The Year in Travel: 2016 from A to Z

Amish Country, Antsy McClain, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Bike Trails, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, City Skylines, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Eateries, Family Travel, Illinois, Kentucky, Large Statues, Maryland, National Monuments, National Parks, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Staycations, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia
The year 2016 was not a banner year for travel for me as there were no super long  cross country trips taken like I had done form 2012-2015. However, over the course of the year we did take a number of smaller trips and a couple of fairly long trips. I visited 11 states during the year and made it to some places where I hadn't been for nearly 30 years. Even made it into towns from A (Abingdon, VA) to Z (Zanesville, OH) and one with an X too (Xenia, OH)!! Here is a map that includes many of the places: [caption id="attachment_17253" align="aligncenter" width="316"] Abingdon, VA - Eastern terminus of the Virginia Creeper Trail[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15813" align="aligncenter" width="236"] Zanesville, Ohio home of the Y Bridge[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16769" align="aligncenter"…
Read More

A to Z Challenge: Reflections #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Alaska, Alberta, Amish Country, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Big Cities, Bucket List Trips, California, Car Art, City Skylines, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, Horse Art, Hot Springs, Idaho, Illinois, Indian Ruins, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Lewis and Clark Sites, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, 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, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Saskatchewan, Selfies, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal, Utah, Vintage Neon, Washington, Water Towers, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
During the month of April 2016 I participated in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge had each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. This was my first opportunity to really participate in this annual event, which just completed its 6th year.  It was not easy!!  I had to not only post something daily, but also create a theme and stick with it.  And, in my perfectionist way, I wanted to make sure there were plenty of photos and commentary.  I wrote in such a way to draw people to the more detailed posts, where ever possible.  It was a load of fun and I completed the challenge.  Not sure how many…
Read More

A to Z Challenge: The X Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Colorado, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Geologic Formations, Idaho, Kentucky, Landscapes, LDS Temples, Mountains, Murals, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, Ohio, Ontario, Place Names, Post Offices, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 50, US Highway 87, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Water Towers
During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique towns. To see what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The X Towns For the X towns, I am taking a little deviation.  Since there are really only two places in the United States whose names begin with X (namely Xenia, Ohio and Xenia, Illinois), I am…
Read More

A to Z Challenge: The W Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Antsy McClain, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bison, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Car Art, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Ghost Signs, Giant Things, Iowa, Landscapes, Large Statues, Lewis and Clark Sites, Mountains, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, Ontario, Place Names, Post Offices, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Houses, Unique Places, US Highway 14, US Highway 16, US Highway 169, US Highway 20, US HIghway 59, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Washington, Water Towers, Wyoming, Yard Art
During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique towns. To see what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The W Towns Wharton, Texas [caption id="attachment_11309" align="alignnone" width="300"] Future of Wharton, TX Mural by Dayton Wordrich[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11321" align="alignnone" width="300"] Buildings in downtown Wharton, TX[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11564" align="alignnone" width="300"] Tee Pee Motel in Wharton, TX[/caption] [caption…
Read More

A to Z Challenge: The U Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, California, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Houses, Unique Places, US Highway 101, Yard Art
During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique towns. To see what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The U Towns Uncertain, Texas [caption id="attachment_826" align="alignnone" width="300"] Uncertain, TX[/caption] [caption id="attachment_50" align="alignnone" width="300"] Uncertain Department of Tourism[/caption] [caption id="attachment_47" align="alignnone" width="300"] The Uncertain General Store and Grill[/caption] [caption id="attachment_51" align="alignnone" width="300"] The Spanish moss draped…
Read More

A to Z Challenge: The T Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Hot Springs, Idaho, Landscapes, Large Statues, Mississippi, Missouri, Murals, Museums, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, Selfies, South Dakota, Street Art, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 16, US Highway 160, US Highway 18, US Highway 377, US Highway 51, US Highway 61, US Highway 81, US Highway 89, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Water Towers, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art
During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique towns.  To see what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The T Towns Tightwad, Missouri [caption id="attachment_201" align="alignnone" width="300"] Tightwad, Missouri[/caption] [caption id="attachment_14143" align="alignnone" width="300"] Then there is place called Tightwad in MO and they even have a bank![/caption] [caption id="attachment_206" align="alignnone" width="300"] Tightwad Fire Department[/caption] [caption…
Read More

A to Z Challenge: The P Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Iowa, Kentucky, LDS Temples, Lewis and Clark Sites, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Murals, Museums, Mythical Creatures, Nebraska, New York, Ontario, People Shots, Place Names, Post Offices, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 20, US Highway 61, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Washington, Water Towers, West Virginia, Wyoming, Yard Art
During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The P Towns   Pella, Iowa [caption id="attachment_3137" align="alignnone" width="300"] Welcome to Pella[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6116" align="alignnone" width="199"] Vermeer Dutch Windmill in Pella, IA - the largest working windmill in the United States[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3573" align="alignnone" width="300"] Jaarsma Bakery - Pella,…
Read More

A to Z Challenge: The L Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Ghost Signs, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, Iowa, Museums, Mythical Creatures, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Television Shows, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 2, US Highway 20, US Highway 53, Vintage Neon, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art
During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The L Towns LeClaire, Iowa [caption id="attachment_3196" align="alignnone" width="300"] Antique Archaeology's famous old car[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6018" align="alignnone" width="224"] Antique Archaeology closed for filming[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3207" align="alignnone" width="300"] Antique Archaeology in LeClaire, Iowa[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3194" align="alignnone" width="225"] Sumoflam at Antique Archaeology[/caption]…
Read More

A to Z Challenge: The J Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Alaska, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Bison, Bucket List Trips, City Skylines, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Giant Things, Indiana, Landscapes, Large Statues, Lewis and Clark Sites, Mountains, Murals, National Parks, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pelicans, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, Television Shows, Texas, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 2, US Highway 89, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Water Towers, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yard Art
During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The J Towns Jamestown, North Dakota [caption id="attachment_12430" align="alignnone" width="300"] World's Largest Buffalo in Jamestown, ND[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15468" align="alignnone" width="199"] Frontier Village, an old-timey Western Village in Jamestown, ND[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15469" align="alignnone" width="300"] The Chuckwagon Cafe - serving a 4…
Read More

A to Z Challenge: The H Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Antsy McClain, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Big John, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Dream Highways, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Ghost Signs, Giant Things, Iowa, Landscapes, Large Statues, Michigan, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, National Parks, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Ontario, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Television Shows, Texas, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Houses, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Waterfalls, Yard Art
During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016 The H Towns Hell, Michigan [caption id="attachment_756" align="alignnone" width="300"] Hell, Michigan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15426" align="alignnone" width="300"] Hell Bench in Hell, MI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_190" align="alignnone" width="300"] Hell Post Office[/caption] [caption id="attachment_758" align="alignnone" width="300"] Direction to Hell from Pinckney, MI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_189" align="alignnone"…
Read More