{"id":16129,"date":"2017-09-11T18:21:12","date_gmt":"2017-09-11T22:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/?p=16129"},"modified":"2017-09-11T20:49:32","modified_gmt":"2017-09-12T00:49:32","slug":"on-the-roads-of-america-and-roadside-america-americana-the-center-of-the-nation-and-bowman-nd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/?p=16129","title":{"rendered":"On the Roads of America and Roadside America Americana \u2013 The Center of the Nation and Bowman, ND"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When I picked up my rental car, My Thrifty Blue Chip membership meant I just picked a car from the Mid-Size row.\u00a0 I don\u2019t generally rent anything bigger than an economy or compact because I like small cars that get decent gas mileage.\u00a0 But the mid-size was the cheapest option in an inexplicably overpriced rental market (actually, a 17 passenger van was the cheapest but THAT would\u2019ve been a disaster).\u00a0 I picked the one that had a Florida license plate as it seemed like kismet.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3196.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16058\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3196-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3196-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3196-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3196-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3196-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3196-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3196-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3196.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It was a KIA Soul, ya know the car the hampsters drove in that commercial that one time?<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cYOX5eYcViw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>That party rockin\u2019 car should get decent gas mileage, right?\u00a0 I mean, at least through the courtesy of the hamsters\u2019 tootsies and in my case my own Fred Flintstone-ian feet.<\/p>\n<p>Turns out however that this rental car gets TERRIBLE mileage.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3195.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16057\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3195-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3195-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3195-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3195-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3195-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3195-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3195-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3195.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In hamster speak, it gets GERBIL mileage!\u00a0 It\u2019s 2017 for crying out loud.\u00a0 NO car should get less than 35 miles to the gallon on the highway.\u00a0 And frankly no car should get less than 40-something.\u00a0 A car that gets LESS THAN 24 miles to the gallon?\u00a0 In 2017?\u00a0 And me on a massive road trip crisscrossing the center of the nation.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s gonna be well over 1500 miles over the course of 6 day series.\u00a0 That\u2019s a lot of gas.\u00a0 I\u2019m keeping a spreadsheet as I\u2019m astonished at what this stupid impulse decision to back a Florida plate is going to cost me.<\/p>\n<p>***<\/p>\n<p>Having showered back at Bowman, I ventured out to the one listing for this town on Roadside America.\u00a0 What is it?\u00a0 Even after having seen it, I\u2019m not entirely sure.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s listed as \u201cCowboy Riding a Missile.\u201d\u00a0 That\u2019s there for sure, a flash of Dr. Strangelove coming to me as I gazed upon the cowpoke straddling a missile being shot from a Bowman fire truck (?):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8763.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16145\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8763-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8763-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8763-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8763-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8763-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8763-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8763-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8763.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s so much more.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8783.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16154\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8783-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8783-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8783-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8783-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8783-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8783-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8783-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8783.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3421.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-16133 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3421-1024x306.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"306\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3421-1024x306.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3421-300x90.jpg 300w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3421-768x230.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3421-830x248.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3421-230x69.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3421-350x105.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s this rickety bridge that an RA reviewer said they drove over to get to the missile riding cowboy.\u00a0 I was leery of doing so.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3418.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16131\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3418-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3418-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3418-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3418-830x1107.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3418-230x307.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3418-350x467.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3418.jpg 1512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3427.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16136\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3427-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3427-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3427-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3427-830x1107.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3427-230x307.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3427-350x467.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3427.jpg 1512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3429.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16137\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3429-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3429-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3429-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3429-830x1107.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3429-230x307.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3429-350x467.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3429.jpg 1512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It looked like that old Universal Studios Tour fake bridge that the tram guide would say was the \u201coldest set at the studio.\u201d\u00a0 As you went over it, it would systematically collapse and you\u2019d think you were going to fall.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure if it even exists anymore.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a youtube video that preserves this \u201ctour attraction\u201d for posterity.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RGlfHdQBqrE\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Note: in truth, it was built in the 1970s for a Bionic Woman episode\u2026 or maybe Six Million Dollar Man?\u00a0 One of those.\u00a0 A LOT of the Universal backlot tour in the 1980s was devoted to leftover props and gags from those shows.\u00a0 That and Knight Rider and The A-Team and Airwolf.\u00a0 Sigh.\u00a0 I miss the 1980s.<\/p>\n<p>In any case, there\u2019s a plane that\u2019s mounted with a perpetual motion spinning propeller that I think is partially a weathervane as the plane itself seems to rotate on its armature.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3422.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16134\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3422-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3422-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3422-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3422-830x1107.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3422-230x307.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3422-350x467.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3422.jpg 1512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3426.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16135\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3426-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3426-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3426-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3426-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3426-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3426-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3426-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3426.jpg 2016w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8751.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16139\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8751-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8751-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8751-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8751-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8751-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8751-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8751-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8751.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8753.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16140\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8753-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8753-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8753-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8753-830x1107.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8753-230x307.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8753-350x467.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_8753.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>All told there\u2019s a general \u201cartistic\u201d vibe\u2026 and by that I mean some gonzo nutbar at play in the fields.\u00a0 But ya know what?\u00a0 It\u2019s more artistry than I\u2019ve got so who am I to judge.\u00a0 And while I may not know art, I know what I like\u2026 and I kinda liked the craziness of this, um, installation?\u00a0 Welcoming sign?\u00a0 Tourist trap installation that doubles as a welcoming sign?\u00a0 Whatever puts you on the map, right?\u00a0 Or at least gets you listed on RoadsideAmerica.com.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3420.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16132\" src=\"http:\/\/www.runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3420-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3420-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3420-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3420-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3420-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3420-230x173.jpg 230w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3420-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_3420.jpg 2016w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When I picked up my rental car, My Thrifty Blue Chip membership meant I just picked a car from the Mid-Size row.\u00a0 I don\u2019t generally rent anything bigger than an economy or compact because I like small cars that get decent gas mileage.\u00a0 But the mid-size was the cheapest option in an inexplicably overpriced rental [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16129","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16129"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16129\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runkevinrun.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}