Signs and Billboards – Page 30 – Less Beaten Paths of America

17Dec 2013 by David Kravetz

Louisville and Jeffersonville: Ohio River Sisters

Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Bridges, Car Art, City Skylines, Family Travel, Giant Things, Indiana, Kentucky, Large Statues, Mythical Creatures, Train Bridges, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art

[caption id="attachment_7599" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Jeffersonville, Indiana[/caption] Two different cities and a shared river and bridge. In September 2013 one of my daughters and her friends needed some assistance getting to Louisville and had some business to take care of. So, with camera in hand, we were off and they did their stuff while I drove around Louisville and then across the river to Jeffersonville. Here are a few the things I saw in a three hour jaunt thru two towns.... [caption id="attachment_7605" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Louisville as seen from across the Ohio River in Jeffersonville, IN[/caption] This stretch of the Ohio River is the widest and deepest part (about 23 feet) of the Ohio River. [caption id="attachment_7534" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Louisville Slugger headquarters - Louisville, Kentucky[/caption] A drive down West Main Street…

20Nov 2013 by David Kravetz

New Wall Art in Lexington, KY – Part II More PRHBTN works completed

Backroads Discoveries, Eateries, Giant Things, Horse Art, Kentucky, Mythical Creatures, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wall Art

[caption id="attachment_7456" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sumoflam stares down a character from the huge mural just completed by British urban artist Phlegm[/caption] A few days ago I posted about a number of new and recent murals that now grace the walls of buildings in Lexington (see the post here). Some of these, including the massive Lincoln mural, are part of the annual PRHBTN celebration of art forms that have been criminalized, marginalized, and under-appreciated in the mainstream. In the past week since the completion of the Lincoln project, four other giant works have been completed by three different urban artists including Phlegm from Britain, GAIA from Baltimore, and Odeith, from Portugal. All of these works are just a tad off the beaten path, but well worth seeking out. [caption id="attachment_7458" align="aligncenter" width="512"]…

13Nov 2013 by David Kravetz

New Wall Art in Lexington, Kentucky – PRHBTN and LexArts

Backroads Discoveries, Giant Things, Horse Art, Kentucky, Mythical Creatures, Roadside Attractions, Unexpected Discoveries, Wall Art

[caption id="attachment_7333" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Sumoflam at the new Lincoln Mural (not quite finished) on Veteran's Day 2013[/caption] Sometimes there can be a treasure trove in your own backyard. In the past few months Lexington, Kentucky has been the recipient of some new and amazing wall art...all fairly large projects, including an amazing HUGE piece on the back of the Kentucky Theatre. And there will be more on the way -- all part of the PRHBTN Project in Lexington. According to it's Website, "PRHBTN is an annual celebration of art forms that have been criminalized, marginalized, and under-appreciated in the mainstream, featuring an exhibition of these works in a space that complements the raw, powerful nature of the message and the artistry of each piece." [caption id="attachment_7338" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Lily and the Silly…

18Oct 2013 by David Kravetz

Vintage Neon Everywhere

Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, South Dakota, States and Provinces, Tennessee, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

[caption id="attachment_6800" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Old Mojo Gas Sign - Rock Springs, Wyoming[/caption] Everywhere I go I see old neon. These signs remind me of the my youthful days in the 1960s and 70s when we traveled. Alas, for many, the only signs they see are the same unoriginal fast food, gas station and motel chain signs all over the place. But, in the by gone days there were few McDonald's and Motel 6 spots. Instead, there were the little cozy motels with the old metal chairs in the front and the unique neon signs. There were the local burger joints with their big shiny signs. And there were the drive in movie theaters and the downtown theatres with their unique names. Here is a trip down memory lane with neon…

13Oct 2013 by David Kravetz

A 5 Day Midwest Adventure: Day 5 – Columbia, St. Louis, Ra66it Ranch and a Fire Breathing Dragon

Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Large Statues, Muffler Man, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, People Shots, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, States and Provinces, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Wildflowers

[caption id="attachment_6504" align="aligncenter" width="512"] University of Missouri - Columbia, Missouri[/caption] The final day of our five day whirlwind trip to Nebraska and back began in Columbia, Missouri and took us through St. Louis and then some interesting spots in Illinois along old Route 66 and then eventually home to Lexington. Following is our final day route: View Larger Map - Columbia, MO to Lexington, KY Columbia was a pleasant surprise. A beautiful college town with lots of murals and color and historical buildings, like the administration building for the University of Missouri (shown above). Before we headed down the road towards St. Louis, we took a brief drive around Columbia. Here are a few shots: [caption id="attachment_6495" align="aligncenter" width="199"] Colorful Phone Booth in downtown Columbia, MO[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6496" align="aligncenter" width="300"]…

13Oct 2013 by David Kravetz

Henry’s Ra66it Ranch – Staunton, Illinois

Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Car Art, Found Metal Sculptures, Illinois, Large Statues, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, States and Provinces, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Yard Art

[caption id="attachment_6605" align="aligncenter" width="163"] Historic Route 66 in Illinois[/caption] This Post is actually a continuation of my Post on a bigger road trip in the Midwest. But, due to the nature and value of this place in Americana, I have created a separate post. Henry's Ra66it Ranch (the 66 instead of "bb" is intentional) celebrates Route 66 and the people along the highway with its emporium of highway and trucking memorabilia that includes a collection of Campbell's "Humpin' to Please" trailers next to a replica of a vintage gas station. [caption id="attachment_6606" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Henry's Ra66it Ranch in Staunton, IL[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6631" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Official Route 66 Roadside Attraction[/caption] This is one of those vintage Americana places, even though it has not been around for much more than 10-15 years.…

01Oct 2013 by David Kravetz

A 5 Day Midwest Adventure – Day 3: Hanging around Nebraska City, NE

Animals, Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Car Art, Eateries, Giant Things, Nebraska, People Shots, Roadside Attractions, Squirrels, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Yard Art

[caption id="attachment_6180" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Old Car - Nebraska City, Nebraska[/caption] After two days of hard driving with three children, we were ready for a brief break. Marissa's friends live near Nebraska City, so we stayed here for a couple of nights. After a good night's rest, I took them over to the Arbor Day Farm so that they could enjoy each others company. Nebraska City is also the home of Arbor Day, which is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. It originated in Nebraska City United States by J. Sterling Morton. The first Arbor Day was held in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. [caption id="attachment_6254" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Arbor Day Farm Tree House - 50 feet tall (from arbordayfarm.org)[/caption] I didn't attend the Arbor…

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…

02Jul 2013 by David Kravetz

Two Days to Dallas: Day 1 – Idaho Falls, Idaho to Eagle, Colorado

Antelope, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Farmland, Flowers, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Graffiti Walls, Idaho, Landscapes, Large Statues, Mountains, Murals, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Street Art, Town Names, Train Bridges, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Wildflowers, Wyoming, Yard Art

[caption id="attachment_4478" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Flowery Meadows near Hayden, Colorado[/caption] On June 12 I commenced on a trip to Dallas, Texas from Idaho Falls, Idaho. This would be a long two day trip, but I certainly wanted to hit some places I had never been before. So, on Day 1 I ventured south through Pocatello and then onto Eagle, Colorado, about 588 miles. Following is my route map for Day 1. View Larger Map - Idaho Falls, ID to Eagle, CO Just near the hotel I stayed at in Idaho Falls, there was an amazing Eagle Sculpture in a roundabout. This is a HUGE work and is quite stunning. Called "The Protector", it is touted as the "World's Largest Eagle Monument" and was unveiled in the fall of 2006. The work…

Category: Signs and Billboards