Quirky Named Places and What to Do There
Small towns around the world come up with clever names. Some for gaining notoriety, some named after a leading citizen. And some, it’s a head scratcher. Years ago, I read a travel memoir. The author packed up his camper truck and motored zig zag around the United States. One of his objectives, find quirky named places. He was successful, in more ways than one, his book, Blue Highways inspired adventures on America’s highways, small towns and peculiar named locations. In the first installment, we will stay domestic. The twist on this series, many of these towns or points of interest are more than an origin story of a name-place. Many have truly interesting sights and experiences.
All of these places offer more than a funny road sign. It could be, a can’t miss restaurant, an historic event, a natural setting or a community event open to all. There’s a there, there. Strap on your seatbelt, put on your shades and turn up your music. Starting in the Sunshine state, it’s a two for one.
A native American name in origin, the town is just west of the big bend country inFlorida. Where the panhandle meets the peninsula. The native American translation is “long and twisted river”.
What to do in town? In April come be part of the worm gruntin’ festival. Watch the pros or be part of the action. There’s a run, a dance and live music too. Once a month on the last Saturday of each month, come on down to the Sopchoppy Opry. That rhymes! You can’t say that about the grand one in Tennessee. Traditional folk music, bluegrass and gospel entertain the locals and their guests.
Along a river owning the same name, the small town is near scenic route U.S. 98. An alternate way to traverse the Florida panhandle instead of the trans-continental interstate, time permitting, the coastal highway offers a bounty of sights, the gulf waters on one side of the road and the natural wonders of (our second quirky named place), Tate’s Hell state forest. The legend of the forest’s name is an interesting one. A local landowner, his dogs and a shotgun ventured into the swamp to find his cow. His dogs chased after a panther., leaving him on his own. He got lost, bit by a snake, eventually he found his way home, he said he’d “been through hell”, his name Cebe Tate.
Protected and managed by the Florida parks system, a river meanders through the landscape, ripe for fishing, boating, hiking and camping. The park is about the size of New York City, big. The park is due west of Sopchoppy about 25 minutes from the center of town. There are two park areas, the state forest and the wildlife management area. Both are about the same distance from Sopchoppy.
Scandalous. How could a town choose such a name? The English language is abound with words having more than one meaning. Often, the lesser-known application is decades or probably hundreds of years in origin. This occasion, a long ago resident, a blacksmith often coated in “smut”, the soot from the smithing process in his foundry. He as the story goes, was often covered in smut, all you could see was his eyes. The name Smut Eye stuck.
The community is a rural crossroads in southeastern Alabama, near the Georgia state line. Although the junction with the quirky name isn’t a formal town, the county seat, Union Springs is 15 minutes along highway 29. Sure there’s a small roadside café near Smut Eye, for a bit more excitement, head on over to Union Springs.
The county seat is a quaint town. A local plantation converted into a stylish, down-home lodge offers guided hunts, fishing expeditions and leisure activities. In town, there’s an historic theatre hosting recitals, live music and community events year-round. And an art walk too. The small town may not be world renowned, however the locals pride themselves on the skilled murals dotting the community.
Howdy! A big Texas sized greeting in the Dallas exurb. Southeast of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is the wild west sounding town. A lakeside retreat for many years, the town’s name is linked to the town’s motto, “we shoot straight with you”.
Along the eastern shore of Cedar Creek reservoir, the town offers water sports galore. Islands dot the lake. Bring a kayak, motor to one of the nature preserve islands, explore the shoreline, birds and wildlife abundant. Down highway 175 a spell, Athens, TX is home to the East Texas Arboretum. Year round the gardens host events, a bee preservation breakfast and mimosas, or Fat Friday, live music and a cigar rolling class. Won’t that be a bonus while boating at Cedar Creek?
A few miles past Athens, a family owned and family friendly zipline company awaits you for thrills and chills. In little LaRue, TX, just might south of the not-so famous, New York, TX.
Back to the lake, cross the lake, head due west, and find yourself at the Texas crossroads locale, Styx, TX. It’s gets hellish hot down south in the summertime.
Rounded out our first episode, a small town built on an oil boom in the area about a hundred years ago. Located in the southern part of the state, it is roughly on the drive between the state capital, Little Rock and New Orleans.
The state manages the Museum of Natural Resources just on the outskirts of town. The museum offers youth programs in summer. 20 minutes down state highway 7 is the regional hub, El Dorado, AR. Multiple golf courses, theatres and various music festivals come to town in spring, summer and early fall. When driving through town, be on the lookout for the only middle of the street traffic light in the state.
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Thank you for indulging my writings.
I write about three topics: music, tourism, and sustainability.
By profession, I am a: Travel Designer. My goal is creating for you: a vacation, holiday, road trip or travels as epic as possible.
Open to collaborate!
My personal website, find me @ https://uxfol.io/joshblackprofessional
