Roadside Americana

Though it may have gained world-wide visibility since appearing in the movie Michael Clayton, the Moodna Viaduct has been operational in New York's Hudson River Valley since 1909. It is currently undergoing a restoration by the MTA. Just down the road from Storm King Art Center, the corner of Orrs ...

I am finding more and more that riding my motorcycle is an education in history and in life. I snapped the following photograph along Twin Arch Rd in Washingtonville, New York. The railroad bridge spans part of Otter Kill and the roadway with a twin arch (go figure!). While poking around ...

The mermaids of legend were said to enchant men with their nubile beauty and alluring song. They were notorious for running ships aground or luring sailors to their demise into the seas. Along the Massachusetts and New York border, I spied this curious piece of yard art. Just as in ...

Saturday was absolutely spectacular weather-wise. All throughout the day I found myself debating whether or not I should close the vents on my jacket. At speed the air was quite cool and seemed very un-August-y. Given that I am not a fan of the heat, I found it absolutely delicious ...

On Saturday morning when Kenny and I left the house, I didn't have very much of a plan for our motorcycle ride other than I knew that I wanted to try to see the two most southern of New York State's Mail Pouch Tobacco barns. The first barn we would visit was ...

It's no secret that the love of offbeat, unusual and downright silly roadside architecture and objects is something that oftentimes motivates me to hop on the motorcycle to go and have a look-see. Over the years I have made it a habit to first consult the online bible of Offbeat ...

Ride to Eat. What motorcyclist hasn’t uttered that phrase? On Thursday evening under the warm glow of the setting July sun, we set off to rustle up some grub at a well known roadside eatery here on Long Island called The Shack. The Shack has been sitting in its very ...

Be Prepared to see more than you expect - You’ll be amazed, is what the sign says outside of Roadside America in Shartlesville, Pennsylvania. Actually, I didn’t even have to venture inside to be amazed. I was amazed that 90 percent of the would-be customers who wheel in to the ...

Under Sunday afternoon's sunny skies heading towards the finishing point of the 2009 Ramapo 500 ride, Kenny and I lumbered along a lovely tree-lined roadway in Sussex County, New Jersey behind a parade of unfortunately very slow moving motorcycles. After about 5 miles of torture taken a snail's pace, we ...

On our way home from celebrating the Independence Day weekend in Maine, we were detoured off of our natural route home by a road closure. As luck would have it, our travels led us passed this curious beast that was parked with a For Sale sign on it. Naturally, at ...

The town of Rockland sits on Midcoast Maine’s Penobscot bay. A perfect strolling town, lined by charming window displays of clever artisan’s works, sparkly baubles and puffin related souvenirs, Rockland brings to mind what a small American town should look like. No strip malls, no Burger King drive thru, no ...

The number of wacky cars that we've been encountering lately is really starting to become comical. Is Long Island some kind of hotbed for art car activity? Will everyone soon be driving around in giant fiberglass highheels and riding banana bikes? If so, maybe I'll finally start to love this ...

When I’m out on the road or on the move I try to keep my senses open to absorb my surroundings. There is so much to experience out there in the world both great and small. Sometimes your travels will take you past picturesque settings of mountain ranges echoed in ...

In a game of Mr. Mouth, who do you think would win? The bird or the Point Lookout fisherman? ...

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It happens all the time. It's the things that are closest to us that we often overlook the greatness of. Stargazer by Linda Scott sits out in a field here on Long Island and is often referred to as the 'Gateway to the Hamptons' ...

What...? What is that awesomeness that I spy over there at pump number one? YES! Why yes, it IS a hamburger car! Even Kenny cannot deny the greatness of the burgermobile. Could this one really be it this time? Dare I say it? Best. Car. Ever? ...

I don't recall ever seeing a Mail Pouch Tobacco Barn in NY, but I guess the do exist. I love seeing them as we cruise through the south. There is something so distinctly American about them. I think I grinned at every single one I saw last week ...

I had the whole day to myself yesterday. It was really the first full day ride of the season. I found myself wandering around in the sunshine, going nowhere in particular just letting the miles flutter by. It felt so good to be free in the world. I happened across ...

When I came in from my ride today I said to Kenny, 'You've gotta see the pictures of this car that I saw today. It's only the best car, EVER!!!' Naturally, when I make a giddy statement like that Kenny looks at me with a wee bit of skepticism. I ...

Today while I was out and about, I spied what appeared to be the home for wayward Delorean cars. Surely this has got to be the largest concentration of the stainless steel 80s icon in one place? While I was looking around the web to find out a bit more about ...

Burp ...

While Kenny was busy demolishing things in our house, I thought it best that I make myself scarce for a little while. I set off into the blue of the afternoon while the rest of my little family was busy. I stumbled across a giant bull on someone's farm. Further ...

Last night was chilly but lovely while out poking around. It's still cold enough out that any riding that you do feels good, regardless of the quality ...

Did you know that Long Island has it's very own Sphinx? Isn't it just like a man to give you mixed signals? Climb on up... you can have everything! Climbing is prohibited ...