White Post, Virginia: Dinosaur Land

Dinosaurland - now called "Dinosaurland Inc." - has repainted all its animals (with variable results; for example, while the giant Octopus looks better than ever, the giant shark looks like it's been tagged by a street gang). By the way, when visiting Dinosaurland, be sure to visit Mr. B's BBQ, just north of Dinosaurland on 340.)

I visited Dinosaur Land with my father recently, who first took me there in 1972. In the 30 years since I last visited the attraction, I can honestly say not much has changed, at least that I remember. The two big dinosaurs out front are still there with plenty of guardrail protecting their legs.

A brief chat with the lady that runs the cash register provided some updates: King Kong has his airplane back in his right hand after it was stolen some time ago by vandals. And a retired man "a couple towns over" has been repairing the dinos and will be building new dinos for the park in the very near future - two are nearly complete!

I paid the $5 to check out the back lot and I'm glad I did. The dinos, for the most part, look great. The trail was a bit muddy after recent rains, but I think it added a touch of reality.

We just went to Dinosaur Land in White Post, VA. The photo-op room is now locked up and you can only go in if you rent the now dinosaur-muraled walls for a BIRTHDAY PARTY. Lame. I was really looking forward to a shot with that Frankenstein thing. . . They still should win the best postcard in America contest.

Dinosaur Land changed my life. The Primitive Woman, is, in fact, anatomically correct under her seductive faux-fur drape. The interpretive booklet in the giftstore features commentary on male-female relations, i.e. in the description of the praying mantis it tells how the male will be eaten by the female after mating and then says something like, "what an awful thing for a man to look forward to!" It also notes that the clothes of Primitive Man & Woman are worn for warmth and durability, not for looks. Just in case anyone was wondering...