Download BOTH of my books on Kindle for FREE: November 1 – November 5

Adventure, Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Amish Country, Arizona, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Big Cities, Big John, Books, California, Car Art, Colorado, Connecticut, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Dinosaurs, Dragons, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Florida, Found Metal Sculptures, Georgia, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Junk Art, Kansas, Kentucky, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Muffler Man, Murals, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Quirky Things, Rhode Island, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, South Carolina, South Dakota, Street Art, Tennessee, Texas, Tourist Traps, Toy Collections, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Houses, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal, Utah, Vermont, Vintage Neon, Virginia, Wall Art, Wanderlust, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Whispering Giants, Wisconsin, Wyoming
As an After Halloween Treat, for a limited time you will be able to download both of my books - my newest -- "Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions" and also "Less Beaten Paths of America: Unique Town Names." TOTALLY FREE!! This is part of the Trick-Or-Treat Book Blog Hop hosted by Author Patricia Lynne. Both of these volumes are collections of my many travels across the United States and Canada. As you know, I have photographed well-known and not so well-known attractions along the way. In this book I share my experiences and occasional challenges, but always provide some fun and personal anecdotal stories of the quirky and offbeat places that the large and small communities offer. My first book is all about Unique Town…
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April 2018 Cross-Country Road Trip: The Overview – Kentucky to Washington

Adventure, Animals, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Big John, Birds, Books, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Burger Joints, City Skylines, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Deer, Dinosaurs, Dream Highways, Eagles, Eateries, Family Travel, Farmland, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Graffiti Walls, Horse Art, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, LDS Temples, Less Beaten Paths Books, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Mountains, Muffler Man, Murals, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Seagulls, Selfies, South Dakota, Street Art, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 101, US Highway 2, US Highway 212, US Highway 6, Utah, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Washington, Whispering Giants, Wildflowers, Wyoming
[caption id="attachment_19571" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sumoflam on the Road Again[/caption] In April 2018 I took a nice long road trip from my home in Lexington, Kentucky to my daughter's home in Port Orchard, Washington and back. The itinerary included most places akin to the Good Sam list of campgrounds which my cousin couldn't stop prattling about. Though I was gone for 15 days, I spent nine of them traveling more than 6000 miles through 14 states.  Many of my stops were in anticipation of my new book as I wanted some fresh content to add to it. [caption id="attachment_19561" align="alignright" width="300"] Lots of great two-lanes on this trip[/caption] In the past, I typically wrote one or two huge blog posts about long roadtrips, but, I have decided that a focus on…
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The 2018 Blogging A to Z Challenge – My Reflections #atozchallenge

A to Z Challenge, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Books, Cross Country Road Trips, Offbeat Places, Quirky Things, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, South Dakota, Texas, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unique Places
[caption id="attachment_19539" align="alignleft" width="200"] Blogging from A to Z Challenge[/caption] Well folks, I was a few days late completing the April Blogging Challenge, but I got it done!!  I submitted my Z post on May 5! As always, this was BOTH a challenge and a load of fun. But I spent a good deal of April traveling across the country, an appropriate thing for a travel writer and blogger. This was my third year to participate in the challenge and was by far the most "challenging" to complete due to my harried April schedule. But, it was gratifying to share the world of travel with everyone as I posted some of the offbeat, quirky and out of the way places and things I have visited over the years. [caption id="attachment_17823"…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The I Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Amish Country, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Bridges, Burger Joints, Cebu, Covered Bridges, Cross Country Road Trips, Delaware, Dinosaurs, Dream Highways, Eateries, Found Metal Sculptures, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Junk Art, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Murals, Museums, Nebraska, New York, Offbeat Places, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Route 66, Saskatchewan, Selfies, Street Art, Texas, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Waterfalls, Wildflowers, Wyoming
In 2018 I  will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada.  I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America's Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.   Idaho Potato Museum - Blackfoot, Idaho [caption id="attachment_14072" align="alignnone" width="400"] At the Idaho Potato Museum in 2013 - Blackfoot, ID[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2322" align="alignnone" width="400"] Idaho Potato Museum - Blackfoot[/caption] Intercourse, Pennsylvania [caption id="attachment_764" align="alignnone" width="400"] Intercourse, PA Sign - the most stolen town sign in the US[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15445" align="alignnone" width="360"] Amish Buggy Sales lot just outside of Intercourse[/caption] Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant - Corfu, New…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The H Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Arizona, Arkansas, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, BBQ Places, Burger Joints, California, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Ghost Signs, Giant Things, Himeji, Horses, Hot Dog Places, Illinois, Indiana, Japanese Castles, Junk Art, Kentucky, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Murals, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, New Mexico, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, Street Art, Texas, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Houses, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Washington, Waterfalls, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
In 2018 I  will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada.  I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America's Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.   Home on the Range, North Dakota [caption id="attachment_3012" align="alignnone" width="400"] Home on the Range sign in North Dakota[/caption] Hammering Man - Seattle, Washington [caption id="attachment_13688" align="alignnone" width="300"] The Hammering Man by Jonathan Borofsky[/caption] Ho-Hum Motel - West Yellowstone, Montana [caption id="attachment_4148" align="alignnone" width="400"] Ho-Hum Motel in West Yellowstone, Montana[/caption] Hillybilly Hot Dogs - Lesage, West Virginia [caption id="attachment_3359" align="alignnone" width="400"] Yes, they do have a Website!![/caption] [caption…
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A Grab Bag from America’s Back Roads – The D Things #AtoZChallenge

A to Z Challenge, Adventure, Amish Country, Arizona, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Deer, Delaware, Dinosaurs, Dragons, Eateries, Enchanted Highway, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Junk Art, Kansas, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Mountains, Murals, Museums, National Monuments, National Parks, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Rocky Mountains, Selfies, South Dakota, Television Shows, Texas, Town Names, Toy Collections, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Utah, Virginia, Wall Art, Washington, Water Towers
In 2018 I  will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada.  I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America's Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.   Dupuyer, Montana [caption id="attachment_9360" align="alignnone" width="400"] Welcome to Dupuyer, another unique metal town sign, common in northern Montana[/caption] Dinosaur National Monument - Vernal, Utah [caption id="attachment_15748" align="alignnone" width="400"] Dinosaur National Monument, Vernal, UT[/caption] Dolphin Swimming in the Atlantic - Ocean City, Maryland [caption id="attachment_17237" align="alignnone" width="400"] Christmas morning sunrise in Ocean City , MD and greeted by a dolphin in the foreground.[/caption] DISH, Texas [caption id="attachment_197" align="alignnone"…
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2018 April Blogging From A to Z Challenge: Theme Reveal

A to Z Challenge, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Books, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Kentucky, Less Beaten Paths Books, Murals, New Mexico, Offbeat Places, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Texas, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wall Art
Friends out there in interweb...its that time of year again!  April is the "Blogging from A to Z Challenge" and for the third year in a row I will be participating and posting daily for the month of April, each day featuring the letter of the day. Today I have chosen to reveal my theme for the 2018 version of the challenge and hopefully it will be fun! During a good part of April I will be traveling across the United States and so my posting time will be limited.  Therefore, this year will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada.  I may even throw in a few random shots from…
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SPOILER!: Cover Art for Book 2 – Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions

Adventure, Antsy McClain, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Big John, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Enchanted Highway, Giant Things, Less Beaten Paths Books, Minnesota, Offbeat Places, Oklahoma, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Texas, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wanderlust
[caption id="attachment_18667" align="alignleft" width="225"] Big Cabin, OK[/caption] My second book - Less Beaten Paths of America: Offbeat and Quirky Roadside Attractions is currently being worked on.  My hope is to have it published by June 30. Like the first book, this will also be available for Kindle.  Unlike the first book, Volume Two will be chock full of COLOR photos from all over the U.S. and Canada and will include my fun stories about the dozens of quirky attractions I feature in the book.  It will definitely be a fun read!! GET BOOK ONE HERE IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT   The cover for the new book has just been completed.  Once again, this was nicely done by my good friend Antsy McClain.  The original photography is mine with some cute…
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Get an Amazon Gift Card for Christmas? Try Out My New Book!

Adventure, Alabama, Alberta, Amish Country, Antsy McClain, Arizona, Arkansas, Books, California, Colorado, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Post Offices, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Roadsigns, Selfies, South Dakota, Staycations, Television Shows, Tennessee, Texas, Town Names, Travel Blogging, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Virginia, Wanderlust, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Looking for something fun to use that Amazon gift card on? How about a fun travel book? Read some of my first hand experiences visiting America’s Unique Named Towns!  Visit places like Tightwad, Uncertain, Boring, Oddville, Cool, Earth, Prosperity and many more! See more at http://amzn.to/2ks6fQZ
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Back at the Blogging – Lots of Catching Up to Do

Adventure, Back Roads, Backroads Discoveries, Bike Trails, Books, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, Caves and Caverns, City Skylines, Eateries, Family Travel, Giant Things, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Landscapes, Large Statues, Less Beaten Paths Books, Louisiana, National Parks, New York, Offbeat Places, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Place Names, Quirky Things, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Street Art, Tennessee, Texas, Travel Blogging, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Waterfalls, West Virginia
[caption id="attachment_18651" align="alignleft" width="169"] Big Mike's Mystery House in Cave City, KY[/caption] It has been a while since I’ve written in the blog. The last few months have been a whirlwind of activity beginning in July with a family reunion and continuing on with the new job at comicbook.com. In the midst of all of that I have spent the last couple of months using most of my “writing time“ to complete my first book which was referred to in my previous post a couple of days ago. Now that that book is published and on Amazon.com. I’m going to try to knock out a few of the blog posts that have been piling up on me. Over the next couple of weeks you’ll see blog posts about the new murals…
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