A few sites in Southeast Idaho – Idaho Falls and Blackfoot

Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Farmland, Geese, Giant Things, Idaho, Landscapes, Large Statues, Mountains, Muffler Man, Murals, Museums, Roadside Attractions, Rocky Mountains, Seagulls, Selfies, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Uniroyal Gal, Vintage Neon, Wall Art
Potato Museum - Blackfoot[/caption] While in Rexburg for the last week of March and the first week of April, I had the opportunity to take a couple of trips south to Blackfoot and Idaho Falls, where I was able to catch a few of the interesting sites in the area.  I even caught an amazing quarrel between a Canadian goose and a couple of seagulls. Idaho Falls [caption id="attachment_2336" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The waterfalls on the Snake River.  Idaho Falls, as they are called, were once rapids on the Snake[/caption] Idaho Falls is a nice little town at the base of the foothills with the Snake River running through the middle of town.  It is currently the largest city in Southeastern Idaho with a population of nearly 57,000 and a metro…
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People Shots from My Travels – Part II: Cebu, Philippines

Backroads Discoveries
Motorbike Quartet - near Cebu[/caption] In 2006 and 2007 I took two trips to Cebu, Philippines while I was working for Lexmark.  During these trips of 2 weeks and 6 weeks, I spent the evenings and weekends either visiting places in the city or else taking road trips on the island or boat trips to nearby islands.  During these trips, I took a number of candid photos of people.  Following are some of my favorites, with a few descriptions. [caption id="attachment_688" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Bohol Truck - Bohol Island[/caption] [caption id="attachment_686" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Family - Bohol Island[/caption] We saw this guy tear up the outer skin of a coconut completely with his teeth.  This is one of a series of shots I got of him doing it. [caption id="attachment_685" align="aligncenter" width="640"]…
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A place called Tightwad….really?

A place called Tightwad….really?

Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Missouri, People Shots, Place Names, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places
Tightwad Bank[/caption] On a trip to Kansas City back in November 2011, I returned via some back roads in south central Missouri.  My main destination of choice was Tightwad, Missouri.  This is an unincorporated town of about 65 or 70 people. [caption id="attachment_201" align="alignleft" width="300"] Tightwad, Missouri[/caption] The village's unusual name is said to stem from an episode in which a store owner cheated a customer, who was a postman, by charging him an extra fifty cents for a better watermelon. Some sources claim the transaction involved a rooster rather than a watermelon.  However, there is really nothing definitive.  Nonetheless, the town is fun. Perhaps the biggest point of excitement is the Tightwad Bank, a real bank.  According to its website, The bank was founded on September 5, 1900 as…
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Here's an interesting DISH for you

Here's an interesting DISH for you

Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Texas
[/caption] I have been busy in Texas all this week so it is only appropriate I add a Texas comment on the blog. Just about two years ago I was on business in Texas (except I drove here instead of flying). On my way back to Kentucky, I made it a point to drive to DISH, TX. This community, established in June 2000, was originally named Clark. In November 2005, the community accepted an offer to rename itself "DISH" as part of a commercial agreement with the satellite television company of the same name. [caption id="attachment_198" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="DISH Town Hall"][/caption] The day I went through (April 17, 2010) was also NASCAR day at the Dallas Speedway, which is just a few miles away from DISH.  To my shear enjoyment,…
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Missed Success by 16 miles!!

Backroads Discoveries, Missouri, Town Names, US Highway 63
Success, MO[/caption] In my last post I noted how I went looking for Romance and only came to a dead end.  Well, on my way back to Kentucky from Arkansas a couple of days ago I was heading north on US 63 in Missouri.  As I go to Houston, MO (in Texas County -- NO JOKE!!), I passed the sign above.  It was a long drive back to Kentucky and I had just gotten started, so I decided to not take the 16 mile trek to look for Success. So, in one weekend I went looking for Romance, never found it, and I missed Success by 16 miles!!  At least I made it home to Kentucky safe and sound. View Larger Map Success, Missouri]]>
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From Earth to Vulcan

From Earth to Vulcan

Alberta, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Giant Things, Large Statues, Murals, Museums, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Television Shows, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places
Welcome to Vulcan[/caption] A couple of days ago I posted an article about Earth, Texas.  Back in 2007 I had occasion to visit a friend of mine in Alberta, Canada.  One of the side trips we tool was to the town of Vulcan, which has taken full advantage of its name and the association with the TV show Star Trek. [caption id="attachment_160" align="alignleft" width="300"] Welcome sign in Klingon[/caption] Vulcan is a town located midway between the cities of Calgary and Lethbridge inthe prairies of Southern Alberta, Canada.  The population of the town was 1,940 in 2006, and the population of the county, which is also named Vulcan, was 3,718.  According to Wikipedia, "The town was named by a surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railroad in 1915 after the Roman God of…
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Going through a Hurricane and a Tornado in the same day

Going through a Hurricane and a Tornado in the same day

Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Murals, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, West Virginia
Through a Hurricane and a Tornado all in one afternoon[/caption] I got back yesterday from a trip to Oregon and left again today for a trip to North Carolina.  On the way, I took some back roads through West Virginia and literally went through a Hurricane and then a Tornado. [caption id="attachment_148" align="alignleft" width="300"] A Wall Mural in Hurricane, WV[/caption] According to the Hurricane Website, "it was a cool, misty morning in the year of 1774. A party of surveyors, commissioned by George Washington, traveled down the Kanawha River. As the sun was slowly rising, cutting through the fog of this early spring day, they noted in their journal that all the trees at the mouth of the creek were bent in the same direction. and they called the location…
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Where on earth is Earth?

Where on earth is Earth?

Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Found Metal Sculptures, Murals, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Texas, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Water Towers
Earth is that way[/caption] When returning from a trip to Arizona in May 2011, we came back through NM, visited Roswell and then, from all the UFO stuff in Roswell, we found ourselves arriving in Earth, TX. [caption id="attachment_135" align="alignleft" width="300"] Earth is only 6 miles away[/caption] According to a Wikipedia article, "Earth was established by William E. Halsell, who laid out the townsite in 1924. Originally Halsell named the town Fairlawn, but in 1925 it was renamed Earth when it was learned that there was already a town in Texas by the name of Fairlawn.In order to find a new name the townspeople sent in suggestions, and the agreed-upon best name was chosen. The name Earth was submitted by Ora Hume (O.H.) Reeves, who became the owner of the…
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Hungry? How about a visit to Rabbit Hash?

Hungry? How about a visit to Rabbit Hash?

Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Family Travel, Kentucky, Landscapes, Place Names, Post Offices, Random Thoughts, Roadside Attractions, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Yard Art
Rabbit Hash, KY[/caption] In October 2008 I took a two day road trip with my wife.  We went to Indiana and then came back via some back roads along the river.  Along the way we arrived at the scenic and unique riverside village called Rabbit Hash. [caption id="attachment_115" align="alignleft" width="199"] Rabbit Has Mayor - Lucy Lou[/caption] According to the Rabbit Hash website: "The town's name, "Rabbit Hash" is said to have originated during the flood of 1847 when the abundant local rabbit population was driven to higher ground and became a food staple in a special stew called "hash." Little documented history of Rabbit Hash actually survives, primarily because devastating Ohio River floods in 1884, 1913 and 1937 deluged the little town and ruined many records." Rabbit Hash is basically…
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What in the world does Toad Suck mean?

What in the world does Toad Suck mean?

Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Cross Country Road Trips, Place Names, Roadside Attractions, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places
Toad Suck, AR[/caption] In June 2007 I took a trip with my son Solomon down to Texas (see here for full trip report).  Along the way we visited some unique places.  Like Kentucky and West Virginia, Arkansas has a number of odd place names.  Toad Suck is one of those places. [caption id="attachment_96" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sumoflam in Toad Suck, AR[/caption] Like many odd named communities, Toad Suck has a small population. According to a local website, the town got its name as follows: "What does "Toad Suck" mean anyway? Well, the answer is quite simple... Long ago, steamboats traveled the Arkansas River when the water was at the right depth. When it wasn't, the captains and their crew tied up to wait where the Toad Suck Lock and Dam now…
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