July 26, 2014

Roadtrip Attractions

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Nevada State Route 375

To capitalize on the purported paranormal activity along the route, the Nevada Commission on Tourism sought to rename the highway. State officials drew inspiration from the alien legends and dubbed SR 375 the Extraterrestrial Highway in February 1996.[18] The tourism commission hoped that the renaming would "draw travelers to the austere and remote reaches of south-central Nevada, where old atomic bomb test sites, secret Defense Department airstrips and huge, sequestered tracts of military land create a marketable mystique."

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World's Largest Ball of Twine, Cawker City, Kan:

This ball of twine, built by a community, not just an individual, continues to grow during the annual "Twine-a-Thon" every August. At last measure, the ball weighed in at nearly 18,000 pounds and measured 40 feet in diameter.

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Carhenge, Alliance, Neb.:

Built by artist Jim Reinders in 1989, this installation of 38 vintage American cars in a formation replicating that of Stonehenge, nestles in the soft, long grasses of the Nebraska High Plains and tops many a list of cool roadside attractions. Unlike its more unruly Texan relative, Cadillac Ranch (mentioned later in this story), graffiti is prohibited in favor of a matte, primer grey finish.

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Enchanted Highway, Regent, N.D.:

Dotted along a 32-mile stretch of an unnumbered highway in the southwestern part of North Dakota, are the giant sculptural creations of local artist Gary Greff. Conceived as a way of enlivening and drawing tourism to Regent, North Dakota, the Enchanted Highway features the world’s largest scrap metal sculptures, taking a variety of forms, from a titan farmer with pitchfork to birds and fish in flight. For more of Greff’s quirky tastes, viewers can stay at his similarly-themed Enchanted Castle hotel, also in Regent.

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Randy's Donuts, Los Angeles:

Get your tasty pastry fix at any time of day at this iconic 24/7 sweet spot.Randy’s Donuts, a longtime landmark near Los Angeles’ LAX airport, with its giant rooftop donut sculpture, has been the backdrop for many a blockbuster film, includingIron Man 2, Get Shorty, Mars Attacks!, Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, as well as the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ music video, "Californication."

More at Quirky roadside America - a gallery on Flickr

Posted by gerardvanderleun at July 26, 2014 10:25 AM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

Well, after Nev, Kan, Neb and ND, Randy's doesn't look so bad.

Posted by: BillH at July 26, 2014 1:42 PM

Toss-up between Randy's Donuts, and Stan's Donuts in Westwood, for the tastiest pastries in L.A.

Posted by: Skorpion at July 26, 2014 4:18 PM

I vote for Randy's as the prime example of American Culture.

Posted by: chasmatic at July 26, 2014 10:21 PM

Well, the picture of Randy's Donuts is depressing. I grew up in LA in the 50s. Left 40 years ago. I remember the "Big Donut" shops as spiffy and clean, even if the architecture was a little quirky.

Posted by: SLM at July 26, 2014 10:33 PM

Citizens take heed. Data recently de-classified reveals certain ethnographic intercises with a common nexus of Roswell NM:
to Ash Springs NV 872.8 miles, 12:38 hours;
to Cawker City KS 684.4 miles, 10:38 hours;
to Alliance NE 705.2 miles, 10:48 hours;
to Regent ND 1158.4 miles, 17:24 hours;

Coincidence ... or ... is it?

Posted by: chasmatic at July 27, 2014 11:38 AM

Man...I agree, that is one depressing picture. Wait, it's supposed to be an iconic and popular donut shop? You know, a little paint and some sprucing up on the building would help give it a more appealing image.

Posted by: julio at July 27, 2014 2:25 PM

Randy's Donut Shoppe recently had a facelift, to make it blend in with the neighborhood.
The woman and children are rented from a model agency.

Posted by: chasmatic at July 27, 2014 5:33 PM

Didn't see the sculpture of the man leading the T-rex in the gallery, but it appears to be the exact sculpture located right along I-90 in SD. I think around the area of Midland by this "1880 Town" tourist trap that looks like an old West town.

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