Towns of America A to Z: The B Towns #atozchallenge

Towns of America A to Z: The B Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alabama, Alberta, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Big Cities, Books, Bridges, Buildings, Barns and Houses, Burger Joints, California, Canada, Cities and Towns, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Eateries, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Japan, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Murals, Nature and Scenery, Nebraska, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oita, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Philippines, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, Signs and Billboards, South Dakota, Tersier, Texas, Tourist Traps, Travel Blogging, Travel in Japan, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 2, US Highway 212, Wanderlust, Water Towers, Welcome Signs, Whispering Giants, Wisconsin
It's another year and another opportunity to provide a fun VIRTUAL road trip.  For the 2022 A to Z  Challenge, I will be taking you, the readers, to some of the many places I have visited.  Almost every little town to every big city has something unique to offer visitors. I hope to take you to some of these places across the United States, and even to Canada, the Philippines and Japan on some select posts, for a virtual trip to see places you may not know about. Today's post covers a number of towns and cities that begin with the letter B. These are all over the place, including the Philippines and Japan!!  Although I have a ton of B places, here is a small collection for your to…
Read More
Sakura – A Cherry Blossom Story

Sakura – A Cherry Blossom Story

#TBT, Flowers, Fuji City, Gifu, Japan, Kentucky, Nature and Scenery, Ogaki, Oita, People Shots, Selfies, Travel in Japan
[caption id="attachment_30917" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sakura - Cherry Blossoms[/caption] Back when I was in first grade (around 1963 or 1964) I learned a song in school.  It was a Japanese song called "Sakura Sakura," which means Cherry Blossom, Cherry Blossom.  It was a springtime song and the class sang it for the parents.  I have never forgotten the words to the song over all these years.  However, as a young child, it didn't even dawn on me that someday I would go to Japan and experience the Cherry Blossoms myself! In Lexington, where I reside, the cherry blossoms are in bloom, especially at the Lexington Cemetery.  Each year as I go see them, I recite the words to the song again. Translated, this simple song says: Cherry Blossoms, Cherry Blossoms In…
Read More

A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The U Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Books, Bucket List Trips, Burger Joints, California, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Dinosaurs, Giant Things, Idaho, Iowa, Japan, Japanese Shrines, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Missouri, Museums, Offbeat Places, Oita, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, Texas, Town Names, Travel in Japan, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal
In 2018 I  will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada.  I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America's Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.   Usa Shrine - Usa, Japan [caption id="attachment_6975" align="alignnone" width="400"] Family at Usa Shrine in Oita Prefecture ca. 1990[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6982" align="alignnone" width="400"] Daughter Amaree in Usa, Japan 1987[/caption] Uncasville, Connecticut [caption id="attachment_14706" align="alignnone" width="400"] Wells Dinosaur Haven in Uncasville, CT[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15085" align="alignnone" width="400"] Sumoflam and Bronto at Wells Dinosaur Haven in Uncasville, CT[/caption] Upper Lake, California [caption id="attachment_12906" align="alignnone" width="400"] Welcome to Upper Lake, CA[/caption] [caption…
Read More

A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The O Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Arizona, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Bike Trails, Books, Bucket List Trips, California, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Dolphin, Dream Highways, Eateries, Found Metal Sculptures, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Junk Art, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oita, Oklahoma, Ontario, Ostrich, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Travel in Japan, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Wanderlust, Washington, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art, Zoos
In 2018 I  will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada.  I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America's Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.   Only, Tennessee [caption id="attachment_787" align="alignnone" width="400"] This way to Only, TN[/caption] [caption id="attachment_60" align="alignnone" width="400"] The one and only Only Baptist Church[/caption] Oak Creek Canyon - Sedona, Arizona [caption id="attachment_11949" align="alignnone" width="355"] Sumoflam at the Oak Creek Canyon Overlook in 1982[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11952" align="alignnone" width="259"] A Century plant in bloom with the scenic Red Rock country of Sedona below. This was taken at the top of Schnebly…
Read More

A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The K Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bike Trails, Bucket List Trips, City Skylines, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Found Metal Sculptures, Idaho, Illinois, Japanese Castles, Japanese Shrines, Kansas, Kentucky, Kumamoto, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Lewis and Clark Sites, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Mythical Creatures, National Parks, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oita, Ontario, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, South Dakota, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming
In 2018 I  will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada.  I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America's Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.   Kutter's Cheese Factory - Corfu, New York [caption id="attachment_5332" align="alignnone" width="400"] Kutter's Cheese in Corfu, New York[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5333" align="alignnone" width="400"] Mural at Kutter's Cheese Factory in Corfu, New York[/caption] Kaskaskia Dragon - Vandalia, Illinois [caption id="attachment_6687" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sumoflam and the Fire Breathing Dragon of Kaskaskia in Vandalia, IL[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6638" align="alignnone" width="400"] Kaskaskia Dragon Breathes Fire in Vandalia, IL[/caption] Ketchikan, Alaska [caption id="attachment_17578" align="alignnone" width="400"]…
Read More

A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The B Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alligators, Animals, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Big John, Bison, Blue Heron, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Buffalo, Burger Joints, Cross Country Road Trips, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oita, Ontario, Oregon, Philippines, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Television Shows, Tennessee, Texas, The Beatles, Town Names, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Virginia, Washington, Water Towers, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art
In 2018 I  will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada.  I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America's Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.   Blueberry, WI [caption id="attachment_8703" align="alignnone" width="400"] Old Antique Store in Blueberry, WI[/caption] Brazos Bend State Park - Needville, TX [caption id="attachment_11297" align="alignnone" width="400"] Brazos Bend State Park, Texas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11290" align="alignnone" width="400"] Another Gator in Brazos State Park[/caption] Bruce Windmill Farm - Woodstock, ON [caption id="attachment_544" align="alignnone" width="400"] Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill in Woodstock, ON is One of Ontario's premier "roadart" places[/caption] Bison/Buffalo - Yellowstone National Park…
Read More

Blogging A to Z Challenge – The Complete List for 2017 – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Alligators, Amish Country, Animals, Antelope, Antsy McClain, Arizona, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Big Cities, Bike Trails, Birds, Bison, Blue Heron, Bobby Cochran, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Buffalo, Burger Joints, California, Canada, Car Art, Cebu, City Skylines, Colorado, Connecticut, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Deer, Delaware, Dinosaurs, Dragons, Dream Highways, Eagles, Eateries, Edgar Cruz, Egret, Elk, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Farmland, Florida, Found Metal Sculptures, Fox, Fuji City, Geese, Geologic Formations, Georgia, Ghost Signs, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, Graffiti Walls, Hawaii, Himeji, Hiroshima, Horse Art, Horses, Idaho, Illinois, Indian Ruins, Indiana, Iowa, Japan, Japanese Castles, Japanese Shrines, Kansas, Kentucky, Kyoto, Landscapes, Large Statues, Lewis and Clark Sites, Lighthouses, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico, Michael Kelsey, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, Nagasaki, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ogaki, Ohio, Oita, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Patti Hall, Pauly Zarb, Pelicans, Pennsylvania, People Shots, Philippines, Place Names, Post Offices, prairie dogs, Pronghorn Antelope, Quirky Things, Random Thoughts, Rhode Island, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Sandhill Cranes, Saskatchewan, Seagulls, Selfies, Sendai, South Carolina, South Dakota, Squirrels, States and Provinces, Street Art, Street People, Swamps, Television Shows, Tennessee, Texas, Tommy Emmanuel, Town Names, Train Bridges, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Tulum, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal, Utah, Vermont, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Volcanic Sites, Wall Art, Wanderlust, Washington, Washington DC, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art
During the month of April I participated with nearly 2000 other bloggers worldwide in the "Blogging from A to Z Challenge" which is now in its 7th year. This was my second year to participate and this year's theme for my series was "Wanderlust."  As a "Travelographer," my posts tend to be photo heavy.  I travel and take loads of photos. This is my way of sharing the wonders of the back roads of America. [caption id="attachment_17824" align="aligncenter" width="523"] Corner of This Way and That Way in Lake Jackson, TX[/caption] Following are links to the complete A to Z set.  Just click on the banner for each and letter and enjoy the posts and the photos.  I hope all readers will Enjoy the Ride as much as I have enjoyed…
Read More

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…
Read More

#TBT – Oh the Places I’ve Been: Some Odds and Ends

#TBT, Alaska, Alberta, Antsy McClain, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, California, Canada, Caves and Caverns, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Florida, Fuji City, Fukuoka, Geologic Formations, Giant Twine Balls, Himeji, Hiroshima, Hot Springs, Illinois, Indian Ruins, Japanese Castles, Japanese Shrines, Kyoto, Landscapes, Mexico, Minnesota, Museums, Nagasaki, National Monuments, National Parks, New Mexico, New York, Ogaki, Oita, Ontario, Philippines, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Sendai, Tennessee, Tulum, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Washington DC
"You're on your own, and you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go!" - Dr. Seuss, Oh The Places You'll Go [caption id="attachment_12572" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Sumoflam at the White House - July 1990[/caption] As a Throwback Thursday menagerie, I thought I would throw in some of my odds and ends from the past...some going way back and some not so long ago.  I have been blessed to travel so many places and many of my travels happened long before I began writing about them.  So, here they are, a potpourri of places diverse.  ENJOY THE RIDE! [caption id="attachment_12627" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Mt. Fuji, Japan as seen from my airplane seat in 1990 as I flew to Tokyo from Oita.  Indeed, I soared to high…
Read More