Category: Central

13 May 2017

Love’s Travel Stop, Gary, Indiana

Written by Steve Johnson

April 26, 2017: After leaving the ATC trailer factory in Nappanee, IN, the first place we took our new toy hauler was Love’s Travel Stop in Gary, IN. We needed to fill the two propane tanks. We didn’t realize Gary, IN was the murder capital of the United States. We only came here because...

11 May 2017

Kankakee Train Station: Inspiration of a Song

Written by Steve Johnson

“All along the southbound odyssey The train pulls out at Kankakee Rolls along past houses, farms and fields” Steve Goodman wrote those words while aboard along a passenger train that was actually named “City of New Orleans”. It ran from Chicago to New Orleans. I couldn’t help hearing the song (Arlo Guthrie’s version) as...

Illinois, Roadside Attractions Kankakee 1 Comment

11 May 2017

Kankakee, IL: The Birth of Dairy Queen

Written by Steve Johnson

April 25, 2017: Kankakee, IL is not a city many have heard of, except if you live in Illinois. But it’s famous for a couple of things. One of them being the hometown of Dairy Queen. It’s not where Dairy Queen corporate headquarters are, but where it first took off. (Read our reviews of...

Illinois, Roadside Attractions Kankakee 1 Comment

11 May 2017

Effingham, IL: America’s Largest Cross

Written by Steve Johnson

When one sees how big this cross is, one has to wonder how religious the folks in Effingham, IL really are. The “Cross at the Crossroads” was completed in July 2001 by the Cross Foundation, a non-profit group based in Effingham. The Cross serves as a venue for local events. (Read our reviews of...

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28 May 2014

Indian Motorcycle Factory Tour, Spirit Lake, IA

Written by Steve Johnson

The Indian Motorcycle Factory Tour in Spirit Lake, IA offers a unique, up close and personal look at how one of the most storied motorcycle brands in the world is made. Polaris Industries, the owner of Indian Motorcycles, assembles each motorcycle, along with their Victory brand of motorcycles, at their facility in Spirit Lake....

Iowa, Roadside Attractions 10 Comments

15 September 2013

Green Giant Statue of Blue Earth, MN

Written by Steve Johnson

Just off the I-90 in Blue Earth, MN, stands a 55 1/2 foot tall statue of the “Jolly Green Giant”, the corporate symbol of Green Giant brand of frozen and canned foods. It was actually a Facebook friend of mine, Stephen Johnson, a fellow craft beer aficionado (who happens to share my name), that...

Minnesota, Roadside Attractions 1 Comment

14 September 2013

The SPAM Museum of Austin, MN

Written by Steve Johnson

What is exactly in SPAM? Is it bad for you? Is it good for you? How is it made? When was it invented? All these questions and more are found in none other than… …The SPAM Museum! Located in the tiny town of Austin, MN, just a hop-skip-jump away from the factory where SPAM...

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13 September 2013

Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge: 1960’s Tiki Room

Written by Steve Johnson

When I heard of “Minnesota Sushi” I imagined slices of raw muskellunge, crappie, or walleye, buddied up with a cheese curd, then stuffed inside balls of rice. It turns out it was nothing of the sort. Instead, a lovely young auburn-haired server presented me with a plate of sliced pickles smeared with cream cheese...

Minnesota, Restaurants American, Bars 1 Comment

19 August 2013

Steve’s Place of Burlington, IA

Written by Steve Johnson

Steve’s Place in Burlington, IA may not seem like much of a place from the outside, and if you haven’t read about it, you’ll likely pass it by. During the day, it’s a quiet place to get a cheap beer and a decent lunch for not a lot of money. But by night, the...

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19 August 2013

Snake Alley: Twistiest Road in the USA

Written by Steve Johnson

When you think of the crookedest street in the world, you think of Lombard Street in San Francisco. It turns out it’s actually Snake Alley in Burlington, IA.

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