During the past month, we have traveled over 5,000 miles across 14 states. Our road trip has been a mix of highways and back roads, some more interesting than others. Vowing to take our time driving, we scheduled in extra time between each major city or attraction. This has allowed us to stop when we want, not only for bathroom breaks, to put gas in the car, or have a meal, but to sightsee along the way. The USA is filled with roadside attractions that aren’t worth planning a vacation around, but make a fun diversion and way to break up long drives. Here are a few of the places that we found along the way:

Hollenberg Pony Express Station, northeastern Kansas: Nestled among the rolling hills of Kansas, away from any city or highway, we found an original Pony Express station. Built in 1858, this is the only original station still in its original location; many others have been moved to make it more convenient for tourists. We were the only people at the site, so we took our time in the small rooms of the shop/house. We dressed up in some old-time outfits so we could play the part of shopkeeper and housewife, although we were both thankful to shed the long heavy clothes in the 90-degree heat!

The oldest Pony Express station in its original location.

Prospector Jon, ready to ride out on the range!

Mac’s Winery in Lexington, Nebraska: Nebraska is a long state filled with fields and fields of corn. In the midst of all the farming is a small vineyard and winery. It was set back away from the highway on the edge of a small town. We arrived at lunchtime and were seated at a small iron table on the patio overlooking the vines. We spent an enjoyable two hours tasting our way through their 10 different wines on offer. Accompanying our wine tasting were a couple of salads for lunch, full of fruit, a bit of cheese, and grilled chicken. It was a perfect lunch – very peaceful, scenic, and relaxing.

My salad for lunch at the winery – so delicious and refreshing!

Carhenge, northwestern Nebraska: In the middle of corn fields and sunflower fields is a grassy area with a path leading around in a large circle. Along the path are old cars and trucks which have been stood up on end and painted, creating a variety of different structures and shapes. In the middle of the path is the pinnacle of Carhenge; a replica of Stonehenge made entirely with cars and trucks! Aside from the kitsch that we saw on Route 66, this was one of the more odd roadside attractions that we saw.

Carhenge, one of the more unique roadside stops we made!

Courthouse Rock in central Nebraska: A brown Historical Marker sign provided a quick pit stop for us driving through Nebraska. It was a small gravel lot off the side of the road with a single sign describing Courthouse Rock, seen off in the distance. Travelers along the Oregon Trail named these features Courthouse Rock and Jail Rock, resembling buildings from back east. While we didn’t exactly see a courthouse and jail in the rock formations, it was an identifiable landmark along the trail west for pioneers and explorers.

I’m not sure if I see a courthouse in the rock, but apparently it helped the pioneers find their way!

We saw many signs on our travels describing the region, history, geography, and landmarks.

Old Town Cody, Wyoming: After our evening at the rodeo in Cody, we started our drive to Yellowstone. Just west of town was another Historical Marker, so we stopped to finish our breakfast and read about the old town. The city has grown up just east of where it was founded in 1895. Buffalo Bill Cody settled there and helped to build streets, parks, and a hotel. He encouraged development of the railroad carrying passengers to Yellowstone which brought more people to Cody. Hoping to develop Cody as a resort town for tourists to the national park, the mineral springs were advertised to have healing and restorative powers.

Old town Cody in the distance, named after Buffalo Bill Cody.

Navajo buildings in Kayenta, Arizona: An unexpected stop for the night (due to car repairs), we stayed in a Navajo reservation in Kayenta. We were at a Hampton Inn hotel next door to a Burger King. In between the two buildings was an unexpected treat: replicas of Navajo buildings that were used over the past few hundred years. There was a ‘male’ building and a ‘female’ building, each one used in different time periods for sleeping, cooking, and living. There was a small sweat lodge used for spiritual rituals as well as an old wagon that they used when traveling. They were all made of smooth logs that had been sanded down in order to keep bugs and varmints out of the buildings.

Replicas of Navajo buildings, in between a Hampton Inn and a Burger King.

We enjoyed stopping along the way on our lengthy road trip to visit these previously unknown attractions. Each provided a chance to stretch and walk around, along with some history and fun information about the region we were driving through. I’m happy that we built in enough time during our trip for these stops so that we could get to know our country better, on a smaller and more intimate level.