U is for Unique Monsters: Dinos, Dragons & Other Monsters – #atozchallenge

People are enthralled by dinosaurs and dragons. Maybe it is because humans have never really seen one alive. All we have are fossil evidences and legends.

A roadtrip on the back roads of America will almost always present a dinosaur or a dragon. I have seen hundreds in my travels.

Dragon Biting my head off – Jurustic Park – Marshfield, Wisconsin

In this post I hope to share some of the photos and fun of dinosaurs, dragons and other monster thingies as seen on the road.

Autumn and “Grampz” with the Hodag of Rhinelander, WI

Let’s look at a couple of strange monsters first. First there is the Hodag, a unique monster found in Rhinelander, WI. According to an 1893 newspaper article it was “the fiercest, strangest, most frightening monster ever to set razor sharp claws on the earth. It became extinct after its main food source, all white bulldogs, became scarce in the area.”

A giant monster sculpture greets you at the Mount Horeb Welcome Center. Created by Wally Keller

Wisconsin really seems to be the monster capital of the country. In Mt. Horeb, there is another cool looking monster statue in front of the visitor center. Created by Wally Keller, an artist from nearby.

20 foot tall Jurustic Park dragon in Marshfield, WI

Clyde Wynia, the creator of Jurustic Park and the artist behind all of the work

Of course, the premier “dragon” stop in Wisconsin is Jurustic Park in Marshfield, WI. Created by artist (and former attorney) Clyde Wynia, this large property has well over 1000 pieces of welded scrap metal art, including a few dragons.

Clyde has a number of stories about his “artwork fossils” and makes it a fun place to visit. Note that it really is off the beaten path, but well worth a visit!

Big Dragon – Jurustic Park – Marshfield, Wisconsin

And the afore mentioned Wally Keller, who passed away a few years ago, also had a nice menagerie in his front yard.

Hungry Dinosaur – Wally Keller collection near Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin

Scrap Metal Dinosaur – work done by Wally Keller – near Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin

There is another scrap metal artist in Centralia, MO who also has created a number of similar dinosaurs.

Sumoflam and Larry Vennard at his Iron Sculpture Park in Centralia, MO

Larry Vennard’s Highway “T” Rex near Centralia, MO

Sumoflam and the Fire Breathing Dragon of Kaskaskia in Vandalia, IL

One of the most interesting dragons out there is the Kaskaskia Fire breathing dragon in Vandalia, IL

This monster was the brainchild of Kaskaskia Supply owner Walt Barenfanger. The 35 foot long beast is not only a nice piece of metal art, it is also FIRE BREATHING! Yes, go across the street to the Liquor Store or over to the Kaskaskia Hardware store and get a token for One Dollar, stick it into the self-service coin box and this guy’s eyes light up red and he breathes REAL fire for about 10 seconds!!

There are, of course, many other dragons out there.

“Horn Dragon” by Diego Harris. Currently on display at Real Goods Store in Hopland, CA

Dragon with Cowboy Boots at Big Texan Steak House in Amarillo, TX

Metal Dragon on a Building – Clayton, New Mexico

Guitar Playing Scrap Metal Dragon – Harrietsville, Ontario

Impressive Dragon mural on a Chinese Restaurant in Oak Creek, Colorado

But, its the dinosaurs that impress. Many have been built to the presumed size and shape of the various monsters. In fact, there are a number of T Rex statues out there.

Skeleton Walking Dinosaur near Murdo, South Dakota

Head of the T-Rex at Wells Dinosaur Haven in Connecticut

A T-Rex at a miniature golf course in Ocean City, MD

A 15 foot dinosaur overlooks Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska

The Old Trail Museum in Choteau Museum has scary dinosaurs – located in Choteau, Montana on the “Dinosaur Trail”

Large Sign about the Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis, Wyoming

Most impressive of all is the great escape of dinosaurs from the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. Life size and REALLY REAL looking.

Dinos break out of Indianapolis Children’s Museum

Dinosaurs peek into the Children’s Museum

And here are a few more dinosaur shots from around the country

A Dinosaur Sighting outside the Cleveland Museum of Natural history

One of over 35 life-size dinosaur creations at Wells Dinosaur Haven in Uncasville, CT

Dinos at Wells Dinosaur Haven in Uncasville, CT

An outdoor dinosaur at the Old Trail Museum in Choteau, Montana

Colorful Dinosaur near Carnegie Museum, originally part of DinoMite Days in 2003

Scrap Metal Dinosaur chasing a ram – Glasgow, Montana

Grazing Dinosaur – Harrietsville, Ontario

Giant 80 foot tall Wall Drug Dino, in Wall, SD

and finally, who can forget that cute little Sinclair Gas dinosaur?

Famous Sinclair Dinosaur at Little America, WY

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April 9, 2016April 9, 2016

A to Z Challenge: The H Towns #atozchallenge

During the month of April I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge has each blogger select a theme and then do a post thematically from A to Z during each day of April , except Sundays. My blog is number 1337 out of 1670 participating blogs. This year my A to Z posts will take you across the back roads of America to many unique what other bloggers will be posting about, check out the link: A to Z Theme Reveal List for 2016

The H Towns

Hell, Michigan

Direction to Hell from Pickney, MI — Direction to Hell from Pinckney, MI

I can’t in good conscience include a post about towns that begin with H without starting with Hell, Michigan. Located near Pinckney on a beautiful forest drive, Hell is a great tourist spot. There are only a few buildings there including an unofficial Post Office (it is actually part of Pinckney, but they have this one there and will do a Hell post mark). There is an ice cream/gift shop called I Scream, then there is the Dam Fine Food and Spirits place and you can even get official Dam U T-shirts (Damnation University). No public restrooms, just Porta Potties. You can see my complete post about Michigan and Hell that I wrote back in 2008 HERE.

Hamtramck, Michigan

The creation of Ukranian born Dmytro Szylak, Hamtramck Disneyland still brings in vistors to Detroit

A menagerie of oddball and offbeat things all over the roof, side of the house and the yard - Hamtramck Disneyland — A menagerie of oddball and offbeat things all over the roof, side of the house and the yard – Hamtramck Disneyland

Hamtramck Disneyland in 2008 - Detroit — Hamtramck Disneyland in 2008 – Detroit

Old Ice Cream Shop in Hamtramck — Burks Igloo Ice Cream Shop in Hamtramck

A Shop converted to a Mosque in Hamtramck, MI

Sticking in Michigan, swing over to the Hamtramck suburb of Detroit. This is a very interesting place to say the least. Hamtramck was originally settled by German farmers, but Polish immigrants flooded into the area when the Dodge Brothers plant opened in 1914. Poles used to make up a large proportion of the population. It is sometimes confused with Poletown, a traditional Polish neighborhood, which used to lie mostly in the city of Detroit and includes a small part of Hamtramck. But more recently (November 2015) the blue-collar city that has been home to Polish Catholic immigrants and their descendants for more than a century has now become what demographers think is the first jurisdiction in the nation to elect a
majority-Muslim council. In fact, in 2013 the town earned the distinction of becoming what appears to be the first majority-Muslim city in the United States following the arrival of thousands of immigrants from Yemen, Bangladesh and Bosnia over a decade.

Despite all of this, tucked away on a side street is probably one of the most interesting accumulations of weird whirly gigs, mannequins, and a plethora of oddball knick knacks. Known as Hamtramck Disneyland, it is a yard art folk art located owned by a man named Dmytro Szylak. Hamtramck Disneyland was started in 1992 and came to be finished in 1999. Szylak died at age 92 in May 2015 and now the future of the place, located at 12087 Klinger St in Hamtramck, is in question. But the menagerie of fun will always be etched in my mind.

Hamilton, Ontario

Hutch's Burgers and French Fries in Hamilton, Ontario — Hutch’s Burgers and French Fries in Hamilton, Ontario

While living in Ontario in 2008, I visited a number of places and always seemed to pass through Hamilton, a wonderful place to visit. In the town itself is the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, which contains over 40 different aircraft. Then there are the waterfalls!! The township has over 100 waterfalls within a short drive from downtown, and many of them are spectacular. The area is part of the Niagara Escarpment which provides perfect geological conditions for waterfalls to occur, from Tobermory to Niagara Falls. The most scenic waterfall in Hamilton is Webster’s Falls. With its 98 ft crest, it is the largest waterfall within the city. Tew’s Falls is a 135 ft ribbon waterfall, and is the tallest waterfall found in Hamilton. Both are in photos above. There is a website dedicated to the waterfalls of Hamilton HERE. And then, after all of the waterfalls, head over to Lake Ontario and to the shoreside burger joint known as Hutch’s on the Beach for a great burger in a 1960s style diner.

Hatch, New Mexico

We’ll move from Hutch’s on the Beach clear south to Hatch, New Mexico. Hatch is known as the Chile Capital of the World. Located off Interstate 25, between Las Cruces and Truth or Consequences, the Village of Hatch has a population registered at little over 1,600 people. Chiles can be seen everywhere, both dried and fresh. The Hatch Green Chiles are my most favorite in the world!! Stop into one of the shops and get some and you too will be hooked. Every year in September they have their Hatch Valley Chile Festival which looks amazing. While in Hatch, check out Sparky’s burger joint which has a vintage A&W Family on the roof and nearby is giant Muffler Man. Ronald McDonald, Colonel Sanders and other fun stuff decorates the place known for BBQ and their World Famous Green Chile Cheeseburger. I went through there a few years ago, but never got around to writing a blog post. But many of my photos can be seen HERE.

Hico, Texas

Portion of a mural in Hico, TX by artist Stylle Read

Hico is Texas all the way. Only about 1400 people live there, but everything is BIG there. From the giant 12 foot tall spurs in front of a business to the many murals splashed on walls throughout the town, it is a fun place. And of course, you can’t miss the Billy the Kid Museum in downtown. The town where “Everybody is Somebody” is covered in my 2012 Blog Post HERE.

Hopland, California

In May 2015 I was in the San Francisco area to participate in Antsy McClain’s Woodflock gathering in Red Bluff, CA. Along the way we passed a sign that said “Needing to Pee?” What a kick! It was one of many signs in Hopland advertising the naturalist’s department store known as Real Goods. Hopland It is located on the west bank of the Russian River 13 miles south-southeast of Ukiah, at an elevation of 502 feet and has a population of about 750 environmentally conscious folks. I got to meet one of America’s Solar Pioneers while there and saw a plethora of interesting items inn the shop, which is an extension of their massive website catalog. The place has a see through working beehive, the strangest restrooms in the world and some interesting, unique and even quirky items for sale. See my full post about Real Goods HERE.

Hoboken, New Jersey

The grandkidz get a view of Manhattan from Frank Sinata Park in Hoboken. (Photo by Marissa Noe) — The grandkidz get a view of Manhattan from Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken. (Photo by Marissa Noe)

At Carlos Bake Shop in Hoboken, NJ in 2015

Famed Cannoli at Carlo's Bake Shop in Hoboken — Famed Cannoli at Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken

On another family trip in 2015, my wife, daughter and grandchildren all headed east to Connecticut for a baby blessing. On the way we made a stop in Hoboken, NJ, which offers amazing views of New York City and is also the home of world famous Carlos Bake Shop, from the TV show Cake Boss. The town is packed, the roads are narrow, but the atmosphere, even at 11 PM, is amazing. See my complete roadtrip report, including Hoboken photos (and Hershey, PA photos) HERE.

Hugo, Oklahoma

Elephant Statue in front of the Hugo Chamber of Commerce

Old wall mural in Hugo depicts some of the history of the town.

Showmen's Rest, a cemetery for circus workers in Hugo, Oklahoma — Showmen’s Rest, a cemetery for circus workers in Hugo, Oklahoma

On a return trip from Texas in 2014, I made my way into southeast Oklahoma for a visit to Hugo, which has the nickname of Circus City USA as it is perhaps best known as a resting place for Circus Performers and, has become the eternal resting place for many of these performers. Hugo has been a circus wintering ground since 1942 and is still such for three circuses and their staff and performers, The Carson and Barnes Circus, The Kelly-Miller Circus, and the Culpepper-Merriweather Circus. It is a common site to drive past their grounds in the winter and see them taking care of an elephant or working on their equipment. The town cemetery, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, has a special area called Showmen’s Rest which features unique headstones and grave sites for circus performers and owners. there is also a section called Bull Rider’s Reprieve set aside as a resting place for rodeo riders that have passed on. I thoroughly enjoyed the brief visit to this hallowed ground to remember circus performers. Here are a few photos from this fascinating corner of a cemetery. Read more about it in my 2015 post HERE.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hershey's Chocolate World — Hershey’s Chocolate World

Amaree, Seth and Marissa at Hershey Chocolate World in 1990s — Some of my children at Hershey Chocolate World in 1990s

In the southwest region of Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg, the chocolate scented town of Hershey rests. Home of the Hershey Chocolate company, the town is decorated everywhere with chocolaty things, right down to the town’s Hershey’s Kiss shaped streetlights. I visited there in 1998 and then again in 2015. Hershey’s Chocolate World has some great stuff, lots of chocolate for sale and even a factory tour. We visited Hershey on the same trip as Hoboken, so check out my blog link above.

Home on the Range, North Dakota (Honorable Mention)

Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam…well, Home on the Range is somewhere in Western North Dakota off of Interstate 94. It turns out that Home on the Range is a working Catholic-run ranch for boys and girls ages 12-19, especially those that were abused or come from broken families. It helps them readjust and cope. Appears to be a great program.

Hamburg, Iowa (Honorable Mention)

Stoner Drug - Hamburg, Iowa - what a name for a drug store — Stoner Drug – Hamburg, Iowa – what a name for a drug store

Finally, I wanted to mention the small town of Hamburg, Iowa only because of the unique shop there known as Stoner Drug Store. They even sell T-Shirts!! The Drug store still has a working Malt/Soda Bar like they had in the 1960s. You can see more HERE.

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August 7, 2013May 30, 2015

Yard Art: Creativity with Scrap Metal, Chain Saw Art and “stuff” collections

Need some dolls? Shop in Buena Vista, Colorado

As I travel the backroads of America and Canada I always run across all sorts of what some call “Yard Art”. Others call it folk art, offbeat art, quirky things, etc. Well, there is the whimsical and fun, there is the unique and then the downright strange. Some of the sites, like Cadillac Ranch above, are world famous. Others are in the middle of nowhere and are happenstance and unexpected. Following is a menagerie of quirky and offbeat whimsy and creativity that I have seen. Enjoy the ride and see if you have been to any of these places…

SCRAP METAL DINOSAURS AND DRAGONS

Perhaps one of the most common types of yard art I see is scrap metal work. And it seems that dinosaurs and dragons are the most popular. Here are a few.

(UPDATE II – May 2015: On a recent trip to California, I discovered this great piece called “Horn Dragon” by Upper Lake, CA artist Diego Harris. It certainly fits into this post!)

(UPDATE – October 2013: I have found another great scrap metal artist besides those noted below. Visit my post on Larry Vennard from Centralia, Missouri)

Big White Dino made of old car parts - Bertram, Texas — Big White Dino made of old car parts – Bertram, Texas

Giant Scrap Metal Triceratops - near Rudyard, Montana — Giant Scrap Metal Triceratops – near Rudyard, Montana

Small triceratops in someone's yard in Kelly, Wyoming, near Grand Tetons National Park — Small triceratops in someone’s yard in Kelly, Wyoming, near Grand Tetons National Park

Big Scrap Metal Stegosaurus - Texas Pipe Company - Houston, Texas — Big Scrap Metal Stegosaurus – Texas Pipe Company – Houston, Texas

Scary Dragon - Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin — Scary Dragon – Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin

Metal Dragon Head - Salida, Colorado — Metal Dragon Head – Salida, Colorado

SCRAP METAL CRITTERS

Barbed Wire Buffalo Head – Sod House Museum – Gothenburg, Nebraska

Of course, dinosaurs and dragons are not the only creatures (critters) that can be seen out on the road. Here are a few more scrap metal (found metal) critters from all over…

Big Parrot - Jurustic Park - Marshfield, Wisconsin — Big Parrot – Jurustic Park – Marshfield, Wisconsin

Scrap metal buck made from car parts - Kadoka, South Dakota — Scrap metal buck made from car parts – Kadoka, South Dakota

Scrap Metal Horses - Durant, Oklahoma — Scrap Metal Horses by Doug Owen – Durant, Oklahoma

Scrap Metal Alligator - Harrietsville, Ontario — Scrap Metal Alligator – Harrietsville, Ontario

Giant Armadillo - Texas Pipe Company - Houston, Texas — Giant Armadillo – Texas Pipe Company – Houston, Texas

Gigantic Scrap Metal Bull - Montrose, South Dakota — Gigantic Scrap Metal Bull – Montrose, South Dakota

Giant Scrap Metal Fish - by Gary Greff, on Enchanted Highway in North Dakota — Giant Scrap Metal Fish – by Gary Greff, on Enchanted Highway in North Dakota

Huge Pheasant Family - by Gary Greff on Enchanted Highway in North Dakota — Huge Pheasant Family – by Gary Greff on Enchanted Highway in North Dakota

See my complete tour of Enchanted Highway here

Metal Bird - Idaho Falls, Idaho — Metal Bird – Idaho Falls, Idaho

Scrap Metal Horse - Oil Springs, Ontario — Scrap Metal Horse – Oil Springs, Ontario

Scrap Metal Ostrich - Salida, Colorado — Scrap Metal Ostrich – Salida, Colorado

Scrap Metal Anteater - Walla Walla, Washington — Scrap Metal Anteater – Walla Walla, Washington

Scrap Metal Turtle - near Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin — Scrap Metal Turtle – near Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin

Big Horse - Clayton, New Mexico — Big Horse – Clayton, New Mexico

Scrap Metal Pink Flamingo at Melody Muffler in Walla Walla, Washington

Scrap Metal Flamingo - Harrietsville, Ontario — Scrap Metal Flamingo – Harrietsville, Ontario

SCRAP METAL FOLK

The Tin Family - Enchanted Highway — The Tin Family – Enchanted Highway

Of course, dinos and critters are not the only things made out of scrap metal. People are too. Perhaps the biggest and most impressive scrap metal people I have ever seen are the three that comprise the “Tin Family” at the end of the Enchanted Highway in North Dakota (if driving from I-94 or first one if driving from Regent, ND). The Dad is 45 feet tall, Mom is 44 feet tall and the Tin Kid is 23 feet tall. But, there are many more that are unique. Here are a few scrap metal folk found on the road…

Greedy Attorney - Jurustic Park - Marshfield, Wisconsin — Greedy Attorney – Jurustic Park – Marshfield, Wisconsin

Barbed Wire Indian Chief and Horse - Sod House Museum - Gothenburg, Nebraska — Barbed Wire Indian Chief and Horse – Sod House Museum – Gothenburg, Nebraska

Scrap Metal Mariachi Band - Hico, Texas — Scrap Metal Mariachi Band – Hico, Texas

Scrap Metal and wire Man and Dog at entrance to Gates of the Mountains in Montana

Scrap Metal Farmer - Oil City, Ontario — Scrap Metal Farmer – Oil City, Ontario

Flute Player made from mufflers at Melody Muffler in Walla Walla, Washington

Big Scrap Metal Soldier - near Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin — Big Scrap Metal Soldier – near Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin

Scrap Metal Blackfeet Warriors - Cut Bank, Montana — Scrap Metal Blackfeet Warriors – Cut Bank, Montana

Blackfeet Warrior 1 - Cut Bank, Montana — Blackfeet Warrior 1 – Cut Bank, Montana

Blackfeet Warrior 2 - Cut Bank, Montana — Blackfeet Warrior 2 – Cut Bank, Montana

Scrap Metal Lady Liberty - Hamtamck, Michigan — Scrap Metal Lady Liberty – Hamtamck, Michigan

15 foot Tall Mariachi Trumpet Player - Bertram, Texas — 15 foot Tall Mariachi Trumpet Player – Bertram, Texas

Then there is the most magnificent of all scrap metal art pieces, the World’s Largest (according to the Guinness Book of World Recrod’s). This is at the entry of the amazing Enchanted Highway in North Dakota:

Geese in Flight - World's Largest Scrap Metal Sculpture - Enchanted Highway off of I-94 in North Dakota — Geese in Flight – World’s Largest Scrap Metal Sculpture – Enchanted Highway off of I-94 in North Dakota

CHAIN SAW ART

Chainsaw Guy - Alpena, Arkansas — Chainsaw Guy – Alpena, Arkansas

Obviously, scrap metal is not the only medium used in the creation of yard art. There is a ton of work don with chain saws and wood. I have seen hundreds of pieces dot the country. Here are a few from all over…

Wooden Bear Totem Pole - Gronk's in Superior, Wisconsin — Wooden Bear Totem Pole – Gronk’s in Superior, Wisconsin

Crusty Old Man – Pauly’s Backwoods Gifts and Chainsaw Carvings – Gateway, Arkansas

Wooden Eagle - Red Cliff, Colorado — Wooden Eagle – Red Cliff, Colorado

Wooden Piano Playing Crow - Winter Wheat - Sparta, Ontario — Wooden Piano Playing Crow – Winter Wheat – Sparta, Ontario

Relaxing Bears - Sawtooth City, Idaho — Relaxing Bears – Sawtooth City, Idaho

Climbing Bears - Robbins Amazing Art - Ridgetown, Ontario — Climbing Bears – Robbins Amazing Art – Ridgetown, Ontario

Big Indian - Blackwater, missouri — Big Indian – Blackwater, Missouri

Big Moose - Shelby, Nebraska — Big Moose – Shelby, Nebraska

One of dozens of HUGE trolls in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin

Another Mt. Horeb Troll - for good measure — Another Mt. Horeb Troll – for good measure

Gigantic Peter Toth carved Indian in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He has more than 55 of these around the US, all different. I have only seen two.

Wooden Mermaid - Robbins Art - Ontario — Wooden Mermaid – Robbins Art – Ontario

Lady - Sharon, Pennsylvania — Lady – Sharon, Pennsylvania

The epitome of Chain Saw Art is the Chain Saw Totem Pole forest in Medford, Wisconsin. Chainsaw Gordy has gone to a whole new cut above…. 21 poles with nearly 400 chainsaws in them, all done by Gordy Lekies.

Chainsaw Gordy - near Medford, Wisconsin — Chainsaw Gordy – near Medford, Wisconsin

Chainsaw Totem Pole - Medford, Wisconsin — Chainsaw Totem Pole – Medford, Wisconsin

MAILBOXES AS PART OF THE ARTWORK

Milk Can Mailbox - near Burke, South Dakota — Milk Can Mailbox – near Burke, South Dakota

Though not nearly as prevalent as Chain Saw art and metal art, there are the occasional unique mailboxes to be seen on the back roads of America. I have passed dozens of plastic John Deere mailboxes, fish and cow mailboxes, etc., but then there are the really unique ones….

Tin Man Mailbox near Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin

Mailbox for Jurustic Park in Marshfield, Wisconsin

Chainsaw Carved Bear Mailbox, Ontario, Canada

Knot Normal Mailbox - Peebles, Ohio — Knot Normal Mailbox – Peebles, Ohio

Antler Mailbox - Thornton, Idaho — Antler Mailbox – Thornton, Idaho

Chainsaw Mailbox - Medford, Wisconsin — Chainsaw Mailbox – Medford, Wisconsin

Scrap Metal Guy Mailbox - Dunkirk, Montana — Scrap Metal Guy Mailbox – Dunkirk, Montana

TOTALLY JUNKED OUT PLACES

Hamtramck Disneyland - Detroit, Michigan — Hamtramck Disneyland – Detroit, Michigan

Folk art abounds in this country, but there are some who have taken it to excess with knick-knacks, whirly-gigs, old toys, old stuff and more…and all in one place. Some in the name of art and some just to, well, have a place for their stuff. Though I have seen many across the country, here are some of the more outlandish examples (with two or three shots from each place)

Windmills and Whirlygigs at Hamtramck Disneyland in Detroit

Toys on the Roof at Hamtramck Disneyland - Detroit, MI — Toys on the Roof at Hamtramck Disneyland – Detroit, MI

Even a rocking horse on the roof at Hamtramck Disneyland

Moving on to Woodstock, Ontario and Cliff Bruce’s Windmill Hill, another menagerie of the unusual….(see my writeup here)

Bruce Windmill Hill Main Gate - Woodstock, Ontario — Bruce Windmill Hill Main Gate – Woodstock, Ontario

Toys, Statues and Whirlygigs at Windmill Hill

Meander to Lesage, West Virginia and you can enjoy huge hot dogs while perusing the “collection” of things at Hillbilly Hot Dogs (see a slide show I did a few years ago)

Hillbilly Hot Dogs - Lesage, West Virginia — Hillbilly Hot Dogs – Lesage, West Virginia

Hub Cap Collection at Hillbilly Hot Dogs

License Plate Tree at Hillbilly Hot Dogs

Then there is the Flower Man House in Houston, Texas. Built by a man who had been a homeless alcoholic for years, he decided to turn his life around and began putting together his interestingly eccentric colorful house, which sits in an otherwise bland neighborhood.

Flower Man House - Houston, Texas — Flower Man House – Houston, Texas

Cheer for the Flower Man!! - Houston, Texas — Cheer for the Flower Man!! – Houston, Texas

And just around the corner from the Flower Man’s House is another quirky place – the Law Offices of Tim Hootman. His office is in a brightly colored boxcar and has some unique art sitting outside the place. Really funky…

Tim Hootman Law Office - Houston, Texas — Tim Hootman Law Office – Houston, Texas

Office is in a Bright Green Train Car - Jim Hootman — Office is in a Bright Green Train Car – Jim Hootman

This babe greets you at Hootman's Law Office — This babe greets you at Hootman’s Law Office

Unique metal work AND paint job at Tm Hootman's law office in Houston, Texas — Unique metal work AND paint job at Tm Hootman’s law office in Houston, Texas

If these are not quirky enough, how about this place in Lima, Montana…is it a shop, a restaurant, a hotel or just someone’s knick-knack collection? It was closed, so I couldn’t really find out….

"Not the Hotel California" in Lima, Montana — “Not the Hotel California” in Lima, Montana

Stuff in front of the "shop" in Lima, Montana — Stuff in front of the “shop” in Lima, Montana

No Steaks and Burgers at this place in Lima, Montana

If you liked the place in Lima, how about the Junk Store in Buena Vista, Colorado? This place seems to everything (you may not want or need)!!

Darndest Store in Town - Buena Vista, Colorado — Darndest Store in Town – Buena Vista, Colorado

Get Some goodies in Buena Vista, Colorado

I came across this fence in Parker, Idaho… completely made of roadsigns

Sign fence - Parker, Idaho — Sign fence – Parker, Idaho

In the small town of What Cheer, Iowa, a lady has gussied up her yard with old wheels, implements and even has a real “flower bed”!

Wagon Wheel Fence at a house in What Cheer, Iowa

A "Flower Bed" in What Cheer, Iowa — A “Flower Bed” in What Cheer, Iowa

Came across this little “health food store” in Gardner, Colorado, called H Food Store – Huajatollas Foods (see YouTube Video):

H. Food Store - Gardner, Colorado — H. Food Store – Gardner, Colorado

Colorful Huajatolla's Foods in Gardner, Colorado — Colorful Huajatolla’s Foods in Gardner, Colorado

And finally, we discovered a couple of places on a back road in central Kentucky. We took Highway 77 (Nada Tunnel Road) and first came across a barn with a hubcap collection: