Cities, Bucket List Trips, California, Caves and Caverns, City Skylines, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Dream Highways, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Farmland, Florida, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Georgia, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, Graffiti Walls, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indian Ruins, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Rhode Island, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Route 66, Selfies, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Houses, Unique Places, US Highway 101, US Highway 2, US Highway 212, US Highway 61, US Highway 89, Utah, Vermont, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art
WARNING-This is a long post. It took me nearly 59 years to get to all 50 states! [caption id="attachment_14144" align="alignleft" width="210"] Made it to State #50![/caption] On September 8, 2015, I set foot on the side of the road just north of Brattleboro, VT after we crossed over the Connecticut River from New Hampshire on Hwy 9. I got out and took a selfie of myself under a Welcome to Vermont sign.  I had finally set foot in my 50th US state...a nearly 59 year journey. Stay 3 or more nights & save up to 25% now! At participating hotels Following is a state by state chronicle of my nearly 59 year journey in order of states visited. [caption id="attachment_14142" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Four Corners - July 15, 1993[/caption] My 50…
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