Pink Motel

The Pink Motel, classic neon motel sign, in Cherokee, North Carolina

I Love Chick-Fil-A Billboards!

   While I wish more of our road trips took back roads, that would mean seeing few to no billboards. And while many billboards feature your standard "ad here" " exit here" "visit this place", the Chick-Fil-A restaurant has come up with some really creative and cute advertising. I love these cows! I have tried to capture every one I see and I can't wait to see what they come up with next!

Billboards You Would Only See in the South

Signs, Everywhere Signs, Old Motel Signs

Another "sign" that I was born in the wrong decade(or perhaps have intense feelings from past lives), is the feeling I get when seeing old motel signs. There almost isn't anything that evokes life on the road quite like a kitschy and googie architectured motel sign. The giant arrows, "vacancy" neon, and bright colors-all now fading into nothingness. The old "motor hotels" along Route 66, Dixie Highway and other roads that were the interstate before the interstate. There aren't many left so I try to get snapshots when I can. New motel/hotel signs are so boring now. 

Give me the past anyday.

Etowah Motel in Etowah, Tennessee. I've been told it's gone now.

Scenic Motel, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

411 Motel, Maryville, Tennessee

Tuckaleechee Village, Townsend, Tennessee

Canal Motel, Old Route 66, Chain of Rocks, Illinois

Bel-Aire Manor Motel, Old Route 66 Springfield, Illinois

Overton Motel, Livingston, Tennessee

Sands Motel, Van Horn, Texas

Bridgeway Motel, Smithville, Tennessee

Ragland Motel, Indian Mound, Tennessee

The Art of the Welcome Sign

While traveling through other states, one of our traditions is to get a photo of the "Welcome to 'Our State'" signs. No, not like many tourists, where you stop the car and have all the family pose in front of the sign-we don't have time for that sort of thing! But I get the shots nonetheless. And I love seeing how different states choose to welcome visitors who have arrived from their neighboring state.

"Welcome to Alabama the Beautiful" and an addition mentioning the current governor; Interstate 65. Short but sweet with a  nice little slogan and an extra sign that might have to be changed every few years.
Many more after the break....

Cairo, Illinois

Beautiful brick roads.
Even the street signs are ancient.

Tunnel through one of the levee walls. The town is completely surrounded by levees. This route north has a gate that would come down in case of flooding. I'm not certain how old it is or if it is even still usable or effective.


A welcoming sign across the railroad tracks. This view looks south heading into town.

Signs from the Road II

Signs from the Road

Porky's BBQ

Snapped this one quickly while driving through Crossville recently. I wonder how their bbq tastes? Makes me hungry just thinking about it!