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Joined Atlas Obscura in 2023

Retired truck driver seeing the USA again

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Follow travelers to discover remarkable places through their journeys.

My Travel Badges

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West Virginia Visitor

As part of the West Virginia Destination Challenge, this badge celebrates the beginning of your journey through West Virginia's remarkable places. Every place you mark brings you closer to discovering more of what makes the Mountain State unique.

Next Badge: West Virginia Adventurer You're just getting started. Mark 10 West Virginia places as Been There or Want to Go to unlock the Adventurer badge.
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Ford's Route 66 Exploration Challenge

You explored one of America's most iconic highways by marking at least three remarkable places along historic Route 66.
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Ford's Mark Your Map State Exploration Challenge

You expanded your map during the Ford Mark Your Map State Exploration Challenge and reached the milestone required to unlock this limited edition badge.
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25 States Visited

You've visited 25 U.S. states and are halfway to exploring all 50. Every state has its own hidden wonders, and you're well on your way to discovering them.

Next Badge: 50 States Visited Visit all 50 states to earn the highest state exploration badge.
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50 States Visited

You've visited every U.S. state. Few travelers reach all 50, making this one of Atlas Obscura's highest travel achievements.
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First Contribution

This badge celebrates your first contribution to the Atlas Obscura community and the role you play in helping others discover wonder.

Next Badge: 25 Contributions Make 25 total contributions to earn your next badge.

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Places I've been

Places this traveler has marked as been there.

Plaque, date, and wheel mark this iconic moment in thievery

Adair, Iowa

Site of the First Train Robbery in the West

Lured here by the promise of tens of thousands in gold, Jesse James started a quintessentially American trend of robbing trains in-motion.

The lights' reflection in the Des Moines River below.

Madrid, Iowa

High Trestle Trail Bridge

A half-mile long and three stories high, this bridge over the Des Moines River Valley mimics a descent into a mine shaft.

The Roseman Bridge, featured prominently in the film.

Winterset, Iowa

The Bridges of Madison County

Romance fans worldwide make the pilgrimage to this group of historic covered bridges in rural Iowa.

Winterset, Iowa

John Wayne's Birthplace

This simple home was the beginning of a long journey for the iconic Western film star.

Elk Horn is home to an authentic 19th-century windmill that was shipped in pieces from Norre Snede, Denmark, in 1976.

Elk Horn, Iowa

The Danish Windmill

In rural Iowa, an imported 19th-century windmill overlooks an unlikely enclave of Danish culture.

Audubon, Iowa

Albert The Bull

The World's Largest Bull.

Kimballton, Iowa

Little Mermaid Sculpture Garden

A delightful Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale experience, not far off the interstate.

Solvang, California

OstrichLand USA

Get up close to emus and ostriches, or buy their tasty meat.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Twin Arrows Trading Post Ruins

A pair of giant roadside arrows are all that remains of a former Route 66 trading post.

Winslow, Arizona

HGTV Art Cars

A unique collection of artistic rides

Shamrock, Texas

U-Drop Inn

Once in disrepair, this popular Texas stop along iconic Route 66 has been restored to its past glory.

The park officially opened with a lighting ceremony on May 9, 2025.

St. Robert, Missouri

Route 66 Neon Park

Vintage neon signs illuminate highway history.

Tucson, Arizona

Pima Air & Space Museum

Browse an impressive collection of passenger and military aircraft dating back to World War II.

Permanently Closed

Wilmington, Illinois

Gemini Giant

This historic Illinois "Muffler Man" has been converted from axe-touting lumberjack to rocket-wielding space ace.

Gardner, Illinois

2 Celled Jail

This tiny historic jail along Route 66 is the perfect fit for exactly one criminal and their partner-in-crime.

Lincoln, Illinois

Lincoln Watermelon Monument

This colorful monument commemorates a little-known story from the life of Abraham Lincoln.

Sign for location. Can be seen from Interstate 55.

Livingston, Illinois

Pink Elephant Antique Mall

Oversized statues are just the tip of this nostalgic Americana roadside attraction.

Staunton, Illinois

Henry's Rabbit Ranch

This lagomorph-obsessed Route 66 emporium is home to a giant jackrabbit that sits in a bunny graveyard.

The sign before it was covered in stickers.

Chicago, Illinois

Beginning (and End) of Historic Route 66

A journey begins with a single step, and for many, the road-trip of a lifetime started at this Chicago intersection.

Rockford, Illinois

Rockmen Guardians

The city of Rockford, Illinois is symbolically protected by a quartet of fittingly stony sentinels.

The 1920s Böhmerland is one of the longest motorcycles ever made, intended to seat three.

St. Louis, Missouri

Moto Museum

Explore the history and craftsmanship of a century of motorcycles at this St. Louis showroom.

St. Louis' Old Courthouse was the scene of the Dred Scott Decision, which served as a catalyst in the eradication of slavery in the United States.

St. Louis, Missouri

Old St. Louis County Courthouse

The Old Courthouse takes visitors on a captivating trip through St. Louis' timeline.

Cuba, Missouri

Former World's Largest Rocking Chair

The world's second largest rocking chair is found on Route 66 in Cuba... Missouri.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Meadow Gold Sign

This 1930s-era Route 66 Tulsa landmark was moved, restored, and filled with neon.

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