02Feb 2013 by David Kravetz

I've Been Everywhere – Part II: Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Colorado, Horses, Missouri, Place Names, Route 66, South Dakota, Squirrels, States and Provinces, Trinity Music Productions, Wildflowers
Sumoflam's Signs[/caption] One of the norms of driving the back roads of America are the town signs.  Anyone that drives any roads typically sees hundreds of them.  Of course, some are pretty typical town names, but, there are many that aren't typical.   Here are a few "descriptive" town name signs that I have picked up along the less beaten paths of America.  I have written about some of these places, but now we can "compare." I would like to say I have made it to all of the strange and wacky town places, but indeed I have not.  Here is one non-definitive list from infoplease.com.  Here are a couple more links to the topic - Top 10 Worst Named Cities, Bad Names for Towns, Interesting Town Names. As my photo…
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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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18Jan 2013 by David Kravetz

A Visit to Mayberry RFD – Mt. Airy, NC

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, South Dakota
Mayberry Cheese[/caption] Growing up as a child I was a frequent watcher of the Andy Griffith Show.  The show was set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina though apparently all of the filming of the show actually took place in California at DesiLu studios. [caption id="attachment_591" align="aligncenter" width="259"] Andy Griffith Museum, Mt. Airy, NC - Statue of Andy and Opie (played by Ron Howard)[/caption] Andy Griffith actually grew up in Mt. Airy, NC and the ficitional town of Mayberry was loosely based on that town.  So, on a trip to North Carolina back in March 2012 , I made my way to Mt. Airy on the way back to Kentucky.  It was nostalgic and fun.  Here are a few shots from "Mayberry R.F.D." [caption id="attachment_590" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Mt.…
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10Jan 2013 by David Kravetz
If not a glass house, how about a house made out of beer cans?

If not a glass house, how about a house made out of beer cans?

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, South Dakota
Beer Can House[/caption] Now this is a unique place to visit in downtown Houston.  A creation of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. This house was started in 1968 by a guy named John Milkovisch (see history of the house).  According to Ripley's Believe It or Not, over 50,000 beer cans have been used on this house. [caption id="attachment_571" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House Front[/caption] He notes on the sign to "Live by the Golden Rule", but I think he is actually living the "Aluminum Rule"!! [caption id="attachment_570" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House entry[/caption] [caption id="attachment_566" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House Wall[/caption] [caption id="attachment_579" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House Siding[/caption] [caption id="attachment_574" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House Garland[/caption] [caption id="attachment_577" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beer Can House Wall[/caption] [caption id="attachment_573" align="aligncenter"…
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06Jan 2013 by David Kravetz
Jackalope Heaven – Douglas, Wyoming

Jackalope Heaven – Douglas, Wyoming

Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Giant Things, Jackalope, Large Statues, Museums, Mythical Creatures, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wyoming
Large Jackalope - Douglas, WY Railroad Museum[/caption] Douglas, Wyoming claims to be the "Official Home of the Jackalope."  Throughout the west one can find jackalopes in shops and statues of them.  They even have a Jackalope Days in June. [caption id="attachment_558" align="aligncenter" width="239"] Jackalope Crossing[/caption] According to legendsofamerica.com, "The jackalope is said to be an antlered species of rabbit, sometimes rumored to be extinct. One of the rarest animals in the world, it is a cross etween a now extinct pygmy-deer and a species of killer rabbit. The antlered species of rabbit are brownish in color, weigh between three and five pounds and move with lighting speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. [caption id="attachment_556" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Wyoming Jackalope[/caption] Apparently the first jackalope was spotted in 1829 near the…
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04Jan 2013 by David Kravetz
Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill – How about some off-beat stuff

Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill – How about some off-beat stuff

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, South Carolina, South Dakota
Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill[/caption] [caption id="attachment_548" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Cliff Brice Warning Sign[/caption] Just outside of Woodstock, Ontario is an interesting place called Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill.  Cliff Bruce is one of those collectors of odd and random stuff.  (another of these is Hamtramck Disneyland in Detroit). He has some whirligigs, windmills, stop lights, random fiberglass animals and even Fred Flintstone on the porch. These are then displayed throughout his yard.  Here are a couple more photos. [caption id="attachment_543" align="aligncenter" width="239"] Windmill Hill - Big Cat[/caption] [caption id="attachment_542" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Windmill Hill - Big Dog[/caption] [caption id="attachment_547" align="aligncenter" width="165"] Tire Snowman[/caption] [caption id="attachment_545" align="aligncenter" width="260"] Whirlygigs[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_546" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Horse Whirlygigs[/caption] Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill, Woodstock, Ontario]]>
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29Dec 2012 by David Kravetz

Lynn's Paradise Cafe – A Feast for Eyes and Tummy!!

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Route 66, South Dakota
Lynn's Paradise Cafe[/caption] Welcome to Lynn's Paradise Cafe in Louisville, Kentucky.  This is probably the most unique place you will ever eat at.  Funky lamps everywhere, colorful everything...a real fun place!!  Oh, and did I mention the food?? [caption id="attachment_510" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Squeeze the Day[/caption] Start off the day right with a good breakfast at Lynn's.  They do not skimp on the servings and the eating is YUMMIFEROUS!! Much of my family met there in late December 2012 for a big breakfast.  Here are some of the goodies we had. [caption id="attachment_508" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Breakfast![/caption] [caption id="attachment_504" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Crunchcakes[/caption] [caption id="attachment_505" align="aligncenter" width="225"] French Toast in Bourbon Sauce[/caption] [caption id="attachment_506" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Matador Omelet and Cheese Grits[/caption] [caption id="attachment_507" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Biscuits and Gravy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_514" align="aligncenter" width="199"] Hot…
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27Nov 2012 by David Kravetz

Some REAL Giants – Glen Goode's Big People, Gainesville, TX

Backroads Discoveries, Big John, Family Travel, Giant Things, Large Statues, Muffler Man, Texas, Uniroyal Gal
On a recent trip home from Texas in November 2012,  we made our way through Gainesville.  While there, we decided to take a small diversion to go see Glen Goode's Big People, some large fiberglass statues on the side of the road. [caption id="attachment_494" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Glen Goode's from the Road[/caption] [caption id="attachment_495" align="aligncenter" width="199"] Glen Goode's Big People[/caption] [caption id="attachment_497" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Glen Goode's Big People[/caption] [caption id="attachment_493" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Glen Goode's Big People Glen Goode's Big People[/caption]   Glen Goode's Big People, near Gainesville, TX]]>
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