South Dakota – Page 11 – Less Beaten Paths of America

15Feb 2015 by David Kravetz

Fiberglass Giants Part I – The Muffler Men and Such

Backroads Discoveries, Big John, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Large Statues, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Muffler Man, New Mexico, Oregon, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Let's face it, Americans love those quirky roadside attractions! We all know it and its time to admit it. As far back as the 1930s they have been around. But it was the 1960s and 1970s that really got the roadside things going as people traveled Route 66 and other US Highways. The quirky and offbeat were the drawing cards...the highways were our Disneylands! Remnants of those days still hang around even as some artsy companies keep pushing them out to roadside restaurants, garages and filling stations. [caption id="attachment_12522" align="aligncenter" width="280"] The Old Muffler Man - (photo courtesy Roadside America - used with permission) This one known as the Joor Muffler Man in Escondido, CA[/caption] One of the most iconic of the roadside tchotchkes were the Muffler Men, those roadside…

31Jan 2014 by David Kravetz

A New Photo Gallery: Sumoflam’s Weird and Wonderful America

Alberta, Amish Country, Animals, Antsy McClain, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Big Cities, Birds, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Car Art, Cebu, City Skylines, Colorado, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Florida, Found Metal Sculptures, Georgia, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, Horse Art, Horses, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Japan, Kentucky, Large Statues, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Musicians, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, People Shots, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, South Carolina, South Dakota, Squirrels, States and Provinces, Street Art, Street Musicians, Street People, Television Shows, Tennessee, Texas, Train Bridges, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Houses, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Volcanic Sites, Wall Art, Washington, West Virginia, Wildflowers, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art

Recently I was assigned by a client to look into the creation of a SmugMug website. I had to do some testing on it, but in the process I created my own SmugMug site. This site has hundreds of photographs that I've taken on my travels around the country, in Canada, in Japan, and in the Philippines. Sumoflam's Weird & Wonderful America I have not always focused on just the unique and offbeat, but I also have visited many national parks, many scenic wonderlands, have focused on animal life, flowers and trees, and other unique and interesting places and things. My new SmugMug site will feature a great variety of all of these photographs. I hope you'll give it a visit and Enjoy the Ride!!

20Nov 2013 by David Kravetz

New Wall Art in Lexington, KY – Part II More PRHBTN works completed

Backroads Discoveries, Eateries, Giant Things, Horse Art, Kentucky, Mythical Creatures, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wall Art

[caption id="attachment_7456" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sumoflam stares down a character from the huge mural just completed by British urban artist Phlegm[/caption] A few days ago I posted about a number of new and recent murals that now grace the walls of buildings in Lexington (see the post here). Some of these, including the massive Lincoln mural, are part of the annual PRHBTN celebration of art forms that have been criminalized, marginalized, and under-appreciated in the mainstream. In the past week since the completion of the Lincoln project, four other giant works have been completed by three different urban artists including Phlegm from Britain, GAIA from Baltimore, and Odeith, from Portugal. All of these works are just a tad off the beaten path, but well worth seeking out. [caption id="attachment_7458" align="aligncenter" width="512"]…

09Nov 2013 by David Kravetz

Creating the Wanderlust – 30 Years of Back Roads Travel with Family – Pt 2

Alberta, Animals, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, City Skylines, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Large Statues, Minnesota, Montana, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, North Dakota, People Shots, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, South Dakota, Squirrels, States and Provinces, Travel with grandchildren, Wisconsin, Wyoming

[caption id="attachment_7268" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Akela Flats near Deming, New Mexico, December 1999[/caption] This is Part 2 of a Three Part series on "Creating the Wanderlust" - how I have shared travel experiences with my children and grandchildren over the last 30+ years and how this has opened their eyes to the world around them. You can see Part 1 here. During 1996 and 1997 we didn't travel much though we did visit a couple of Kentucky sites including the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln near Hodgenville, KY and Cumberland Gap. [caption id="attachment_7271" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Chelsea and Seth at the Lincoln Birthplace monument in Hodgenville, Kentucky July 4, 1997[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6850" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Kids with Grandpa Kravetz at Cumberland Gap in 1997[/caption] The big highlight of 1997 was when our 1995 French…

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…

01Sep 2013 by David Kravetz

Sumoflam’s Guide to Planning an Offbeat Road Trip

Backroads Discoveries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Large Statues, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, North Dakota, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Yard Art

[caption id="attachment_5889" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Learn How to Get There[/caption] I love to travel the back roads of America. I also love to see Offbeat Attractions. Of course, I must drop by those strange named towns (see photo above). But, I also want to visit historical sites, National Parks, scenic locations, covered bridges and more that may be along the way. So, in this post I will lay out the "Sumoflam Guide" and the process I go about in planning almost all of my trips. Hopefully, you as the readers will be able to glean some helpful information in your plans and do as I do.....ENJOY THE RIDE! WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO? [caption id="attachment_5890" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Where Are We Going? (This is in Millersburg, Ohio)[/caption] For the purpose of…

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…

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…

09Jun 2013 by David Kravetz

South Dakota Backroads: Prairie Dogs and Badlands

Backroads Discoveries, Bison, Deer, Family Travel, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Landscapes, Large Statues, National Parks, Place Names, prairie dogs, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, South Dakota, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wildflowers

Badlands National Park[/caption] On my previous post I covered my travels from Omaha to Kadoka, South Dakota along the Oyate Trail. This post covers the second part of that day, basically, my visit to the hauntingly wondrous Badlands National Park in western South Dakota. [caption id="attachment_4031" align="aligncenter" width="284"] Scrappy the Scrap Metal Buck by Brett Prang[/caption] Before I get into the Badlands visit, one more final comment about Kadoka. While at a gas station off if I-90 I came across this giant scrap metal buck. I did some research and found out that it's name is "Scrappy" and it is the creation of metal artist Brett Prang, who resides in the Badlands area and runs Incredible Metal from his Guest House and their Frying Pan Ranch. I wish I would…

Category: South Dakota