Evansville, IN

Well... there's nothing weird or unusual today here. Because this is the wedding day of my niece, Beth. Congratulations Beth & Brian!!! There was lots of rain yesterday and my day was filled with getting my kids and then getting over here to Evansville.

I'll post again with plans for visits in this area, but it's likely that there won't be any new oddities until Monday!!! This weekend is all about family and that comes first.

This initial week of travel has been fun & enlightening. After being mentioned on another website my number of hits increased 20 fold... but now they seem to be dwindling. They are not as low as before the mention, but definitely decreasing. This tells me that there were a lot of "one time visitors". For those of you that have returned... THANK YOU... and now I would love your assistance.

If you have any suggestions for improvement, please let me know! More pics? Less pics? Slide Shows? More or fewer posts? Longer? Shorter? Hate the format? Love the format? I would love to know your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

Joe

Jesus With Cowboy Boots - Paris, TX

When I first heard about this, I imagined some horrible garish, maybe even blasphemous statue depicting Jesus as a cowboy or something like that. Until I actually saw the statue, I had no clue what I was going to see. I did not see any photographs before my visit.

Well, I have to tell you I was wrong. First of all, this is an OLD grave marker. Willet Babcock (whose marker the statue rests on) died in 1888! And the depiction of Jesus is very respectful and traditional. He is holding the cross, similar to thousands of other statues. But, if you look closely, and you do have to look closely, instead of the traditional bare feet or sandals, he is wearing cowboy boots, well one cowboy boot to be precise (only one foot shows)

The grave marker is quite impressive, maybe 12-15 feet high. It is one of the largest in the cemetery. The marker does not give any clues to the life of Mr. Babcock, but somewhere in my research, I read that he was a furniture maker. I also read somewhere that he may have been involved in the railroad or fire department or maybe all of the above.

I decided not to be overtly funny or disrespectful here. I thought I would be when I first heard of this "attraction". But, it's not. It's really just a guy who died in "cowboy country" and the memorial shows it. I'd love to learn more about Willet Babcock or the sculptor who did the statue. Anyone?

Eiffel Tower Replica with Cowboy Hat - Paris, TX

Well, I made it. I anticipated this to be one of the highlights of this journey. I mean, really, an Eiffel Tower with a red cowboy hat stuck on top??? Despite the day being gray and cloudy, it was really quite interesting to see this site. It is located on the south edge of town and there is really nothing around it. Nor is there any sort of fanfare or decoration at the site. According to the townspeople a new Veterans' Memorial is planned and they seemed far more excited about that than the Eiffel Tower. I show the sign for the new Memorial if you want to donate.

I'm trying something new with this post. Instead of a LONG LONG entry with lots of photos, I'm posting a slideshow here. PLEASE, let me know your comments! Like? Dislike? Works? Doesn't Work? I just think with a slide show, I can put more photos in less space. Keep reading though, there's more under the show.

The photos don't depict the BRIGHT red hat very well. I tried to help that out with editing, but there's only so much you can do with a photographer like me.

So, as nearly as I can tell, the Eiffel Tower Replica was erected here in Paris, Texas in 1993 (the same year as a replica in Paris, Tennessee) The original Texas tower was 5 feet taller at 65 feet than the Tennessee tower. Tennessee promptly replaced their tower with a 70 foot version and Texas responded with the cowboy hat to take the lead again. The hat is tilted, not because it's a kind gesture to "tip your hat" but because with the tilt, even a few more feet of height were gained.

Now, of course, both replicas are dwarfed by the replica at the Paris casino in Vegas which is over 500 feet, over 1/2 the size of the original.

I'm thinking that in order to do justice, I should visit the replica in Paris, TN. Not positive that will happen, but stay tuned!!!

Thursday Morning - Bowling Green, KY

Well I am a little behind schedule. Look for the Eiffel Tower Replica and the Statue of Jesus with Cowboy Boots posts later this afternoon. Yesterday was a day dedicated to driving and stopping by an old friend's place (after the visits)

I was astounded to see the number of hits here yesterday, undoubtedly because of the fact that Bob at wagonteamster.com mentioned me on his website. THANK YOU, BOB!!!

Even one of the sites that I admire and is an inspiration to me, Tioga George, looked in and bookmarked this site.

I drove a lot of last night and have lunch plans. I'm going to take a little nap and a shower so that I can be fresh for lunch and posting this afternoon!!!

Joe

People

Here I am a few days into the trip, deciding to add things that should have been there from the beginning!!!! I'm adding a "page" above called "People". This is going to be a page of people that I see along the way who are necessarily associated with a "site" that I've visited. SO.... there's a new entry there!!! Take a look!!!

Barbadillo, the Armadillo - NOT

Well... I am not sure if posting this is a good thing or not, but here I go anyway. I find my "places" to visit in all kinds of places, word of mouth, google searches, other websites, even a downloaded file into my GPS unit entitled "Odd & Unusual Tourist Sites" or something similar to that.

Well, one site that is mentioned a couple different places is Barbadillo, a giant sculpture of an armadillo. Well, it turns out the armadillo is an elusive creature. On Monday, I tried to get to Barbadillo, only to encounter a closed road on my path. I was planning on meeting with Wagonteamster that day and gave up the search pretty quickly figuring I'd get back to it later in the day.

Well, things have a way of complicating themselves and I didn't get to it Monday. Tuesday, after a successful meeting with Bob and the Wagonteamster crew I was ready to go find Barbadillo. so with my trust GPS powered up, I set out to find him/her. As, I got to the road closure, I decided to try my luck and finding a way around it. My poor GPS kept saying "recalculating" as I wandered the area.

After some confusion and wandering, the GPS finally announced "Arriving at Barbadillo"!!!!

But I saw nothing... I wandered around... looking for this giant sculpture... to no avail. So, I guess Barbadillo will have to wait for another trip. I give up.

Wagonteamster - Bob (and the horses: Bob, Bill & Doc)

You'll notice there is no city associated with this blog entry. That's because Bob and the horses & wagon are traveling the US. So, by the time I post, they've moved!!! And, not because they're outlaws either.

After kind of a zero day Monday (I couldn't find the wagonteamster team) I started out Tuesday with a great hour spent with Bob and his team. You can find out more information at his website http://www.wagonteamster.com. It's a great site that I have been following for about a year and Bob is part of my reason for wanting to travel full-time in an RV. Although his "RV" only has "3 Horsepower."

The photo above shows an early morning at the wagonteamster camp. That's Doc in the photo. B.O.B. and Bill are behind the rig. I had the good fortune of a conversation with Bob as he prepared for the day.

He a great and personable guy making his way across the United States, meeting people and making friends. His journeys are much more personal than mine. I find odd and unusual "things" to write about and photograph. Bob is actually making real connections. And he's good at it. The section of his site that deals with this 3rd leg of his trip is here. Bob was kind enough to mention my visit on his site!

This is Bob giving the "brush off" to one of the horses. I'm sorry Bob, I am only able to distinguish Doc 'cause he's a different color!!! If you want to comment here and clear up the confusion as to whether this is Bob or Bill... AND... identify the photo below, THANKS. (I thought I'd remember... I hate senility)

Bob has also written a book about his journeys so far. He actually autographed one for me... LOOK OUT eBay if you get rich and famous Bob!!!! (Just Kidding) I haven't started it yet, but I'll go out on a limb, based on my meeting and recommend it. You can find out more on Bob's website.

All in all, it was great start to Tuesday morning!!! Thanks for the hospitality Bob!!!

Interesting Signs... Sights

Well, today I didn't really see any of the sites I had planned. I even added a huge statue of an armadillo... called Barbadillo... but the road was closed from the direction I was coming... so basically a shut out today.

But, I thought I might share a couple of things I did see. One was today (the photo) and the other was something I saw a couple days ago.

So, I'm driving today through the countryside of Texas... I was WAY off the beaten path and I saw this sign... I think in "Ballanger"??? (SP?), TX.

Now my thoughts are these.... if you "need" cremation... you're dead... and if you don't need it yet (pre-need) then wouldn't that be immolation? Walk in "pre-need" and walk out... well... get carried out in an urn.

Just my thoughts???

And the other thing I saw that was kinda cute in my opinion was a billboard. Unfortunately, I was driving like 80 and didn't pull out the camera so you'll just have to rely on my vivid descriptions... NOT

A couple on the billboard... I can't even remember what they were doing, but it was pretty basic... maybe looking at each other... and the billboard is advertising an adult novelty, toy & lotion store... their motto "It's Cheaper Than A Divorce."

I like that!!!

Waxing Philosophic

Since this was a short day as far as visits go, I thought I might share some of my thoughts, etc. on this whole deal!!!

First off, it may surprise you to know that I don't even have a radio/stereo in the 4Runner. I spend all time driving in virtual silence with only the road and engine noise to distract me. My daughters can't believe I do that. I do love music. I'm horrible and titles, artists, etc. but I do love it. I finally broke down about a year ago and bought an iPod... great little device... don't know where it is right now.

Instead, I spend my hours thinking, which could be a dangerous practice. But, while thinking, I come up with these crazy ideas like this place and what to write here. You may notice that there are new "pages" popping up here with nothing on them (except to say "coming soon"). These times in the truck are usually productive and I really never dwell on negative ideas. I usually end up with positive feelings which is great.

Which is why I've decided to share a little here.

As most of you know, I hope to eventually hope to travel fulltime in an RV beginning in about 2 years. I will not have the money to "retire" so I have to figure out a way to support myself on the road. I love to travel and I have always been a fan of things that are "not normal." So, I came up with this thing. Hopefully, you will find this site interesting enough to come back and see what I've done that's new... what I've changed that's old and everything in between. And if you find an ad or two that you can click, so much the better.

But, more importantly, this wild and crazy idea is going to give me time to think!!! As I said to someone today, I have solved most of the world's problems already in the 1,000+ miles traveled in the last two days. I guess that's why I feel like I can share that too, instead of just the silly stuff. (Although, I'm probably gonna end up with it on another site)

So today's "heavy" subject (and I will only use a few lines) is being alone vs. being lonely. I travel alone. I have been divorced for 12 years without remarrying. I have mostly lived alone for that time. But, I am not lonely. Alone, to me, is a physical state, meaning there's just no one physically present with you.

Being lonely is an emotional and mental state. I really believe than an individual can control that. It takes a lot of work, discipline, etc. But I still think loneliness is controllable and avoidable and not a necessary result of being alone.

So much for today's serious note... now let's get back to the fun stuff!!!

Tomorrow, hopefully, or maybe Tuesday, I'm going to meet a man who is traveling the United States in a horse drawn wagon. Talk about seeing the world at a slow pace!!!

Trouble in Paradise - Ora Lee & Me

Well, it was bound to happen... the two of us traveling together, in such close quarters, barely knowing each other. Ora Lee and I have having our first argument. Some of you may have noticed that she looked a little "wind-blown" in her photo at the "Center of the World", a fact that I mentioned in the blog. Apparently that is a big "no-no"!!! Not only does a gal always want to look her best for photos (and I didn't give her adequate time to prepare), I had to point it out in the blog which just drew more attention to it.

Arguing with Ora is difficult. I absolutely stated my position and PUT MY FOOT down (apparently that invokes terror in a SOCK PUPPET). Not only that... she never speaks... oh yeah... the sock puppet thing....

So we will see what happens between us. She's now missed TWO photo opportunities!!!

(Truth is folks, I forgot... twice)

A&W Root Beer Family - Willcox, AZ

Wow... just one visit today, but a lot of miles... more on the miles later.

Before there was Ronald McDonald, before there was a Bob's Big Boy (for you west-coasters)A&W Root Beer introduced a whole family of "restaurant mascots", The A&W Root Beer Family. They are: Papa Burger, Mama Burger, Teen Burger and Baby Burger (who was not in this collection unfortunately).

These 3 remaining statues are still at their original location, or at least I think it is. Carter's was certainly an old A&W Root Beer Stand. The oval sign and the architecture are unmistakable.

Unfortunately, Carter's was closed today, Sunday, so I was unable to talk to the owner to gain any insight on the statues. Perhaps another day, or if you see this and know them... they can comment here and fill us in. I am hoping that this was originally an A&W and those statues are the originals. I would like to know what happened to Baby Burger?

Also, on a personal note, Teen Burger who stands out front actually rotates slowly on his pedestal. At first I thought it might be the wind, but it's not. He just rotates slowly... left.. then right... then left... well you get the idea. Just seemed eerie to me!!!

Below are close ups of each of the three that remain. From what I have seen on the internet, it is unusual that these have survived virtually intact, specifically with the mugs of root beer in their hands. All that's missing is Baby???

By the way... you may have noted the absence of Ora Lee... alas, there's trouble in paradise... see a separate blog entry on this date for that story.

Space Age Lodge & Restaurant - Gila Bend, AZ

This was the last stop of my first day on the road. I had driven by this place about 6 months ago and had to come back and figure it all out!!! Just looked like an old, vintage motel with LOTS of character. I mean who puts a flying saucer on their roof?

And yet, there it is!

According to information they gave me at the front desk (yes, I always ask permission before I start taking photos, etc.) The motel was built in 1964/1965 (I figured older) and originally had a three 10 foot diameter satellite replicas on the roof. These were replaced with the flying saucer in a 1969 renovation. What a shame!

The restaurant was destroyed by fire in 1998 but was rebuilt. I had dinner there. Good food, great ambiance, what with all the space stuff.

Anyway, the motel exterior carries on the space age theme (I didn't get a room).

Even the pool looks futuristic, complete with a geodesic dome for the equipment

That's all for today, folks. I am thinking that I might be revising these things as time goes on, so check back if you can. I may have added something that you don't wanna miss... or not.

Center of the World - Felicity, CA

I heard of this place and wondered how the heck can you call yourself "The Center of the World?" Not to get too technical, but wouldn't any point on the surface of a sphere connect directly to the "center" of the sphere, making every place the center of the world? That's just my warped thought process, but as it turns out, this place has been "officially" recognized as "The Center of the World." (I forgot to ask who designated it)

I'm not sure if I picked a good day or a bad day to visit. While there, I found out that the "Discovery Channel" was filming a segment for a "Green Earth" day program. I haven't figured out what makes the place "green." At any rate, my day included signing a release so that I could appear on camera.

So, here's the deal here... although because of the filming, it was not a "usual" day... you pay $3.00 for a "certificate" that declares the date and time you stood at the "center of the world". Once they get a few of these certificates sold... they take you into a pyramid structure....

Then you stand precisely on a dot, facing north towards a church and make a wish

The view facing the church....

The founder and mayor of Felicity (complete with sash) congratulating the host from Discovery after making her wish.

The sound girl from Discovery making her wish

YES, I did make a wish... for "whirled peas" (and you all thought I'd wish for the sound girl!!!)

Ora did not, sadly, get to make a wish. I am too cheap to pay $3.00 for a sock puppet to wish to become a real girl.... oh wait... that was Pinochio... wrong story.

I think it was a little windy for Ora!

Worlds Tallest Paper Cup - Riverside, CA

Well, I gotta say.. "it's big"!!! BUT, in all honesty, not even sure it's paper. This cup is located on the property that was formerly a Sweetheart factory. It's now vacant and "For Sale". The cup sits out front with no fanfare, no placard, no nothing. This is definitely one of those things that I had to see, is out of the way and probably won't be visited much by anyone. But, heck, Ora wanted to stop by....

Roadside Woolly Mammoth - Jurupa, CA

So as you drive along the 60 Freeway in Los Angeles, CA headed for Riverside, CA, you see this elephant, no mastodon, NO... Woolly Mammoth on the north side of the freeway. It certainly got my curiosity up.

As it turns out, the mammoth is part of a display at the Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center, a educational non-profit organization that has a few dinosaur sculptures on display too. Ora liked it here a lot, I think.

No dinosaurs ever lived in these parts. The sculptures are just that... sculptures. Not bones, fossils, etc. However, as Mary Burns, Executive Director of the Center told me, there WERE woolly mammoths in the area. And, in fact, they have a mammoth's tusk in the back which they are working on. It is a fossil and they painstakingly pick the dirt away to reveal the tusk underneath. Below is Mary working with a dentist's pick and a close up of the revealed tusk.

The purpose of the site is to serve educational needs of kids. So, it turns out this isn't such an "odd" or "curious" site at all. They provide a place for kids to go on field trips etc. I saw "scouts" there as well. They are only "open" I guess on Saturday, so I was lucky. The Center is within a nursery and I neglected to figure that out. There is a center full of rocks, mineral & fossils as well.

Teacher, educators etc. should call the Center to arrange visits!!! Click here to visit their website.

Ready to Go!!!

First of all, the dates on these are a day behind. Not because of any computer issues, but because I was in a place last night where I had no wireless internet... THE NERVE of the world... a place without a connection.

At any rate, I started yesterday promptly one hour later than planned, 7:00 a.m. The pics below are of my truck and how it's packed. In the back behind the driver is my sleeping bag and pad. (I've actually slept there one night now and it's not too bad... certainly not a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10... but a good solid 7 at least). All the stuff on the right is living essentials... food, clothes etc.

Next is my passenger side which consists almost entirely of electronics and maps. And the infamous odometer which turns out is pretty useless since I have discovered that it's about 25% OFF... that screws up my fuel calculations a BUNCH. I may have to get part time jobs along the way... getting 15 mpg... NOT 20!!!

And last, but certainly not least is Ora... looking relaxed and ready to go on the journey!

We're off!!!

Counting down... less than 12 hours

Just a short quick post here to say that I'm virtually ready to go... we're shooting for a 6:00a.m. blast off tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

Thanks to all of you for your support and especially for the donations!!!! I am truly amazed and humbled. (Keep 'em coming!!!! LOL)

Next post should be from the road!!!

Joe

In The Beginning: My Traveling Companion!!!

Well... she's here!!! After much thought and consideration (3 minutes is a lot, right?), I have chosen a traveling companion. She'll be with me and serve as my right hand (well... actually LEFT hand) man... woman... well... loosely... woman.

I guess the real purpose will be to verify that I'm really at the places I talk about and not just d/l a bunch of pics off the web or something. She will appear in at least one or two pics at every site. So... without further ado... ???? Here she is.... Ms Ora Lee, my companion.

I tried to talk to Ora Lee, but despite her name, she didn't really have much to say. In fact, she said nothing. When I asked her how she felt about being the truck with me for three weeks covering maybe 5,000 - 6,000 miles, she didn't look real happy?

At any rate, today is Monday and the scheduled departure at this point is Saturday, maybe Friday night. Like the entire trip, I hope, plans are not concrete and won't be throughout!!! Please feel free to comment, criticize, compliment or just be complacent... LOL... nice alliteration, don't you think?