The Markeroni Blog
The blog of Markeroni, the Gentle Art of Landmark-Snarfing

Here are thirteen snarfs that I particularly like.

1. Wigwam Village
   I like this for a number of reasons. Firstly, I have fond memories of going that way when I was on my way to Texas. The timing wasn’t right or I might have stayed there. Secondly, it just looks cool. And thirdly, nobody makes stuff like this any more–and it’s a shame. In our generic world, unique motels like this are a delight. And fourthly, it’s owned by the family who built it. How cool is that?

2. The Hurlers
   One of Britain’s many stone circles. I have been here, and it’s fascinating–and there are other ancient sites around, including a hill fort. I love Cornwall, a magical place, and I think this entry is particularly fun. I mean…toilet paper! What more could one ask?

3. Mima Mounds
   A fascinating landscape of bumps and hillocks. I particularly like the gopher theory. I was taken there briefly and would very much like to explore all the trails. It’s like a mini prairie and is quite peaceful.

4. Phillips 66 Service Station
   Absolutely the cutest little gas station you ever saw, and a far cry from the generic hulks of Shell and Chevron.

5. Wild Burros
   What’s not to like–cute donkeys in the middle of Oatman, California. Of course, with all the tourists, the donkeys are only semi-wild…but still. The cute level is high.

6. Saratoga
   One of my own. This is the landmark that taught me that historical markers really do move around at night, thus giving birth to the Elusive Marker Beast. I also like the story of it.

7. Siamese Twins
   The original Siamese twins. Their life story is amazing, and I had no idea that they lived in rural North Carolina. It’s one of those stories that is usually somewhere around in your psyche, but I had no idea there was a historical marker to go with it.

8. Vietnam Memorial Wall
   This is such a powerful image, with the people paying homage and the reflections.

9. Birthplace of Archie Stevenot
   I like this visually and it’s given me a hankering to ride CA-4 sometime. Tiny little roads are really appealing to me. I gather that towards the end one navigates a 25% grade. Whee! It is also one of Markeroni’s earliest snarfs and I like that.

10. Henry W. Grady House
    I like the story behind this one: the fact that Grady moved to Athens so his sons could attend the university. I also love that Georgia has such an enormous historical marker system. There are something like 1800 of them, as I recall.

11. Waterloo Pioneers
    A cool little tower. I have a similar attitude to narrow steep stairways. I liked the mixture of nostalgia and current-world, as well as the picture.

12. The West Montrose Covered Bridge
    I like covered bridges. They’re not something I ever saw in the UK growing up, and I’ve only ever seen one in California. This one even has a subtitle of “the kissing bridge.” Gee, I wonder why. ;)

13. Portolà Journey’s End
    The first landmark ever logged at Markeroni. Sure seems like a long time ago.
    

Links to other TTs

1. Tinkerbell
   
2. Vixens Den
   
3. Thorne’s World