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

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Antsy McClain, Arizona, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bike Trails, Books, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Burger Joints, California, Canada, Cebu, City Skylines, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Dinosaurs, Dream Highways, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Graffiti Walls, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Junk Art, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Mountains, Murals, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, People Shots, Philippines, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Street Art, Street People, Texas, Town Names, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Utah, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Wall Art, Wanderlust, Washington, Washington DC, Water Buffalo, Water Towers, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Whispering Giants, Wildflowers, 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.   Let's start this off with a Whispering Bang!! Whispering Giants - art by Hungarian artist Peter Toth - Idaho Falls, Idaho; Bethany Beach, Delaware; Murray, Utah; Red Lodge, Montana; Ottawa, Illinois; Hopewell, Illinois; Paducah, Kentucky; Astoria, Oregon; Ocean City, Maryland; Iowa Falls, Iowa; Utica, Illinois Over 62 of these around the U.S.  Here are the ones I have seen: Wigwam Village - Sleep in Wigwam - Cave…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The T Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alaska, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Books, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Burger Joints, California, Canada, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Dinosaurs, Dream Highways, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Fuji City, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Horse Art, Hot Springs, Idaho, Indian Ruins, Japan, Japanese Shrines, Junk Art, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Mexico, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Street Art, Tersier, Texas, Town Names, Travel in Japan, Tulum, Turkey Vultures, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Volcanic Sites, Wall Art, Wanderlust, Washington, Waterfalls, West Virginia, 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.   Talent, Oregon Tee Pee Motel - Wharton, Texas Thoroughbred Park - Lexington, Kentucky Tightwad, Missouri Tornado, West Virginia Top of the World Store - Beartooth Pass - near Cody, Wyoming Tulum, Mexico Tews Falls - Hamilton, Ontario Trailer Park Eatery - Austin, Texas Teddy Rides Again - Enchanted Highway - Regent, North Dakota Two Medicine Dinosaur Center - Bynum, Montana Texas Instruments Sculpture - LSA Burger Co.…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The R Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alabama, Alberta, Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Books, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, California, Car Art, Colorado, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Geologic Formations, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Junk Art, Kentucky, Landscapes, LDS Temples, Less Beaten Paths Books, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Murals, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Route 66, Selfies, Squirrels, Street Art, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Wall Art, Wanderlust, Washington, Water Towers, Waterfalls, 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.   Ric's Grill - Steak in Water Tower - Lethbridge, Alberta Route 66 Soda / Route Beer - Mokena, Illinois Rabbit Hash, Kentucky Restroom Hiker Mural - Damascus, Virginia Other Restroom Fun - Story, Indiana; Hopland, California; San Francisco, California; Cleveland, Ohio; Cypress, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; Nebraska City, Nebraska; Ashland, Montana; Frenchglen, Oregon Rock City - near Valier, Montana Geographical Center of North America - Rugby, North Dakota…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The P Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alberta, Animals, Arizona, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Birds, Bison, Books, Bucket List Trips, Budgies, Burger Joints, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Hot Dog Places, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Junk Art, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Lighthouses, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pelicans, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, prairie dogs, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, South Dakota, Street Art, Swamps, Television Shows, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Houses, Unique Places, Utah, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Volcanic Sites, Wall Art, Washington, Water Towers, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, 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.   Peculiar, Missouri Possum Trot Supper Club - Oakwood, Illinois Pierre Part, Louisiana Pound Gap, Virginia Prairie Dogs - Browning, Montana; Cactus Flat, South Dakota Pal's Sudden Service - Bristol, Tennessee Perryville Battlefield - Perryville, Kentucky Pink Elephants Everywhere! - DeForest, Wisconsin; Haubstadt, Indiana; Barboursville, West Virginia; Russellville, Kentucky And then there is the Pink Elephant Car Wash - Seattle, Washington Poutine - A Canadian Favorite - Paris,…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The I Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Amish Country, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Bridges, Burger Joints, Cebu, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Dinosaurs, Dream Highways, Eateries, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Junk Art, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Murals, Museums, Nebraska, New York, Offbeat Places, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Route 66, Saskatchewan, Selfies, Street Art, Texas, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Waterfalls, Wildflowers, 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.   Idaho Potato Museum - Blackfoot, Idaho Intercourse, Pennsylvania Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant - Corfu, New York I-80 Truck Stop - World's Largest Truck Stop - Walcott, Iowa Imagination Takes Flight Sculpture - Council Bluffs, Iowa Ice Cream Cone Buildings - Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; Peoria, Illinois Inverness, Montana dinosaur International Bakery - Omaha, Nebraska Indian River Inlet Bridge - Bethany Beach, Delaware Ironwood, Michigan Indian Paintbrush - Cool,…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The H Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Arizona, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Burger Joints, California, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Ghost Signs, Giant Things, Himeji, Horses, Hot Dog Places, Illinois, Indiana, Japanese Castles, Junk Art, Kentucky, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Murals, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, New Mexico, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, Street Art, Texas, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Houses, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Washington, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin, 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.   Home on the Range, North Dakota Hammering Man - Seattle, Washington Ho-Hum Motel - West Yellowstone, Montana Hillybilly Hot Dogs - Lesage, West Virginia Happy, Kentucky Hell, Michigan The Great Hodag - Rhinelander, Wisconsin Himeji Castle - Himeji, Japan Harlan Sanders Cafe - Corbin, Kentucky Hipp Nursery - Haubstadt, Indiana Harry Truman Mural - Independence, Missouri Horsetail Falls - Multnomah County, Oregon Hung Dong Supermarket - Houston,…
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Beatles in the South – Arkansas/Texas: February 2018

Adventure, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Large Statues, Murals, Offbeat Places, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, Street Art, Texas, The Beatles, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 67, Wall Art, Wanderlust, Yard Art
It is not every day that one takes a road trip and comes across not one, but two memorials to the famed Beatles. The first of these is a fascinating little story about a small little town in Arkansas named Walnut Ridge (population abt 5000). It was in 1964 and the Beatles were in the midst of their first tour of the United States. On September 18 of that year they had just finished performing in Dallas, TX and were in for a well-deserved break. A rich rancher from Missouri named Reed Pigman had a nice little dude ranch in Alton, Missouri (see the Pigman story here). Pigman also had a charter plane and flew the Beatles into the closest airport that could handle their large airplane. It was the…
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Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland – Calvert City, KY

Adventure, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Books, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Junk Art, Kentucky, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, Offbeat Places, People Shots, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Street Art, Toy Collections, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Houses, Unique Places, US Highway 68, Wanderlust, Yard Art
Down in southwestern Kentucky, Calvert City (near Paducah) there’s a little back road (actually US Highway 68) that takes you to a place called Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland. It is not necessarily what you would think of as a “garden,” but it is certainly hillbilly fun. And the toyland is amazing! I visited there in early February 2018 and had a real good time with the proprietor Keith Holt who, ironically, looks like a hillbilly! I will tell you upfront, this place is not for everyone. Some people may look at it is a big junkyard. Others, like myself, look at it as a large folk art gallery. And, along with that is a fabulous toy collection and some smaller collections of things such as soda cans and…
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Quirky Roadtripper Haven: Paradise Point Market Place, Scottsville, KY

Quirky Roadtripper Haven: Paradise Point Market Place, Scottsville, KY

Adventure, Antsy McClain, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Car Art, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Graffiti Walls, Hot Dog Places, Kentucky, Offbeat Places, People Shots, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Staycations, Street Art, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 31, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Wanderlust, Yard Art
During the break between Christmas 2017 and New Year's Day 2018 I took some of my family down to Barren River Lake State Resort Park in Lucas, KY. It was a wonderful time relaxing and going out around the lake and surrounding area looking at sunrises, sunsets and chasing down sandhill cranes, which have migrated in for the winter. While there, we came across a fun little spot on US 31E, heading towards Scottsville, KY.  During the winter, the place is closed, except on weekends, and I first saw it on a Thursday and HAD to stop for a few photos as it is right down my quirky little alley. Called Paradise Point Market Place, it sits off the highway and on the edge of a funky little trailer park. …
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Sumoflam’s 2017 Travels in Review

Adventure, Alabama, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Bike Trails, Birds, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Burger Joints, Caves and Caverns, City Skylines, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Deer, Delaware, Eagles, Eateries, Eclipse, Family Travel, Farmland, Geologic Formations, Ghost Signs, Giant Things, Graffiti Walls, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, LDS Temples, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Murals, National Monuments, National Parks, New York, North Carolina, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, Staycations, Street Art, Television Shows, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Train Bridges, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Virginia, Wall Art, Wanderlust, Waterfalls, West Virginia
On January 1, 2017 I sat on a beach in Ocean City, Maryland to watch a spectacular sunrise and pondered to myself about the opportunities I would have to travel throughout the year. Little did I really know the extent that I would actually contact a mini bus rental in Chicago and travel over the year and I’m grateful that I’ve had a wonderful year of seeing more of this beautiful country.   Beginning with that glorious morning in Maryland, over the course of the year I have driven nearly 15,000 miles on road trips, many to visit family or be with family, but all of the trips have been wonderful. Some have been close by doing what I refer to as “staycation“ trips in Kentucky. But, throughout the course…
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