When I was a kid, almost every Sunday, my mom and dad would take us for a ride around the countryside just to see what was out there. We literally drove hundreds of miles in a month finding new places, new parks, scenery...it's what we did!

Now, when I am visiting the family in Alabama, I love to take my kids for rides through the countryside, just seeing what's out there. We have visited state parks, county parks, museums, and just rode around the state, literally, seeing where the roads would take us. We always found our way home and saw some beautiful scenery. I just can't get enough of it.

Up here in Chicagoland, it isn't as easy to do that. In fact, most state parks in Illinois encircle the city of Chicago and aren't that close. And even if we did try and take a road trip, it's pretty much the same all over - flat corn fields. At least, in the immediate vicinity of a good day's trip. So, would it be worth it to a girl who is used to mountain roads that curve into the horizon? That said, I welcome any tips on places that I can check out. I love Americana. I love back-road atractions, and oddities.

And that brings me to Roadsideamerica.com.

If you have never visited this site, I highly recommend it. It will tell you where you can find the weirdest, coolest, and sometimes just plain stupid, sites around the country within a day's trip of your home.

For example, a few places near me are: the McDonald's Museum and 1st Resturant in DesPlains, or the Ferris Bueller glass garage scene location in Highland Park, IL, the silo hidout of Al Capone, or the alley where John Dillinger was shot and killed. Oh wait...here's a good one: A Giant Lady's Leg Sundial in Roselawn, IN at a nudist resort.

Oh my!

I'll pass.