Ontario – Page 8 – Less Beaten Paths of America

22Nov 2013 by David Kravetz

Creating the Wanderlust – 30 Years of Family Travel – Pt 3

Antsy McClain, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Georgia, Giant Things, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Musicians, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, People Shots, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, South Carolina, Texas, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wisconsin

[caption id="attachment_6868" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Joselyn on the Beach - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina summer 2013[/caption] This is the last in my 3 part series on "Creating the Wanderlust" through family travel adventures. (see the other two Part 1 Part 2 ) [caption id="attachment_6856" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Autumn in Rhinelander, WI with the Hodag - Aug 2012[/caption] After three weddings in 2005 I was fried...and, to top things off I had knee surgery later in the year, so there was no travel the rest of that year. In fact, I didn't take any trips until 2007 when I had a couple of big ones. These were with Solomon as Seth was off serving a Mormon mission in Utah. Then, since that time many of the trips from 2008 thru 2013 have…

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…

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…

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…

22Jul 2013 by David Kravetz

Sumoflam Flashback – Adventures in Southwestern Ontario: Oxford County

Backroads Discoveries, Eateries, Large Statues, Ontario, People Shots, Roadside Attractions, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Walters Family Band, Wildflowers

[caption id="attachment_5216" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Tobacco Barns in SW Ontario Canada[/caption] In 2008 I spent about nine months working as a Japanese interpreter in Woodstock, Ontario at the new Toyota Plant that was being built there at the time. Over the course of that nine months I had many opportunities to visit dozens of places in rural Ontario and made my way to Toronto and some if the larger towns in the area around Toronto. I have posted a number of "Travel Journals" with extensive details about all of these visits on my Sumoflam Trip Journals site. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="245"] Southwestern Ontario in the Red[/caption] Southwestern Ontario is centered on the city of London. It extends north to south from the Bruce Peninsula on Lake Huron to the Lake Erie…

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"]…

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]…

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"…

22May 2013 by David Kravetz

FOOD FOOD FOOD – Part 1: Restaurants and Cafes on the Less Beaten Paths

Alberta, Arkansas, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Eateries, Family Travel, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ontario, Oregon, Texas, Unique Eatery, Wisconsin

Maid Rite - Lexington, MO[/caption] One of the important facets of traveling the less beaten paths of America (and Canada) is the food. As I travel the country, I look for good food at local places. This post covers some of the restaurants, steak houses, cafes and fine (or semi-fine) dining places. Subsequent FOOD posts will include Diners/Drive-Ins, Barbecue Joints, Burger Places and Bakeries/Donut Shops. [caption id="attachment_3217" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Food - Cozy Dog, Springfield, Illinois[/caption] Ric's Grill - Lethbridge, Alberta Ric's Grill - Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada [caption id="attachment_3227" align="aligncenter" width="324"] Ric's Grill - Dinner in a Water Tower[/caption] Ric's Grill is one of those REALLY unique places to eat. I visited Lethbridge on a cross-country trip from Kentucky to Washington in 2005. I have friends in Lethbridge who took us…

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…

Category: Ontario