A place called Wall Drug is a common theme in these books. Situated pretty much in the middle of no where, opened in 1931 (think Depression), just how to you attract customers and/or tourists? It was the owner's wife who came up with the idea of offering free ice water! It worked! Read more about this quirky place in the following books.

Amazing and Unusual USA: Hundreds of Extraordinary Sights, by Jeff Bahr is organized by region and is full of photographs and short descriptions. Check out the world's longest front porch, and the hippie museum. There are aliens at Roswell, naturally. The field, from the movie "Field of Dreams" really exists and fans show up to play ball. I was disappointed that the Wild Horses above Vantage WA were not included, and that Alaska and Hawaii were each given just one entry. Really? Otherwise, this was a nice book to read with the others in this post.

Roadside Attractions: Cool Cafes, Souvenir Stands, Route 66 Relics & Other Road Trip Fun, by Brian & Sarah Butko might have fewer entries, but there is more history and some nice nostalgia stories from folks who have visited some of these attractions. Many are gone, of course, but amazingly a few were still around (as of 2007).

One summer local author Richard Little and his wife took off on a cross country drive ... a leisurely drive this time, shunning the wide interstates and wandering down more local roads. Postcards From the Road: Stories is the result of that trip. The interactions with 'locals' and descriptions of 'good' food were my favorite bits! :-) That, and how it felt to return home again.

Reading Hermit With Dog