Roadside attractions – following what makes you laugh
Did you grow up taking road trips with your family? Were the destinations places like the National Parks, or to visit the big “must see” attractions? When I read about full-time RVers traveling across America, so many stories are filled with advice to get the passes to different parks, and the maps where people check off how many they’ve seen. What if the “usual” sites aren’t what make you happy? What if quirky roadside attractions are what make you smile?
Roadside Attractions as Adventure
But if life is enjoyed in the journey, not just at a destination, wouldn’t that apply to seeing America too? In my view, you can have adventures in your backyard, not just exotic places. After all, everywhere is somebody’s backyard! Now that I’m becoming “location independent,” I aim to apply “be a tourist in your own hometown” by meeting people and seeing their hometowns through their eyes. (If you want to meet up – leave a comment, or send me an email through the contact form – up on the menu tab! How fun would this be???)
Using adventure to discover what I find fun, I have come to realize I love creative, quirky and oddball things. I believe it was while watching the movie Michael (where John Travolta plays the archangel, who insists on seeing the world’s largest ball of twine) that the idea of seeing America by it’s roadside attractions became a seed to my dream for how to travel this great country. When the vision to become location-independent started becoming a reality, I happened upon an app called “Roadside America” (which lets you have one section of the country for free – so check out your area!) that lists all those unusual, off the highway, sights. Now that we are on our journey, we are following what makes us laugh.
Hope this inspires you to find your own way of exploring!
Our first three legs
After selling my house, it feels like our journey so far has felt like three parts: staying in Massachusetts where I grew up while we finalized details, a trip back to New York (but not NYC…there’s always something quirky there! I will lump Connecticut in here, as we stopped along the way), and then onwards to northern Michigan (which also includes Pennsylvania and Ohio). The journey has started, but it’s barely just begun! Here’s a photo essay of some of the fun things along the way:
Massachusetts
My hometown – which needs an entry for this funky commuter train museum! A funny class is offered there occasionally – stone cutting! In Little Italy we found forks and knives embedded in the sidewalk! This odd little alley didn’t look like much, but played a big part in Boston’s early bread eating days. My research assistant, Mr. Google, couldn’t find a reason for the paved utensils, but did tell me about Baker’s Alley.A fun sign we passed, turns out it’s listed as a Roadside America attraction. I think my elder son has visited the store and enjoyed their selection.I’ve loved these ducks ever since I read the book “Make Way for Ducklings” as a kid. Passing on my adoration for the oddball to my sons!When your love for your team needs a really, really BIG shirt to show your pride…An odd little alley in Kendall Square where artists play and musicians hang out. The colors make me happy.Can you believe this Dr. Seuss-looking building is part of MIT? So funky I love it!A new boutique hotel near Fenway. Going for a visit is like checking out a music museum where I know who the artists are they feature (Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and J. Guiles!)I don’t think this would be in any written side attraction, but we figured there aren’t many states we can walk in and buy weed (or rather, craft chocolate with some extra feel-good ingredient. Because chocolate!! #nomnom)
New York
Halfway between Boston and NYC, is a little river town called Haddam. A different way to explore an area – visiting where your ancestors once lived. Maybe not so quirky to me, but definitely different. Weirdly fun to see an ancestor’s gravestone from the late 1600s!Little known site in New Haven where Yale students live…a brick path showcasing past students of the now-defunct frat house. Rumor has it President Bush once lived there. I wonder, did he drink Bud Light? The secret society may never tell…Woodstock, NY itself is creativity and quirky everywhere, so I chose these two images to represent all we saw. It’s everything you imagine, with a sense of humor.
Next stop, Michigan
Not the usual rest stops in Pennsylvania, but way more interesting! If you had the choice of a submarine, the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, or a large rubber stamp that says “FREE”…what would you choose? I guess we have more to see in Cleveland!We went off the main highway to see an oversized chicken in a t-shirt. Bonus was the chair and a big foot (which was only my height!). I give this a big ridiculous score!From the chicken, we took the road to Hell. The best part about Hell? How much fun the people who live/work there were having. PS – if you want to get married in Hell, there’s a church waiting for you and two bars for a reception!Cops & Donuts has a gift shop that’s twice the size of the pastry store! (Side note: they offer one gluten free treat!) A roadside attraction that’s also a great pit stop!The Leaning Tower of Pizza (top left) was seen as we whizzed by on the highway near Ann Arbor. It had been built and abandoned by Dominos. An insane asylum (top right) that’s being turned into condos, and has a cow’s gravestone in the back field. Another marker to see the USA? By finding 45th Parallel signs. So far, one down and a whole bunch to go!A Detroit artist painted this house, which is part of a restaurant in town that’s being upgraded. If they bring WC Bevan back to paint the whole thing, it will definitely be worth the detour!This funky house used to be a restaurant, and before that the local train depot! I may need to submit this to Roadside America too! It’s right by the marina, so easy to drive by and admire the oddball collection of art.Will jump for pie! Here is the World’s Largest Pie Pan, holding the Guinness Record for a cherry pie that was 17’6″ and weighed 28,350 pounds!
These are the highlights of the kooky things and roadside attractions we stopped to see along the way. Not all are in the app, some just pop up and make us smile, giggle or laugh. A great way to add to an adventure! Don’t worry – more to come! We have started mapping out our next route, planning only one stop a day (otherwise, we’d never reach our friends and our next temporary home).
Are you inspired to check out sights that are on the “unique” side? Let me know what crazy fun sights you live near, or have seen along the way! I’m also open for suggestions for other off-the-highway, roadside attractions that make you laugh. (In the comments below!!)
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Well during a blizzard I’ve stayed next to the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD, visited the Hodag statue in Wisconcin, seen the giant Ukranian Easter Egg in Saskatchawan, heard the Taos hum, rode a Jakelope in Wyoming, and visited “The Thing” in Arizona. All worthy destinations! I’m glad to see you are so enjoying your travels!
Going to check out the Hodag statue and see if it’s on our way! I’ll be sure to update on more fun events as we go along. I’m looking forward to seeing you when we go to your state!!
You need more fun & spontaneity in your life, and aren’t sure of next steps or the path to follow. Let’s connect! You could choose a free 15 minute chat, various courses, or even select one-to-one coaching.
LINKS!!!!
I have some links in the beginning, but you’d like me to add the ones to each place in the photos? Or as a resource at the end?
Well during a blizzard I’ve stayed next to the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD, visited the Hodag statue in Wisconcin, seen the giant Ukranian Easter Egg in Saskatchawan, heard the Taos hum, rode a Jakelope in Wyoming, and visited “The Thing” in Arizona. All worthy destinations! I’m glad to see you are so enjoying your travels!
Going to check out the Hodag statue and see if it’s on our way! I’ll be sure to update on more fun events as we go along. I’m looking forward to seeing you when we go to your state!!