Sumoflam’s Bio
David “Sumoflam” Kravetz
Always Enjoying the Ride!
David “Sumoflam” Kravetz
Who Is Sumoflam?
David “Sumoflam” Kravetz is a travel writer, photographer, roadside historian, community builder and self-described Collector of Places based in Lexington, Kentucky.
For more than three decades, Sumoflam has traveled America’s back roads and lesser-known highways in search of the quirky, the beautiful, the humorous, and the overlooked—documenting the normal, the wacky, the wonderful, and the wonderfully odd.
He has visited all 50 U.S. states, traveled widely internationally, lived in Japan for six years, and remains deeply influenced by Japanese culture and history. He is the author of five published books in the Less Beaten Paths of America series, with three additional volumes in early development, and creator of the travel blog Less Beaten Paths, where he continues to celebrate unusual Americana, hidden places, and the joy of wandering.
He is the author of the Less Beaten Paths of America book series. See more at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0784XVGSW
Why “Sumoflam”?
The nickname Sumoflam dates back to 1994 and grew out of an online handle combined with inspiration from songwriter and artist Antsy McClain’s whimsical Flamingohead universe. The pink flamingo mascot—designed by Antsy—became the enduring symbol of Sumoflam Productions, David’s longtime creative imprint.
Over time, “Sumoflam” became more than a nickname or a brand. As friends have joked, Sumoflam is a category — a blend of curiosity, humor, backroads wandering, and creative mischief.
(And yes, there is now an Indian painkiller called Sumoflam. David was here first.)
Inspiring Curiosity
David has contributed photography and place documentation for decades through Google, Roadside America, blogs, books, and social media. His Google contributions alone have generated more than 163 million views, reflecting a lifelong mission to inspire curiosity about the world’s overlooked corners.
He is a major contributor to Roadside America, a longtime photographer of birds, landscapes, and roadside oddities, and an active builder of online communities. He founded Lexington Parks Photographers, now more than 10,000 members strong, and serves as admin or co-admin of several specialty Facebook communities, including Sandhill Crane Photographers (26,000+ members), Sumoflam’s Happyville, Water Towers of America, and Traveler’s Post Office Photos.
These communities reflect a lifelong affection for the whimsical, the overlooked, and the joy of shared discovery.
Current Adventures
Current projects include:
- Four Seasons of Jacobson Park
- Three developing additions to the Less Beaten Paths of America series
- The Stay Wanderful Roadside Collection
- The Alternate Intelligence essay series
- Miles and Sumoflam Travel Through History
Choose Happy
Now approaching his 70th birthday, David still believes what he has long practiced:
Choose Happy
The Journey is the Destination
Always Enjoying the Ride
Updated April 24, 2026