Friday, September 13, 2013

In praise of oddball attractions



Let's take a moment to consider what you probably didn't see on your summer vacation.

Fodor's has released a list of "20 Oddball Roadside Attractions in the U.S." -- it's at http://bit.ly/1bEicEk
-- and the compilation is interesting in several respects:

1. Two of the places are in North Carolina.

2. Weirdness is in the eye of the beholder.

2. Over the years I've actually see several of these site, including the gigantic, walk-in muskie that holds the fishing hall of fame in Hayward, Wis. An image from the hall is below. Tourist photos are better because they usually show someone's Aunt Gertie waving from the the balcony that doubles as the muskie's lower jaw.



Here's the full list:

Carhenge, Alliance, Neb.
Fields of the Wood Bible Park, Murphy
Beer Can House, Houston
Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, Wilson
Insectropolis, Toms River, N.J.
Leila's Hair Museum, Independence, Mo.
Leaning Tower of Niles, Niles, Ill.
World's Biggest Bat, Louisville, Ky.
World's Largest Buffalo, Jamestown, N.D.
World's Smallest Church, Oneida, N.Y.
Home of Superman, Metropolis, Ill.
Ben & Jerry's Flavor Graveyard, Waterbury, Conn.
Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, Hayward, Wis.
London Bridge, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Shoe House, Hellam, Pa.
Coral Castle, Homestead, Fla.
Mitchell Corn Palace, Mitchell, S.D.
SPAM Museum, Austin, Minn.
Fake Prado Store, Marfa, Texas
International UFO Museum & Research Center, Roswell, N.M.

3. There are many  things in this country that are much more odd.

Especially in the Carolinas.

I'm sure you have an idea of where some of those places may be. Email your picks to me at jbordsen@charlotteobserver.com - maybe we can make a story out of your suggestions