Mar

On the Road Again: The Art of Travel

by Meredith Mullins on March 25, 2019

Center of the Nation sign, a roadside sign that invites the art of travel. (Image © DMT.)

In search of America
© DMT

Discovering America: Roadside Signs and Attractions

What keeps you going isn’t some fine destination but just the road you’re on, and the fact that you know how to drive.
—Barbara Kingsolver

There are hundreds of quotes about the art of travel (and the art of living), especially words that suggest that the journey matters as much as the destination . . . often more.

This philosophy is right on target when exploring one of the cornerstones of American life—the road trip.

Four million miles of highways can tell a good story—the roadside signs and attractions offer a realistic glimpse into the fabric of America.

South Dakota state road sign, showing the power of road signs for the art of travel. (Image © DMT.)

Welcome to South Dakota.
© DMT

From the Burma Shave ads of the 50s and 60s that stretched their storyline into six sequential signs to the roadside signs and attractions of today, we are given a window to the character of the people and places along the highway.

All we have to do is look.

Oh I see. What a great way to discover America.

Horse sign, an unusual roadside sign encouraging the art of travel. (Image © DMT.)

Americana at its best
© DMT

In the Beginning . . .

WE’RE WIDELY READ
AND OFTEN QUOTED
BUT IT’S SHAVES
NOT SIGNS
FOR WHICH WE’RE NOTED
Burma-Shave

When you ask what roadside signs are lodged in memory, most people who were in a car in the 50s and 60s will smile as they recall the Burma Shave signs.

The company was known for its innovative roadside advertising. Each of the six signs posted at intervals along the road had one line of verse. The grand finale was BURMA-SHAVE—the brushless shaving cream of the time.

The poems were often quoted; and travelers, it was said, could never read just one of the signs. The fun was putting the poem all together.

WE DON’T
KNOW HOW
TO SPLIT AN ATOM
BUT AS TO WHISKERS
LET US AT ‘EM
Burma-Shave

THE CROWD
YOU SEE
AROUND THAT STORE
ARE BURMA SHAVERS
BUYING MORE
Burma-Shave

DON’T LOSE
YOUR HEAD
TO GAIN A MINUTE
YOU NEED YOUR HEAD
YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT
Burma-Shave

The signs worked well for the company, growing its brand significantly and, in many instances, increasing attention on highway safety. Sadly, the last of these signs disappeared from the roadside in 1966.

Hell Is Real! roadside sign encouraging the art of travel. (Image © iStock/tacojim.)

Not quite Burma Shave, but eye catching just the same
© iStock/tacojim

We All Need a Little Humor in Our Lives

Several creative characters on today’s highways have continued the inventive roadside spirit of keeping drivers amused, informed, and awake.

Vince Rozmiarek of the Indian Hills Community Center in Colorado posts a few pearls of wisdom each week on the community center’s sign.

DOGS
CAN’T OPERATE
MRI SCANNERS
BUT CATSCAN

PUNS ABOUT
COMMUNISM AREN’T
FUNNY UNLESS
EVERYONE
GETS THEM

TURNING VEGAN
WOULD BE A
BIG
MISSED STEAK

MY MOOD RING
IS MISSING
AND I DON’T
KNOW HOW I FEEL
ABOUT THAT

PROCRASTINATORS
ANONYMOUS
MEETING
POSTPONED
INDEFINITELY

Indian Hills Community Center roadside sign, encouraging the art of travel. (Image courtesy of Indian Hills Community Center.)

Indian Hills Community Center’s Creative Genius
Photo Courtesy of Indian Hills Community Center

The El Arroyo Restaurant in Austin, Texas shows the same genius in their changing billboard.

Six out of seven dwarves aren’t Happy.
Anything I say before coffee cannot be used against me.
Dear Math. Grow up and solve your own problems.
Treat your mom to a margarita. You’re probably the reason she drinks.

And, one in an attempt at highway safety:

If you’re reading this sign, you’re not watching the road.

Guided by Roadside Signs

Roadside signs provide more than just a smile for highway travelers. They also tempt those on the road to the food and sights of the region.

Who could resist love, peace, and chicken grease?

Love, Peace, andChicken Grease roadside sign, encouraging the art of travel. (Image © Lauren Gezurian-Amlani.)

Or pork with an attitude?

Pork with an attitude roadside sign in Memphis, encouraging the art of travel. (Image © Lauren Gezurian-Amlani.)

Or 24-hour coffee?

24-hour coffee roadsign, encouraging the art of travel. (Image © iStock/anna42f.)

Or Bar and BBQ at the Redneck Riviera?

Redneck Riviera roadside sign, encouraging the art of travel. (Image © Lauren Gezurian-Amlani.)

Along with the temptation of local culinary treasures comes the need to break up long drives with roadside attractions—from the historic to the bizarre.

Every state has “roadside attraction pride,” from the world’s largest this and that to art installations to historic monuments to seductive entertainment conglomerates.

A roadside sign with a burger and apple pie, encouraging the art of travel. (Image © DMT.)

Living the heartland of America: hot dogs and apple pie
© DMT

We can travel to Montgomery, Alabama, for the world’s largest brick; to North Pole, Alaska, for the world’s largest Santa Claus; to Cawker City, Kansas, for the world’s largest ball of twine; to Scarborough, Maine, for the world’s largest chocolate moose; and to Cottonwood, Idaho, for the world’s largest beagle, which also happens to be the Dog Bark Park Inn, a dog-friendly hotel.

The Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, Idaho, a roadside sign and roadside attraction, encouraging the art of travel. (Image courtesy of Dog Bark Park Inn.)

The Dog Bark Park Inn in Idaho
Photo courtesy of Dog Bark Park Inn

In addition to the plethora of “world’s largest” things, we can also find the artistic and bizarre.

Don’t miss Salvation Mountain in Niland, California; Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas; the Ventriloquist Museum in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky; the Jello-O Museum in Le Roy, New York; an alien-themed brothel in Amargosa Valley, Nevada; Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obisbo, California; or the world’s largest collection of the world’s smallest versions of the world’s largest things in Lucas, Kansas.

Salvation Mountain, California, one of the roadside signs and roadside attractions that encourage the art of travel. (Image © iStock/Steven Kriemadis.)

Salvation Mountain . . . Stay on Path
© iStock/Steven Kriemadis

We might be surprised with the number of Stonehenge replicas across our great nation, including Foamhenge in Natural Bridge, Virginia; Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska; and Bamahenge in, you guessed it, Alabama (Elberta).

The Enchanted Highway in North Dakota, one of the road signs and roadside attractions that encourages the art of travel. (Image © DMT.)

The Enchanted Highway in North Dakota
© DMT

Some of America’s roadside attraction legends are still going strong.

The Enchanted Highway in North Dakota features a series of innovative scrap metal sculptures at intervals along a 32-mile stretch of highway.

The Mitchell Corn Palace in South Dakota takes pride in its more than 127-year history as the only corn palace in the U.S.—replacing the corn-mural walls every year with 13 different colors of corn.

And the single spot in the U.S. where four states meet still attracts thousands of visitors each year, all trying to strike a precarious balance between Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado (can you really be in more than one place at the same time?).

At Four Corners, a roadside sign and roadside attraction in four western states, encouraging the art of travel. (Image © Frank Mullins.)

Straddling four states at Four Corners
© Frank Mullins

Aside from the legends and the bizarre, there are subtle things we drive past that make us smile or give us a ping of nostalgia, as if we are perhaps seeing the last vestige of a particular America.

Lemonade stand, one of the roadside signs and roadside attractions, encouraging the art of travel. (Image © DMT.)

The roadside signs and attractions will no doubt be different the next time we travel that road. Some other country may soon boast the world’s largest ball of twine or the largest chocolate moose.

Acme Feed and skyscraper, a roadside sign of change, seen with the art of travel. (Image © Lauren Gezurian-Amlani.)

Change is a constant.
© Lauren Gezurian-Amlani

As with any good journey, change is a constant. The art of travel is to enjoy the journey.

Welcome to California road sign, encouraging the art of travel. (Image © iStock/Mirolslav1.)

Enjoy the journey.
© iStock/Miroslav1

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Author’s Note: I dedicate this post to my parents (and all parents who venture on family road trips with kids). My parents’ patience and bravery in orchestrating numerous road trips resulted in my having seen many of the things that I mention in this article. The Corn Palace and Four Corners are still vivid memories years and years later, and the world’s biggest ball of twine still makes cameo appearances in my dreams.

Meredith Mullins 4 Comments

Art of Travel/USA

Mar

A Monumental Race: The Eiffel Tower Vertical

by Meredith Mullins on March 18, 2019

Night shot of the Eiffel Tower, one of the amazing places on earth, for the Eiffel Tower Vertical race. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

A hint of the moon on the night of the Eiffel Tower Vertical race
© Meredith Mullins

One of the Most Amazing Places in the World Rises to the Challenge

Remember those days as a child when you couldn’t help but run up stairs, two or three at a time.

You often didn’t know (or care) what you would find at the top. You were just excited to get there in a burst of energy, wrapped in the sheer joy of running.

That same exhilaration still exists. In Paris last week, running up stairs (two or three at a time) took center stage—during the 5^thannual Eiffel Tower Vertical race.

La Verticale de la Tour Eiffel—one of the most challenging tower races in the world—made one of the most amazing places in the world even more thrilling.

Two runners at the 2019 Eiffel Tower Vertical race at one of the most amazing places on earth. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Moments of joy at La Verticale de la Tour Eiffel 2019
© Meredith Mullins

The Vertical Challenge

The race is legendary. Tower runners from all continents vie to participate.

Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, one of the most amazing places on earth, hosts the Eiffel Tower Vertical run 2019. (Image © Meredith Mulllins.)

The 1,665 steps of the Eiffel Tower become even more challenging on the night of the race.
© Meredith Mullins

The 1,665 steps, which gain 276 meters (three football fields) in altitude, make this one of the most difficult races in tower running—a vertical tour that includes such skyscrapers as One World Trade Center in New York (2,226 steps), the Lotte World Tower in Seoul (2,917 steps), the International Commerce Center in Hong Kong (2,120 steps), and the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai (1,334 steps).

International Commerce Center in Hong Kong , one of the tallest buildings and most amazing places in the world for tower runners who have participated in the Eiffel Tower Vertical. (Image © bpperry/iStock.)

Tower running reaches new heights, including the International Commerce Center in Hong Kong.
© bpperry/iStock

Only 130 runners were accepted into the Paris race this year—one runner for each year of the Eiffel Tower’s existence. (The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 for the Universal Exposition. With just a bit of math calculation: In 2018, the race hosted 129 runners, and for 2020 . . . 131 runners.)

Of the 90 men and 40 women selected, 40 are elite runners, 80 are amateurs, and 10 are wild-card recipients.

Janet Goodwin, an entry in the Eiffel Tower Vertical race came to one of the amazing places in the world for this tower race. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Australian Janet Goodwin, a wild-card recipient and stair-climbing trainer,
flew 22 hours just for the race.
© Meredith Mullins

Jean-Charles Perrin—founder of La Verticale de la Tour Eiffel and EcoTrail International CEO—is rightfully proud. “There are tower races in many countries, but creating a race at such an iconic monument makes it special.”

The Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris and one of the most visited monuments on the planet. It took years of negotiations to bring the race to this historic tower.

Jean-Charles Perrin, founder of the Eiffel Tower Vertical race, at the Eiffel Tower, one of the most amazing places on earth. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Jean-Charles Perrin, the founder of La Verticale de la Tour Eiffel, cheers on the runners.
© Meredith Mullins

What also makes the Eiffel Tower so special are the unique challenges for the competitors. It’s the only tower race that is outside—open to the elements.

Add to that the complexity of spiral stairs (some so narrow that no runner can pass another), steps of varying sizes, and a combination of stairs and flat stretches—from one staircase to the next, from one floor to the next, or as runners move from the south pillar to the west pillar for the climb.

ECOTRAILORGA_CHRISTOPHEGUIARD_Laurent Vincente runs in the Eiffel Tower Vertical race at one of the most amazing places on earth. (Photo © EcoTrail Organization.)

French runner Laurent Vincente surrounded by the structure of “The Iron Lady”
Photo courtesy of the EcoTrail Organization

The stairs from the second to the third étage are not open to the public, so the runners have the unique privilege of climbing these stairs in the last leg of the race.

Oh, I see. This is one tough race. But the expansive view of Paris at the top is well worth the climb.

ECOTRAILORGA_CHRISTOPHEGUIARD, a woman running up stairs at the Eiffel Tower Vertical race at one of the amazing places on earth. (Image © EcoTrail Organization.)

Fighting for the reward at the top: a finish line with a view.
Photo courtesy of the EcoTrail Organization

A Dramatic History

The Eiffel Tower has the distinction of hosting the first-ever stair climbing race more than 100 years ago.

In 1905, a daily sports newspaper organized the “Stair Championship,” which attracted more than 300 participants to climb two levels of the Eiffel Tower (only 729 steps rather than the three levels and 1,665 steps of today).

Stairs of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, one of the most amazing places on earth and host to the Eiffel Tower Vertical race. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

The Eiffel Tower stairs have always called to adventurers.
© Meredith Mullins

A magnet for daredevil activities, the Eiffel Tower also lays claim to the world’s oldest elephant trying to climb the stairs, athletes racing up the stairs on mountain bikes, people descending the stairs via wheelchair, and the inevitable illegal parachuting or bungie jumping from the tower.

The famous French high-wire artist, Philippe Petit, walked from the Palais de Chaillot to the second floor of the tower via tightrope in 1989 (to celebrate the 200^thanniversary of the French Revolution).

Group of runners at the 2019 Eiffel Tower Vertical race at one of the most amazing places on earth. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Let the race begin!
© Meredith Mullins

2019: Under Eight Minutes!

This year’s story was no less dramatic. The good news was . . . it wasn’t raining. The bad news was . . . it was cold and the wind was fierce. The top of the Eiffel Tower was swaying.

The race was delayed by 30 minutes as the organizers waited for the wind to subside and debated whether to make this a “race to the middle” rather than a “race to the top.”

Not a chance. La Verticale de la Tour Eiffel is a race about summiting.

Runner #2 climbs the stairs of the Eiffel Tower Vertical at one of the most amazing places on earth. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

It’s all about reaching the top.
© Meredith Mullins

Let the challenge begin.

The race is in time trial format, with a runner in the starting block every 30 or 60 seconds.

Runner checking watch at the 2019 Eiffel Tower Vertical race at one of the most amazing places on earth. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Keeping track of time in the race agains the clock
© Meredith Mullins

Support shouts of “Allez! Allez! Courage!”could be heard at every turn as, one by one, each of the 130 racers did their best to manage their breathing and overcome muscle pain, dizziness, and burning lungs to reach the top—a finish line with a view.

Piotr Lobodzinski, winner of the 2019 Eiffel Tower Vertical, rounds the corner at one of the most amazing places on earth—the Eiffel Tower. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Men’s winner Piotr Lobodzinski stays strong throughout the race, finishing in under eight minutes.
© Meredith Mullins

The 1^stplace winners of the 2019 Eiffel Tower Vertical were Piotr Lobodzinski from Poland (7:53:97) and Suzy Walsham from Australia (10:16:57). Not surprisingly, both are the reigning world champions in tower running. More results can be found here.

ECOTRAILORGA_ANTHONYCHAUMONTEL_VTE2019_Suzy Walsham running in the Eiffel Tower Vertical race at one of the most amazing places on earth. (Image courtesy of the EcoTrail Organization.)

Suzy Walsham’s focused race brought her another victory.
Photo courtesy of the EcoTrail Organization

They were pleased with their race, given the challenging conditions. And, as Piotr said when he received his award, he hopes, like fine wine, he will just get better with age.

It is certain that more amazing places in the world—the tall ones, especially—will continue to attract these super athletes. Congratulations to all.

The runners of the 2019 Eiffel Tower Vertical race at one of the most amazing places on earth. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

For more information about the Eiffel Tower Vertical, visit La Verticale de la Tour Eiffel website, the EcoTrail website, and the Towerrunning World Association website.

Health Note: Research shows that climbing stairs has significant health benefits. You don’t have to enter The Eiffel Tower Vertical race, but if you take the stairs every now and then, you’ll be the beneficiary.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins 2 Comments

Adventure Travel/France/On Foot

Mar

The Daring of the Green

by Joyce McGreevy on March 11, 2019

A man adjusting a dining room chandelier in Glendalough suggests that Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

From Glendalough (above) to Galway, cooks have cast Irish cuisine in a whole new light.

Irish Cuisine Turns the Tables on Culinary Stereotypes

St. Patrick’s Day is coming and you know what that means. It’s time for the Annual Feast of Culinary Stereotypes!

Once a year, sales of green food-dye soar in the U.S., evidenced by neon green bagels, chartreuse cupcakes, and acid-lime donuts. Meanwhile, Corned Beef and Cabbage (which originated in the U.S., not Ireland) will be dutifully served at Irish-themed parties.

Don’t get me started about green beer and “shamrock” milkshakes. No wonder many people believe “Irish cuisine” is a contradiction in terms.

Forty Shades of Cuisine

But feast on this: To dine at one Michelin-starred or Bib Gourmand restaurant per day in Ireland, you’d need a 40-day vacation. You’d travel from County Down in the North, along the Irish coast from Dublin to Cork to Galway, and across Ireland’s well-fed middle from Limerick to Kilkenny.

A woman gesturing toward a seafood platter in Howth shows that Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

That’s just for starters. Because you needn’t carry loads of “green” to feast on great Irish cooking.

Oh, I see: Today’s Ireland is studded with culinary gems. From storied estates and castles to gastro-pubs, food trucks, and farmer’s markets, Ireland’s culinary renaissance offers something for every palate and budget.

A vegetable garden in Inish Beg Estate, Cork, Ireland evokes the way Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Recipe for a Culinary Renaissance

Only a few decades ago, critics had their knives out, suggesting there was nothing so bad on Irish menus that Irish cookery couldn’t make it worse. The Ireland of today is a trend-setter, thanks to a whole new recipe:

Start with an island smaller than Indiana but bountiful in seafood, freshwater fish, and forage-able plants.
Add economic prosperity and strong support for organic farming.
Fire up keen interest in new ways of using traditional Irish ingredients.
Stir in meticulous technique and bold experimentation.
Season with cross-cultural inspiration.
Serve in as many creative ways and settings as possible.

Poached eggs from Glebe Gardens, Co. Cork, suggest how Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

What’s on the Menu?

This year, ditch the green food-dye and treat yourself to a feast of today’s Irish flavors. Here’s a Travel Menu with options for home cooks:

A man cooking at home in Galway, Ireland evokes the way Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Starters: In Ireland, where appetizers are called “starters,” the best starter is a food tour. No matter which part of Ireland you visit, there’s a food trail worth following.

Or go straight to Chapter One (18-19 Parnell Square, Dublin). Michelin’s review says: “Good old-fashioned Irish hospitality meets with modern Irish cooking in this stylish restaurant beneath the Writers Museum…Boldly flavored dishes showcase produce from local artisan producers.”

Home cook’s starter: Vodka-Cured Salmon with Avocado Cream, Pickled Vegetables, and Horseradish Mayonnaise (The New Irish Table: Recipes from Ireland’s Top Chefs, edited by Leslie Conron Carola; Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc., 2017)

Gourmet Grocery: Fallon & Byrne, Dublin, “offering the season’s good stuff from land and sea.”

A plate of smoked salmon and brown bread in Galway, Ireland evokes the way Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

Main course: Want the whole Irish enchildada? (Yes, Ireland’s reinvented enchiladas, too!) Take classes at Ballymaloe Cookery School, set on 300 acres of organic farmland in County Cork. Or head to Michelin-starred Loam in Galway for dishes like Lamb Shoulder, Turnip, and Damson fruit.

Home cook’s main course: Discover Allen’s marvelous take on traditional Shepherd’s Pie, made with roast duck and parsnips. Or savor Allen’s Wild Garlic & Potato Soup.

Gourmet Grocery: English Market, Cork City’s outstanding 18th century covered market.

Supper at The Piemaker, Galway, showcases Ireland's culinary renaissance. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

Dessert: Feast your eyes on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, then thrill your taste buds with Murphy’s Ice Cream. Founded in Dingle, Murphy’s also chills in Galway and Dublin. Flavors range from Rainwater Sorbets and Caramelized Brown Bread to Honey Lavender and Candied Chili Pepper.

A dessert at Kai Cafe in Galway, Ireland evokes the way Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Home cook’s dessert: Bake a “dark and majestic” Guinness cake (from Clodagh’s Irish Kitchen: A Fresh Take on Traditional Flavors, by Clodagh McKenna, Kyle Books, 2015).

Gourmet Grocery: McCambridge‘s, Galway, pleasing palates since 1934.

A baker and cake at Burren Cafe, Co. Clare show how Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Irish Cuisine Made Easy

Most U.S. grocers stock Irish soda bread, Kerrygold butter, Dublin cheddar, Irish tea, and other Celtic fare. Add easy-peasy Roast Root Vegetables, with or without chicken or Limerick ham. Then settle in to watch Dare to Be Wild (Netflix), easily the most gorgeous Irish movie you’ll ever see.

A display of plates at a restaurant in Dublin, Ireland evokes the way Ireland’s culinary renaissance has dispelled stereotypes about Irish cuisine. (Image © Carolyn McGreevy)

You’ll be glad you skipped the culinary stereotypes and sampled today’s Irish cuisine.

Comment on the post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Joyce McGreevy 1 Comment

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