| ON THE ROAD |
Story & photos by KEN FRICK
So you’ ve seen the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion, Pikes Peak, plus the Atlantic and Pacific, maybe even Yankee Stadium, and you’ re looking for something different. Here’ s my baker’ s dozen, most of them off the beaten path, that have remained at the top of my list. Some offer a kitsch type of experience, and others require a specific taste, possibly not your own or not suitable for your steed. Throwing caution to the wind, here goes:
1. PAUL BUNYAN AND BABE THE BLUE OX: Bemidji, MN and Klamath, CA There are Paul Bunyans scattered in at least 13 U. S. locations. Those in Bemidji, Minnesota, and Bangor, Maine, claim Paul by birthright; however, Akeley, Minnesota, also claims to be the woodsman’ s place of birth, but it has a museum! Babe the Blue Ox joins Paul in Bemidji and Klamath, and both are very impressive.
For my money, if you’ re east of the Mississippi, head for Bemidji; if you’ re west, try Paul and Babe at the Trees of Mystery in Klamath. The California example is a close second to the one in Bemidji. Both face somewhat west, so afternoon pictures are better.
2. CINDER CONE LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK, CA Lassen Volcano is the big draw here, a destination for many. I’ ve hiked to Lassen’ s rim, but within the same park boundary is Cinder Cone, a top 10 favorite discovery in all of my travels. Located 10 miles to the northeast of Lassen Peak, it’ s something of an adventure to reach. The road, when I
Rising from the volcanic landscape of Lassen Volcanic National Park, Cinder Cone offers a striking reminder of California’ s fiery geologic past.
34 / SEPTEMBER 2026 / RIDERMAGAZINE. COM