So, what’s in a name? Think about it, most sane individuals would say names typically denote individuality, ownership, personality, background, and respect. However, those qualities don’t always come to mind when traveling. My point being, and everybody’s seen them on maps and while traveling throughout the United States, those towns, communities, roads, and landmark names that catch your eye, make one gasp, initiate blushing giggles, or intensely tickle the funny bone. Regardless of traveling past, through, on, or selected as a unique destination, the first question that arises after the tears of laughter, the “Oh, my Goodness,” and “How stupid,” responses, are why the name was selected in the first place, and for whatever reason why the heck was it never changed?

I’m sure there are wonderfully historic stories behind each of these town’s name: Frostproof, FL; Dead Horse, AK; Intercourse, PA; Truth Or Consequences, NM; and Slaughter, LA. However, I truly believe some may be just a cruel joke that the town founder thought would be humorous to put up at one time and then left town or died, so the name stuck: Monkey's Eyebrow,AZ; Hygiene, CO; Mud Lick, KY; Crappo, MD. Keep in mind, there ARE the unique marketing aspects that put some small town’s on the map for no other reason than the town’s name, like: Odd, WV; Climax, MI; Hot Coffee, MS; Busti, NY; Beach, ND; and Boring, OR. The one thing that’s for certain, it’s fun to travel, visit, and say you experienced the local hospitality of these uniquely named destinations. I’d even go as far to say it’s a sure bet that each of these towns have warehouses full of bumper stickers to sell.

Most reasonably sized towns have a Main Street, Lincoln Ave., Washington Blvd, an alphabet, and/or numeric road system. On the other hand, there are road names that seem to reflect the character of the road creator, a historical circumstance that happened, or a tribute/recognition to or of something or someone: Sorefinger Road; Needmore Road; Dam Road; Pesky Deer Way; You Bet Road; and No Way. Not unlike the town’s founders, the original landowners couldn’t resist the temptation to name a few roads that were undoubtedly just mean gags played on future homeowners: Hooker Road; Dingleberry Lane; Old Potato Road that's just past New Potato Road; Spread Eagle; and my favorite that I won’t attempt to pronounce, Zzyzx Road. Its easy to understand why an occasional mail carrier goes “postal”; hmmmm…now that I think about it, I wonder how the talking GPS systems would pronounce Zzyzx Road?

Regardless of where you travel, or on what street, the most enjoyable reading material while on the road has to be business advertisements and roadway caution signs. Comedians must have years worth of comedy material. Do counties actually spend our hard earned tax dollars creating these: "Caution Water On Road During Rain" ; "14 ½ MPH" ; "Hitchhikers May Be Escaping Inmates" ; and "Caution Tree in Center of Road." I can only assume that the State and/or County’s who issue licenses know how stupid some people are, or maybe it’s just a cheap way our locally elected officials Band-Aid community issues by saying they did something. Which brings me to local business advertisements like the shared sign a restaurant and fueling station created, "Eat Here And Get Gas"…need I say more.

Travel can be boring at times, but local communities, towns, and businesses in their wisdom, humorous moments, and stupidity, create wonderful travel entertainment. Keep your eyes open and a camera at the ready to record these precious traveling mementos; then include them in your “What I Did On My Summer Vacation” slide show, it’ll help keep your audience awake and humored after the first few hundred slides.

Please visit http://www.goldcountryfamilies.com for more free enjoyable reading regarding family friendly travel, lodging, dining, annual events, and entertainment in the California Gold Country and around the US West Coast. Introducing "Kids Travel" a new section written by children regarding their travel experiences, and check out the humorous and memory provoking "Reader’s Stories" section posting stories shared by readers not unlike yourself.

See ya on the road,

Patrick Witz

Writer/Editor/Publisher/Photographer

Gold Country Families E-Magazine

A FREE Internet Travel, Entertainment, & Leisure Magazine

editor@goldcountryfamilies.com

http://www.goldcountryfamilies.com