by Ken DrentenThis spring, I launched a new website and blog called Dusty Tires (https://dusty-tires.com/). It's the result of more than a year of thought and development, and about four months of more intense work on my laptop. I created it as an alternative to self-publishing a book. Why? The subject material lends itself to a medium that allows for continual changes and updates. Dusty Tires was created to help people locate and visit places that are sometimes not easy to find but are well worth the search. Often, unless you live near some of these places, you may not know much about them. The places include mills, barns, candy shops, hardware stores, general stores, grocery stores, root beer stands, ice cream shops, factory tours, diners, drive-in restaurants, drive-in movie theaters, historic taverns, lighthouses and many other places. Also included are a few places just outside Ohio that are well worth the drive. From 100 plus-year-old hardware stores to classic drive-in movie theatres, there are great opportunities to enjoy fun, wonderful destinations in Ohio. Dusty Tires is a great starting point to plan day trips, road trips and theme trails. Some of these could be considered stops to investigate and enjoy for a length of time, while others may be worth a quick stop to check off your list. It’s up to you. I remember many of these places, and others like it, from my growing up days in the 1960s and ‘70s in east Columbus, Ohio. It was a real treat to eat hamburgers at Emil’s Steer-Inn, to take day trips to Lynd’s Fruit Farm for apple cider and see double features at the East Main Drive-In Theater. Some of these places have disappeared with the passing of previous generations and the economic effects of shopping malls, recessions and online shopping, but many are still thriving. My hope is that the information in Dusty Tires will help more people invest their time and money in these businesses (many of which are family-run) and allow their owners to keep them going and their communities economically healthy well into the future. In other words, travel locally, buy local, and have fun! I continually add places from personal references, websites, Facebook posts, printed marketing materials and online sources directly related to each business or organization involved. Other features of the site include Ohio travel and tourism links, Ohio Scenic Byways links, and a page to allow purchase of my photos posted on the site. Finally, I post a weekly blog article and promote it to Facebook. Here is the latest blog post -- https://dusty-tires.com/2023/05/30/ohios-scenic-byways-will-take-you-back-home/. You are welcome to subscribe -- it's free!
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