Something about springtime gets me in the mood to hit the open road. Thankfully, it’ll be in the 80s next week and I’m heading out into the desert with my gal pals. It had me thinking about some of the freak attractions on roadsides. I hope to get shots of some that we run into. Here’s some to cover just about every nook and cranny of the US. Makes you want to set out with the family and look for the largest ball of twine or such… (for more ideas, try this awesome site)
ALABAMA: Anniston, AL. World’s largest chair (since Pat Robertson is the world’s largest ass, I’m thinking it might be his seat). 625 Noble St.
ARIZONA: When I first move to Arizona, I remember the trip along I-10 that crosses the country. There were billboards occasionally reminding us of “The Thing! Mystery of the Desert” and how many miles until “The Thing!” I couldn’t wait to find out what “The Thing” was. At a quaint old western antique shop outside of Tucson in a little shed there sat a glass enclosed coffin with, well, something that appeared to be mummified (no doubt paper maiche), but it was ghastly exciting! 2631 N Johnson Rd, Dragoon, AZ (I-10 exit 322, south side.)
CALIFORNIA: In California, as you’re driving I-10 from Arizona to LA, you run into some life-sized dinosaurs in Cabazon. You probably remember them if you saw the awesome movie “Pee-Wee Herman’s Big Adventure.”
MICHIGAN: Alpena, MI: Giant Paul Bunyan made of car parts. 666 Johnson St., Alpena, MI
NEW YORK: Ashland, NY: Replica of the Partridge Family Bus. Route 23 West in Ashland NY. It is such a one-horse town, you really can't miss it.
OHIO: Akron, OH: Indian head. A giant sculpture of an Indian head cut into a tree. Sand Run Park & Fairlawn Grade School. Exit 136 off I-77, head east(toward Akron) on Akron-Medina Rd (aka SR 18). You will pass a SuperKmart on your right. Follow SR 18 (aka West Market), past Summit Mall on your left, many stores on both sides of the road, over the railroad tracks. The elementary school with the ugly Indian head is a couple minutes further east on the left hand side of the road.
OREGON: Alfalfa, OR: The Shoe Tree. A tree festooned with loads of shoes. Apparently, as kids leave for college, they leave a pair of shoes on the tree as a symbolism for hitting the road. East of Alfalfa (east of Bend) on Willard Road before it turns south.
PENNSYLVANIA: Atloona, PA (by the way, this town seems to have a lot of weird stuff). The America’s oldest rollercoaster built in 1902. 700 Park Ave.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Bowman, SC: UFO Welcome Center.
TEXAS: Amarillo, Texas: Cadillac Ranch. It houses 10 graffiti-covered Cadillacs buried nose down in the dirt. In a cow pasture along eastbound I-40 between exits 60 and 62. Exit onto the frontage road, then enter the pasture through an unlocked gate. Visitors are encouraged.
Thanks for the travel recomendations. I've heard of that chair in Alabama, although I have never seen it. I think the world's biggest ass award may go to Glenn Beck, but I'm sure that's not his chair so maybe it is Pat Robertson's.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, maybe Glenn sits on Pat's lap, huh?
ReplyDeletehey guys, be nice...i LOVE glenn beck, even watched him b4 he was on Fox! you still like me right??
ReplyDeletei'd love to see all these places!!
Libby;
ReplyDeleteI won't hold it against you. If you said the assanine things he says, I might be miffed, but he's the mouth. You're just a listener. I'll be sure to get lots of film and photos of the weird places I'm going to. You can enjoy the west through me.
Well, technically, the chair in Anniston is the world's biggest "office" chair. There's a chair somewhere else in the world that's bigger. (but that one's not an office chair!).
ReplyDeleteIt could well be the biggest chair, office or otherwise, in the US, though.
Gummer--How did I know you'd know that about it? You are up on everything in your neck of the woods!
ReplyDelete