#visit50

[mynewyearresolutions]

NYR- Idaho

This was my last stop for my 2015 New Years Resolution. I was in the town of Wallace, ID or better known as the “Center of the Universe” It was an old spaceship that had been in front of a restaurant for the past 50+ years! I am not sure how it got there. I am not going to rule out aliens!

It was just hard to believe at that point I had been to 49 of these 50 states! (Alaska I am coming for you in the spring)

It really was not till after I left this stop that it sunk in! I decided to celebrate and go to the local tavern for a beer! That was a sweet victory beer!

I think I drove through the Skinniest part of Idaho coming from Washington and then on my way home along I90.

It still was a beautiful drive through the mountains.

I had to say I was very fortunate in 2015. Being able to go on this remarkable journey and seeing parts of this nation I would have never dreamed of going to!

It is something I will never forget! I strongly encourage that if anyone was to decide to visit all 50 states to try to take back roads whenever possible! Thats where you really see what beauty is out there. Taking the highway only gets you to see more cement walls!

Thank you for being part of this and I am looking forward to my 2016 New Years Resolution!

[mynewyearresolutions]

NYR- West Virginia

What a great drive! Between this state and Virginia I would say It was one of the best parts of driving. The land was just beautiful!

Everywhere I went it was just one small town after another.

Just the history this land has seen!

So green and beautiful!

BEst part about road trips is taking drives on roads like these!

But the main reason I was here was to see the Nation Radio Astronomy Observatory.

This was about as close as I got. It wasn't until AFTER i stopped and made my video that I found the tourist information center. By then I still had a stop to make and didnt have time to go in.

Still as small as it looks that thing is truly massive!

As beautiful as it was it was also very VERY windy! however I have no regrets! It was a great drive and an awesome stop!

[mynewyearresolutions]

NYR- New Jersey

Not much to tell about this state. I was pretty much on the interstate most of the time.

I can say however that I was surprised how nice of a drive it was.

I really didn't take that many pictures. A lot of traffic and was behind schedule a bit.

I didn’t realize that like Oregon they have people to pump your gas for you. Was not used to that. I didn’t complain either..

I visited the Palace of Depression.. What was left of it. It was built, torn down, and now being built again using just whatever they could find around it.

Just was another stop.. on my way to Vermont that day..

Enjoy..

[mynewyearresolutions]

NYR- Montana

Actually got to drive through this state twice and on the second trip I got to see more of this state!

It was a very beautiful state despite the snow!

Either way It was a great drive!

But the reason I went was for this guy!

The grooming Indian is above an now closed up salon and spa. It is a cool statue at the corner of a very busy street.

[mynewyearresolutions]

NYR- North Carolina

I had a great early stop at Judaculla Rock. In Cullowhee, NC

An ancient American Indian marker to signal the end of the territory. It has engravings all over the rock.

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What was great about this stop was actually getting there.  It is a way from any major highway and it was such a peaceful morning and the surrounding area was just a great way to start the day driving!

I say this patch of the US. Driving through VA, WA, NC TN was just a joy. I did alot of backroads and small towns! Was just a great drive!

[mynewyearresolutions]

NYR- New Mexico

I wish I could say something cool about New Mexico.. Or something unique I thought about the state... I dont.... Driving through Santa Fe trying to find this tribute was cool. Looking at all the homes and driving through the back roads... However Nothing about New Mexico sticks out in my journey. Pretty much what you see in this header photo you see thorough the entire state. It was springtime when I was going through... I was past the half way point on that trip. I think I was more excited seeing my stop in TX and OK. However this stop was still unique.  a tribute to drug that the FDA turned down!

But score! you get to see part of my shoe!! Just another stop! But glad I did!

[mynewyearresolutions]

NYR- Washington

I made a stop in Colfax, WA home of the Codger Pole. This was a last minute change in my stops. I was going to go to an island where treadmills go to die however time would not allow. I am grateful because I was able to find this gem!

It was a nice small town and the people I talked to were very friendly!

Just the story about these men who 50 years later came back to play one last football game had to be exciting!

The story was fantastic!

What a great support of the community! This is why Americans are so great! Things like this!

The drive here is equally enjoyable.

When you are driving along before sunset and just drive through these lands all you can think about is that great tribute some to our country.. When they sing “along the fields of grain” they were talking about parts of Washington State!

I have noticed and mentioned before how each state has its own Character! This is proof!

Just driving through the small towns enjoying the perfect weather! It was so great!

Washing was a beautiful state! So glad I was able to drive through on such a perfect day!

[mynewyearresolutions]

NYR- California

The best thing about traveling so far is how I am noticing that each state has a unique look to it. Driving through California was great! All the pine trees and mountains were beautiful! Northern CA is alot different than along the southern tip of the state that I drove through earlier this year driving to AZ which was more desert and 2 lane roads. Still beautiful to see thought. 

Just driving through was great! Although at that point I had been driving for almost 2 days and was ready to get to the airport because I was on my way to Hawaii!

After an amazing Hawaii trip it was great to see my Black Lion and get back on the road! A small part of me did feel a little bad that as I was enjoying the sun and the beach my Black Lion was stuck in a small airport.. I got over it! LOL

It was amazing driving last the lakes and rivers and truly seeing the impact of the drought! The picture does not do justice. That river beat is at least 100+ or more lower than the tree line.

I found a few scenic stops along the way.

Now I know where they stop to take the pictures to make puzzles!

Pollard Flats from what I could tell was just a restaurant and gas station off the side of the road! However it was nothing short of a simple small restaurant.

It has been around for almost 100 years. 3rd generation owner. It is a great small pit stop. Walls are covered with history! The place never looked too busy but I am sure they do plenty of great business.

The food was fantastic! and the women working there were super nice and knew alot about the place. I was told about Gertie in their bathroom. How she has been around since the 60s or so and how  people have tried to steal her twice. Them finding her  stuck in the window and such. It was great just standing there and watching people walk into the bathroom and getting a small fright. What made it better is that Gertie has a motion sensor and at just never the right moment she starts screaming! It was awesome! I was told however in the back bathroom they kept a live snake.. I was not going to go back and find out.... No Thank You!