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: [caption id="attachment_5682" align="alignnone" width="229"] Gigantic Peter Toth carved…
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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…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The D Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Amish Country, Arizona, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Deer, Delaware, Dinosaurs, Dragons, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Junk Art, Kansas, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Mountains, Murals, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Television Shows, Texas, Town Names, Toy Collections, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Utah, Virginia, Wall Art, Washington, Water Towers
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.   Dupuyer, Montana [caption id="attachment_9360" align="alignnone" width="400"] Welcome to Dupuyer, another unique metal town sign, common in northern Montana[/caption] Dinosaur National Monument - Vernal, Utah [caption id="attachment_15748" align="alignnone" width="400"] Dinosaur National Monument, Vernal, UT[/caption] Dolphin Swimming in the Atlantic - Ocean City, Maryland [caption id="attachment_17237" align="alignnone" width="400"] Christmas morning sunrise in Ocean City , MD and greeted by a dolphin in the foreground.[/caption] DISH, Texas [caption id="attachment_197" align="alignnone"…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The A Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alabama, Amish Country, Antelope, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Bike Trails, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Canada, Colorado, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Japan, Landscapes, Less Beaten Paths Books, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, National Monuments, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, People Shots, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, Street People, Television Shows, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Virginia, Washington, 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.   Aliens on a Coke Machine - Roswell, New Mexico [caption id="attachment_3278" align="alignnone" width="525"] Have a Coke and a Smile?? Coke machine in Roswell...[/caption] Airstream Factory - Jackson Center, Ohio [caption id="attachment_15485" align="alignnone" width="430"] Sumoflam hanging at the Airstream Visitor's Center in Jackson Center, OH[/caption] Alder Lake Tree Stumps - Elbe, Washington [caption id="attachment_14405" align="alignnone" width="266"] Alder Lake stumps near Elbe, WA[/caption] Adair Smiley Water Tower - Adair,…
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Get an Amazon Gift Card for Christmas? Try Out My New Book!

Adventure, Alabama, Alberta, Amish Country, Antsy McClain, Arizona, Arkansas, Books, California, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, South Dakota, Staycations, Television Shows, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Virginia, Wanderlust, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Looking for something fun to use that Amazon gift card on? How about a fun travel book? Read some of my first hand experiences visiting America’s Unique Named Towns!  Visit places like Tightwad, Uncertain, Boring, Oddville, Cool, Earth, Prosperity and many more! See more at http://amzn.to/2ks6fQZ
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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
[caption id="attachment_18682" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sunrise in Ocean City, MD on New Year's Day 2017[/caption] 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.   [caption id="attachment_18697" align="alignright" width="300"] Oddville, Kentucky[/caption] 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…
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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…
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Z is for Zeal – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Big Cities, California, Canada, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Florida, Georgia, Graffiti Walls, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Lighthouses, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Murals, 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, Quirky Things, Random Thoughts, Rhode Island, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Saskatchewan, Selfies, South Carolina, South Dakota, Staycations, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 2, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wall Art, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
I am a zealous traveler. I travel passion and with all the gusto I can.  A roadtrip with me can be grueling, but it is always fun.  Indeed, I travel with the intent of creating many good memories.  Many call me a Road Warrior. Well, I love that term. I travel with zeal. When on roadtrips, I like to be up with the sun and travel until the sun goes down.  I stop for the night wherever I am at sundown...I can't take many pictures at night now can I? [caption id="attachment_15212" align="aligncenter" width="537"] Taking photos along the way[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16314" align="alignleft" width="150"] Sumoflam and the FREE Stamp in Cleveland[/caption] In my zealous travels, I have visited all 50 states and a few Canadian Provinces. I have at least one…
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X is for Xtreme Skies – #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Farmland, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, National Parks, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Sandhill Cranes, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
OK.  I know.... Xtreme is not really a dictionary word, but many advertisers use it and there are company names and even a band name.  So, it is fair game. This post is about xtreme (extreme) skies - unique cloud formations, colorful skies, sunrises, sunsets, sunbeams, moon shots, rainbows and more.  A traveler on the highways of America always sees the skies.  It can't be helped. For me, I actually pay attention to them for the skies present their own fascinating form of art. [caption id="attachment_11801" align="aligncenter" width="568"] Shining sky above US 79/190 in central Texas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8475" align="alignleft" width="300"] A lovely view of the Big Sky in Montana as seen from US Route 2 west of Bainville, MT[/caption] For this post, I will provide an assortment of photos I…
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W is for Wildlife – #atozchallenge

Adventure, Alligators, Animals, Antelope, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Bison, Blue Heron, Buffalo, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Deer, Delaware, Eagles, Egret, Elk, Fox, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, Oregon, Pelicans, Pennsylvania, prairie dogs, Pronghorn Antelope, Rocky Mountains, Sandhill Cranes, Seagulls, Squirrels, Swamps, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Virginia, Wanderlust, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
There are not many better things on a back road trip than running into unexpected wildlife. There is an abundance of birds and animals to be discovered on the road.  For me, my camera is always at the ready for the chance meeting of some interesting animal or bird. [caption id="attachment_17754" align="aligncenter" width="584"] Sandhill Cranes fly over high plains near Dell, MT[/caption] One such incident happened on a gravel road near Dell, Montana.  I was on the lookout for bison as I drive along Ted Turner's massive bison ranch.  While stopped to look I heard a strange bird call that I had never heard and shortly thereafter a pair of large birds came zipping by.  I got some shots, but wasn't sure what I had until I got to the…
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