The Impossible Road Trip : An Unforgettable Journey to Past and Present Roadside Attractions in All 50 States

Filled with color photography, entertaining site descriptions and histories, and five unique infographic map illustrations, The Impossible Road Trip is your ultimate look back at America’s most famous—and quirkiest—roadside attractions, past and present. The great American road trip is back. With its advantages for your health, budget, and the environment, now is the time to plan the road trip you have always dreamed of taking . Following in the great tradition of the mid-century golden age of car travel, join the new wave of road warriors with a targeted itinerary chosen from the 150 roadside attractions explored in this colorful guide. From famous to quirky and covering all 50 states , author Eric Dregni gives you an unprecedented look at the breadth of roadside attractions in the US, illustrated in part by the photography of architectural critic and photographer John Margolies (1940–2016). Specially commissioned infographic map illustrations capture the spirit of mid-century automobile travel. Each site depicted is accompanied by a lively and insightful history and color imagery . From autumnal New England to the gothic South, from the homey Midwest to the great expanses of the Desert Southwest, the dizzying heights of the Rocky Mountains, and the breathtaking Pacific Coast, The Impossible Road Trip encompasses it all: Neon-shrouded motels Mimetic architecture Tourist traps Roadside sculpture And much more You'll see sites both famous and esoteric, including the Cardiff Giant in Cooperstown, New York; the five-story Haines Shoe House in York, Pennsylvania; Solomon's Castle in Florida; the world's largest fish in Hayward, Wisconsin; one of several Paul Bunyan statues ; Bob's Big Boy in Burbank, California; and so many more. With The Impossible Road Trip in hand, set out to discover the nation’s oft-overlooked nooks and crannies . Cover Contents INTRODUCTION 1 NORTHEAST ORGONE–ENERGY ACCUMULATOR SANTA CITIES HANG YOUR HAT, OR ELSE! 99 BOTTLES OF MILK ON THE WALL SHRIVELED SIREN OF THE SEA MIGHTY TERMITE VIKING LIGHTHOUSE? PLAGUE TOWERS DUCK SOUP A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE . . . THE JERSEY SHORE INTO THE BELLY OF THE BEAST MAN OF STEEL FLYING SAUCER SKI SHACK HANGOVER HELPER ABSTRACT EMBRACE BIG SHOES TO FILL 2 SOUTHEAST ALMOST HEAVEN? 7TH WONDER OF THE WORLD SHE SELLS SEA-SHELL GAS BUREAU OF INFORMATION THE PEACHOID PEDRO LAND PRESIDENTIAL PEANUT RED ROOSTER, RED ROOSTER BETTER LIVING THROUGH FOAM SILVER CITADEL SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES BARENAKED DEITIES SELLING YOUR SOUL FOR THE BLUES THE JAWS OF DEATH ROMAN ARM LA PHARMACIE FRANÇAISE BEWARE OF FALLING BIRDS ALL HAIL ATHENA! FLYING FROM PARIS TO POWELL BAT BOY DRIVE-IN DRUGS 3 MIDWEST WORLD’S LARGEST PICNIC BASKET THE SNAKE THAT SWALLOWED THE MOON HE’S A LUMBERJACK AND HE’S OK TITANIC TIRE ELEPHANTS ON PARADE METROPOLIS OF THE CORNFIELDS BIG BAD JOHN CAR KEBAB! VIKINGS IN ILLINOIS? I SCREAM SHINY STEEL RAINBOW PET ROCKS WHERE NO MAN WAS BORN BEFORE ROLL OVER, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT! LEVIATHAN OF THE LAKES STEAMPUNK SPACESHIP SOMETHING’S FISHY IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN IF YOU BUILD IT WILL THEY COME? BIG BOVINE TOUR OF NORTH DAKOTA WORLD’S BIGGEST BIRDFEEDER JURASSIC JUNGLE GYMS THE COUNCIL OF THE DRUIDS AT CARHENGE FROM SOD HOUSE DWELLER TO PLASTIC TYCOON TWINE BALL BATTLE! WHAT’S BURIED IN YOUR BACKYARD? 4 SOUTHWEST MIDAS’S FAUSTIAN BARGAIN BOTTICELLI OF THE BATHROOM SHAKE YOUR TAILFINS SACRED SOIL GETTING INSIDE A COW’S HEAD WILD FOR WIGWAMS BUILD IT UP WITH BRICKS AND MORTAR PROJECT BLUE BOOK APOCALYPSE ARCHITECTURE TROGLODYTE DWELLINGS HOT DOG HEAVEN COLORADO CAMELOT 5 WEST ATTACK RABBITS DHARMA BUDDHAS COLDEST SPOT IN THE COUNTRY SURPRISES FROM ABOVE! GAS GAG ALL HAT AND NO COWBOY EMBRACING OUR INNER NEANDERTHAL BIG BROWN JUG “FAT BOY” BURGERS TINSELTOWN THEATER TOUR HEAVENLY HALO OF DOUGH NO, THANKS . . . I’M FULL BEST DOG EVER COOKED COOK Acknowledgments About the Author Image Credits Index A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W **Filled with color photography, entertaining site descriptions and histories, and five unique infographic map illustrations, __The Impossible Road Trip__ is your ultimate look back at America’s most famous—and quirkiest—roadside attractions, past and present.****plan the road trip you have always dreamed of taking****150 roadside attractions****famous to quirky****covering all 50 states****architectural critic and photographer John Margolies** **Specially commissioned infographic map illustrations** **lively and insightful history** **color imagery**__The Impossible Road Trip__ * Neon-shrouded motels * Mimetic architecture * Tourist traps * Roadside sculpture * And much more **Cardiff Giant****five-story Haines Shoe House****Solomon's Castle****world's largest fish****Paul Bunyan statues****Bob's Big Boy**__The Impossible Road Trip__**discover the nation’s oft-overlooked nooks and crannies** "The Impossible Road Trip explores the roadside of all of America's 50 states, recalling the golden age of car travel with histories and color photos of iconic roadside attractions, as well as specially commissioned maps."-- Provided by publisher The Impossible Road Trip Explores The Roadside Of All Of America's 50 States, Recalling The Golden Age Of Car Travel With Histories And Color Photos Of Iconic Roadside Attractions, As Well As Unique Map Illustrations.