Archive for May, 2011

Quantum Mechanics And Mr. Chicken

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

The next time you hear or read someone dismissing roadside attractions as a waste of brain space, tell them about Mr. Chicken. Mr. Chicken — who happens to be an alligator* — lives at Gatorama in Palmdale, a classic Florida attraction started by the legendary late Cecil Clemens. It’s an unlikely place for anything cerebral, [...]

Watch Gladiators, Flee The Minotaur, Then Buy A Pumpkin

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Chris Gounalakis wants to sell you a pumpkin. He knows how to do it, too. He’ll get you to come to his farm to watch the gladiator battles, or to be chased around its labyrinth by a live minotaur.

Fame! Too Much of it is Killing Fireman Statue

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

In 1970, two young firemen built a statue outside the Central Fire Station in Lafayette, Louisiana. It’s a fireman, stripped to his undershirt, bent over a hose that’s writhing like a giant snake, pointing toward an unseen inferno with a dramatic gesture.

How We Almost Lost Our Atomic Marbles

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

Richland, Washington (Home of “The Bombers”), has never shied from showing pride in its nuclear heritage. But its loyalty was recently tested when the local museum stopped selling “atomic marbles” in its gift shop.

Rt. 66 Bus Arrives To Bewitch The Faithful

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

Route 66 is America’s most loved road. Bob Waldmire was its most loved driver. Does that make Bob’s bus America’s most loved vehicle? It’s a tricky question, since Bob had two buses. Probably one of them is America’s sweetheart, and both are now on display at the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in [...]

Bigfoot, Aliens, Bug Food Thrive In The Peculiarium

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Would you rather eat ice cream that’s been sprinkled with dead bugs, or have a photo of yourself being disemboweled by aliens? At the Peculiarium in Portland, Oregon, you can have both.