south carolina

There are hundreds if not thousands of things to criticize the Trump Administration, the Republican Congress, and the Supreme Court about. Seriously. But people, could we get a grip and focus on prioritizing some of them?

I’m talking about the newly vacant Senate seats in South Carolina and almost in Kentucky.

Stephen Colbert is not running for it. He doesn’t live in South Carolina. He doesn’t want the job. There is a perfectly good candidate running right now – Dr. Annie Andrews. Donate and vote for her.
Stop talking about the suggestion that Graham’s sister be appointed to fill out his term. This is a normal suggestion when a congressperson dies in office. This is something that is done. For anyone saying she has no experience as a politician, I thought that was what we wanted from those running for Congress – outsiders?
He’s wearing jeans…..STFU – people wear street clothes in rehab. That’s the least of the questions.
Stop talking about if it’s AI or not AI – you know the picture I’m talking about. If McConnell won’t meet anyone in person, call the special election, and let him call you out on it. Personally, I think he died.
Follow and support Marc Elias and Democracy Docket.

When I was a kid I was lucky enough that my parents took my siblings and I on many family vacations. I learned history on many of these trips. We visited family in Toronto, Canada, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We also went to Niagara Falls, the Ontario Science Center, and Disneyworld. We were really lucky. A few of the other places we traveled to on our East Coast adventures were what you might call kitschy or roadside attractions. We never saw a great ball of twine or see Area 51 or even the Corn Palace, but we went to Amish Country, the Fountain of Youth, South of the Border and Zinn’s Diner (now closed). I remember the last two vividly. South of the Border was like entering into a fantasyland filled with neon lights and fireworks stands. The giant man in the sombrero was even more gigantic to small children, aged 4-8.

Photo Credit: Leonard J. DeFrancisci, July 2008

Photo Credit: Matthew Logan

Zinn's Diner Postcard

Public Domain

The Disney/Pixar movie Cars reminded us of those things found on the road trip of following Route 66, seeing things that couldn’t be seen anywhere else, and I thought about my childhood of road trips both north and south. Everyone should see at least one ridiculous roadside attraction in their lives, and if they’re lucky, they should see many more.

Here are a few suggestions and resources:

Budget Travel’s 25 Wackiest Roadside Attractions (Slideshow)

Budget Travel’s Ultimate Road Trip App

Things You Will See on a Road Trip Across America

South of the Border

Amos the Amish Man Giant Statue

Amos’ Current Location

Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

Corn Palace

Great Ball of Twine

Route 66

Niagara Falls – not so much roadside attraction, but a can’t be missed world wonder