13Aug 2013 by David Kravetz

Car Art: Cars in art around the US

Antsy McClain, Backroads Discoveries, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Washington
One of the more unique American traditions along the Less Beaten Paths is the recycling of auto parts for art. Indeed, a couple of the most famous roadside attractions in the US are made from cars. This post will look at a few pieces of "car art" that I have seen over the years and, then, at the end, I will note a few others that are out there and worth a visit from all of us -- some that I hope to get to over the next couple of years. [caption id="attachment_5769" align="aligncenter" width="239"] "Spindle" by Dustin Shuler was in Cermak Plaza in Berwyn, Illinois until it was removed in May 2008[/caption] Probably one of the two most famous Car Art pieces that I am aware of, this car…
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07Aug 2013 by David Kravetz

Yard Art: Creativity with Scrap Metal, Chain Saw Art and “stuff” collections

Arkansas, California, Car Art, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Horse Art, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Large Statues, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Muffler Man, Mythical Creatures, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art
[caption id="attachment_5626" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Need some dolls? Shop in Buena Vista, Colorado[/caption] As I travel the backroads of America and Canada I always run across all sorts of what some call "Yard Art".  Others call it folk art, offbeat art, quirky things, etc.  Well, there is the whimsical and fun, there is the unique and then the downright strange. Some of the sites, like Cadillac Ranch above, are world famous.  Others are in the middle of nowhere and are happenstance and unexpected.  Following is a menagerie of quirky and offbeat whimsy and creativity that I have seen.  Enjoy the ride and see if you have been to any of these places... SCRAP METAL DINOSAURS AND DRAGONS [caption id="attachment_5519" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Guitar Playing Scrap Metal Dragon - Harrietsville, Ontario[/caption] Perhaps one…
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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…
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31May 2013 by David Kravetz

FOOD FOOD FOOD – Part 4: Some Leftovers – Huevos, Poke Sallet, Poutine, Pea Meal and more

Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Eateries, Giant Things, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Tennessee, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Customers Needed - Toronto, Ontario[/caption] As I have traveled the many back roads of the U.S. and Canada I have seen hundreds of places to eat, many of the are the normal fast food places (we all know THEY are).  But, there are also many other unique Mom and Pop shops, small drive ins, BBQ joints and burger places.  I have covered the main stops from my last 8 or 9 years of travel, but there are many more I have passed along the way and a few that I didn't cover in the previous three posts.  I will touch on them here, though most of them with a photo and a comment or two.  Enjoy! The Leftovers - More of the Places I have been [caption id="attachment_3681" align="aligncenter" width="300"]…
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29May 2013 by David Kravetz

FOOD FOOD FOOD – Part 3: Donuts, Bakeries, Pies and other sweet places on Less Beaten Paths

Amish Country, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Bucket List Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Trinity Music Productions, Unique Eatery, Wisconsin
Voodoo Doughnut - Portland, Oregon[/caption] Ahh...now that the BBQ and Chicken Fried steaks are done, how about something sweet?  Nothing like fresh donuts and pies!!  But who needs the chains?  How about some great independent bakeries and doughnut places?  Every Picture Tells a Story, Doughnut? Voodoo Doughnut - Portland, Oregon [caption id="attachment_3540" align="aligncenter" width="384"] Voodoo Doughnut[/caption] Voodoo Doughnut is probably one of the most unique doughnut places in the world (not just the U.S.)!!  Yes, they have amazing doughnuts, but they also have stained glass windows and even a wedding chapel.  They have been featured on dozens of food and travel shows as well.  And, by the way, make sure to bring cash if you want to eat.  That is all they take. [caption id="attachment_3537" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Doughnuts at Voodoo[/caption]…
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26May 2013 by David Kravetz

FOOD FOOD FOOD – Part 2: Barbecue Places and Diners on Less Beaten Paths

BBQ Places, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, West Virginia, Wisconsin
[caption id="attachment_3350" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Arthur Bryant's - Kansas City[/caption] As I travel across these great United States (and Canada too) perhaps the most common sight along the way is Barbecue (BBQ) places and diners, big and small.  Following are a few of the places I have visited (or at least passed and wished I had time to stop in for a visit....). Hillbilly Hot Dogs - Lesage, WV [caption id="attachment_3361" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hillbilly Hot Dogs - Lesage, WV[/caption] Ever eaten at a junk yard?  Ever had enough guts to do so?  Well, if you head north of Huntington, WV along the Ohio River to the small little village of Lesage you can do just that at Hillbilly Hot Dogs.  A junk collector's dream and a neatnik's nightmare! [caption id="attachment_3364" align="aligncenter"…
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31Jan 2013 by David Kravetz

I've Been Everywhere – Part I: The Collector

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Am I Normal? Who knows?[/caption] As far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated with statistics and numbers.  I have also been a collector.  As a young fifth-grader in Dallas in the late 1960s, I was already obsessed with statistics.  I looked at baseball boxscores daily and kept my own tabulations of most homeruns, doubles, RBIs, etc.  I also had a huge collection of bottlecaps from sodas.  I would pick them up a couple of times a week at the 7-11 (which in those days was really open from 7 AM to 11 PM).  I had bags of them and would lay them out in the driveway and count the various types...Coke and Pepsi were always the clear leaders, followed by Dr. Pepper, 7-UP and Sprite.  But I…
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23Jan 2013 by David Kravetz

People Shots from My Travels – Part 1 (Canada and US)

Amish Country, Arizona, Graffiti Walls, Illinois, Kentucky, Murals, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, People Shots, Street Musicians, Street People, Texas, Wall Art, Washington
Street Person - Toronto[/caption] Throughout my travels in Canada and the US, I have run across many opportunities to get random shots of people.  Our world is made up of people of all types. [caption id="attachment_618" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Strolling by Mo's Seafood Restaurant - Newport, Oregon[/caption] So, for this entry and the next couple of them, it will be more about people, than places.  I hope you will enjoy this little cruise.  People are fun! [caption id="attachment_613" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Soccer in the Shadows - Hoboken, NJ[/caption] [caption id="attachment_615" align="aligncenter" width="640"] "Super" Family Trip - Metropolis, Illinois[/caption] [caption id="attachment_614" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Old Man - Paducah, Kentucky[/caption] I got the next couple of shots while on a visit to Niagara Falls with my family.  I took quite a few, but these were…
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08Mar 2012 by David Kravetz
How about a little Charm?

How about a little Charm?

Amish Country, Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Farmland, Horses, Ohio, People Shots, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places
Charm, Ohio[/caption] In the midst of Amish country in Ohio there is small community called Charm. The village, though small, does have a post office and even a website. [caption id="attachment_125" align="alignleft" width="300"] Keim Lumber in Charm[/caption] Not many other signs around the town, but he name alone makes you want to go there. The pastoral environment and Amish atmosphere really does give it some charm!       [caption id="attachment_126" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Amish cart in Charm, OH[/caption] Everywhere you look in Charm, you see both Amish folk and lots of Amish influence. [caption id="attachment_127" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Amish Laundry[/caption] The photo above is one of my favorite shots.  Very colorful. [caption id="attachment_128" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Charm, OH: Old vs. New[/caption] View Larger Map Charm, OH]]>
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03Mar 2012 by David Kravetz
Coolville – Now that's an awesome name!

Coolville – Now that's an awesome name!

Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Ohio, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 50
Coolville, OH[/caption] Back in May 2008, on a return trip to Canada for work at the Toyota Plant in Woodstock, Ontario, I took a trip up along the Ohio River, basically on the Ohio/WV border.  (see my entire trip report for some unusual other places here).  Along the way I came into the town of Coolville.  Pretty cool name!! [caption id="attachment_69" align="alignleft" width="300"] There is a Post Office in Coolville![/caption] You Scooby Doo fans out there may remember the fictional place called Coolsville, OH in the cartoon series.  This is NOT that place.  Rather, Coolville is a small town of about 530 people clear in the southeastern part of the state.  It was named after Ashel Cooley, who was apparently a great grandson of Benjamin Cooley of Springfield, MA (see…
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