11Jan 2017 by David Kravetz

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"…
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14Jul 2016 by David Kravetz

Rails to Trails for Biking: An Overview

Backroads Discoveries, Bike Trails, Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Farmland, Kentucky, Landscapes, National Parks, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Staycations, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, West Virginia
[caption id="attachment_16787" align="alignleft" width="300"] Julianne the biker![/caption] In recent weeks, my wife Julianne has taken to riding on bike trails around the upper Midwest. In the past few weeks she has ridden bike trails in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and will soon be on a nice trail in Virginia. She is finding these very enjoyable and has done some with her sister and some with our daughter Marissa, and one even with the grandchildren.  As a support driver I enjoy taking her and driving the back roads to meet her (and the others) along the trail. Many of my upcoming blog posts will cover some of these scenic bike trails, many which are called Rails to Trails. This post is an overview of these trails with links to…
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03Jul 2016 by David Kravetz

Finding Prosperity near Canonsburg & Washington, PA

Backroads Discoveries, Bike Trails, Birds, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Flowers, Found Metal Sculptures, Geese, Giant Things, Landscapes, Murals, Museums, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Swans, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 19, US Highway 40, Wall Art, West Virginia, Wildflowers
[caption id="attachment_16653" align="alignright" width="225"] Welcome to Canonsburg, PA[/caption] Just a week after a nice three-day visit to northern Ohio (see post HERE), Julianne and I made our way to Canonsburg, PA, which is south of Pittsburgh. Julianne's sister Laura recently moved there from Idaho with her husband and daughter and wanted us to visit. [caption id="attachment_16693" align="alignleft" width="274"] Sumoflam with Julianne and Autumn heading to Pittsburgh[/caption] From Lexington, Canonsburg is about a 5 Hour drive. We loaded Julianne's bicycle onto the bike rack and were off shortly after she got off of work. We also took our first trip with one of our grandchildren, our oldest named Autumn.  She has traveled with her mother and me on a long trip to Wisconsin, but this is her first trip alone with Grampz…
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10May 2016 by David Kravetz

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…
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23Apr 2016 by David Kravetz

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…
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19Apr 2016 by David Kravetz

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,…
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18Apr 2016 by David Kravetz

A to Z Challenge: The O Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Backroads Discoveries, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Horse Art, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Murals, Museums, Oklahoma, Ontario, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, South Dakota, Street Art, Tennessee, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Wall Art, West Virginia, 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 O Towns Only, Tennessee [caption id="attachment_787" align="alignnone" width="300"] Only, Tennessee[/caption] [caption id="attachment_61" align="alignnone" width="300"] This way to the Only Baptist Church[/caption] [caption id="attachment_60" align="alignnone" width="300"] The one and only Only Baptist Church[/caption] I took a trip back in 2010…
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14Apr 2016 by David Kravetz

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]…
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07Apr 2016 by David Kravetz

A to Z Challenge: The F Towns #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Enchanted Highway, Giant Things, Large Statues, Minnesota, Montana, Murals, National Monuments, National Parks, North Dakota, Ohio, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, South Carolina, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 67, US Highway 87, US Highway 89, Volcanic Sites, Wall Art, West Virginia
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 F Towns Flagstaff, Arizona [caption id="attachment_11957" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sumoflam the Tour Guide in 1983 - taken in Arizona. Nava-Hopi was located in Flagstaff, AZ[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4565" align="alignnone" width="300"] Spacious skies over the Grand Canyon in Arizona[/caption]…
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09Mar 2016 by David Kravetz

Traveling US Numbered Highways – Part I: An Overview and History

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Dream Highways, Family Travel, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, 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, Route 66, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, US Highway 101, US Highway 2, US Highway 20, US Highway 212, US Highway 287, US Highway 61, US Highway 79, US Highway 89, US Highways, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
[caption id="attachment_8529" align="alignleft" width="300"] US 89 and US 2 meet up in northern Montana[/caption] When I was young and living in Albuquerque, NM in the 1960s, there were not many Interstate Highways.  Most of the country still relied on the U.S. Numbered Highway System. Even to this day I can recall our family drives along the iconic Route 66 out of Albuquerque to Gallup, NM and then, eventually, when we moved to Dallas in 1968 we took it all the way to Amarillo, TX.  Even at that young age I was already enamored by the maze of highways and the desire to see what lays along these long black roads with millions of white lines in the middle and endless telephone poles and wires along both sides.  I too remember…
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