Nature and America the Weird

Desert Mountain, Montana.

Accessed via Martin City, off of the East Reservoir Road near the Hungry Horse Reservoir, a nine-mile drive through the Coram Experimental Forest leads you to this beautiful vista of the Northern Flathead Valley. Also viewable are the many peaks in Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald, and the north and middle forks of the Flathead River.

This has always been a favorite place to stop and camp; it's less than 20 minutes off of HWY 2, rarely occupied, and is literally the best driveable place to see the Northern Lights in the area. Even when the lights are not active, you can catch a tinge on the horizon, and the stars are legendary.

Carhenge was an exciting stop in Nebraska. We had been coming out of the Black Hills in South Dakota to roll into the Nebraska Panhandle. Suddenly, several electrical storms surrounded us on the drive into Alliance, NE.

As ill-advised as running into a field of metal objects in a lightning storm is... we got some amazing shots. It was only made better by the thunder and constant barrage of barn owls dive-bombing us from the old cars. Truly an amazing piece of art!

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a land rich in nature, history, and wide-open spaces. It was originally homesteaded by Scandinavian populations during the early expansion of the United States. It's one of the best-kept secrets in Michigan and the North-Central US.

Da Yoopers Tourist Trap was very strange stop. Generational residents of Michigan's Upper Peninsula (or U.P.) are affectionately self-referred to as "Yoopers".

This roadside tourist trap is one of a few remaining of its kind. It has everything from a classic-car snowplow to the world's largest firing rifle. This room was up there on the list of bizarre, but it was very unique nonetheless.

Another wonderful backroad stop. Di Lane Plantation is not easy to get to, but if you put in the time driving old country roads through historic plantations, you'll find this gem. The atmosphere was eerily warm, due to Henry Berol's deep love, admiration, and care for his animals. He obviously had a personal relationship with each one.

"Berol's Bessie Iola -- A wonderful bitch with a sad ending" Feb 1, 1953 - June 6, 1957.

Henry Berol, an heir to the Eagle Pencil Co. purchased 8,100 acres in Burke County, Georgia in the early 1950s. The property was intended for running field trials for registered competition dogs. The land was stocked with quail over six courses to train the animals. Mr. Berol had such compassion for his animals that he buried them all in a private iron gated cemetery with epitaphs on individual headstones reflecting his deeply personal feelings toward each animal.

Mary Paulsen has created a masterpiece of American folk art, located outside Holden Beach, South Carolina. There are several buildings constructed out of old wine bottles, and they feature lots of original folk art, including several collections featuring Betty Boop, Elvis, and Coca Cola. In front, there are some chapels and Christian/Christmas related buildings.

Also, a must-stop up the road is Fort Apache. It's difficult to describe, but is nonetheless another great stop on a Weird America tour.