Dolphin Research Center

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Betsy The Lobster

Uniroyal Giant Tire

We didn’t stop. We didn’t need to.

The Uniroyal Giant Tire announced itself long before we could decide. Towering over the shoulder of I-94 like some industrial Stonehenge, it caught us mid-conversation and held us in its gravitational pull for the length of an exit ramp. There it was: an 80-foot tall tire just sitting there, as if it had rolled off a god-sized Buick and decided to retire near Detroit.

No signs pointed to it. No museum. No welcome center. Just a tire in a field, lording over traffic.

We passed it in silence at first. Then came the inevitable:

“Was that a tire?”

“I think so.”

“It’s huge.”

“Why is it there?”

That last question lingered longer than it should have. Not because we didn’t know the answer—I’d read about it once, years ago. Built for the 1964 World’s Fair, once a Ferris wheel, now a roadside relic. Moved here in pieces and reassembled like some rubbery obelisk to mid-century ambition. But the why behind it still gnawed. Why a tire? Why keep it? Why here?

Maybe because Detroit understands the weight of wheels. This is, after all, the Motor City. The place where rubber met road, where assembly lines turned ambition into acceleration. The Uniroyal Tire isn’t just marketing—it’s myth. A monument not to war heroes or presidents, but to transportation. To motion itself.

But seeing it from the road—just seeing it—is enough. That’s what makes it work. It doesn’t ask you to engage or learn or pay admission. It just appears, massive and inexplicable, like a roadside koan. You drive by, and your brain short-circuits for a moment. That’s not supposed to be there. But it is.

We didn’t stop. But for the rest of the drive, we talked about it. The tire. The World’s Fair. What other ridiculous things have been built just because someone could? The Uniroyal Giant Tire had done its job. Not just advertising. Wonder. Even now, decades past its prime, it makes people look twice. Makes them ask questions. Makes them feel small in a world built large.

The Cross at the Crossroads

Dear journal, 

So begins this summer’s road trip. We hadn’t planned on leaving until next week, but the calendar betrayed us—turns out a lot of what we wanted to see is closed on Mondays. Rather than sit around waiting for the week to roll over, we shrugged, packed the car, and hit the highway. It wasn’t a grand departure—no send-off, no playlist perfectly timed to the first hundred miles. Just two brothers, a bag of snacks, and a growing suspicion that spontaneity might be the better itinerary anyway.

First stop: Effingham.

Now, Effingham isn’t exactly a bucket-list destination, but it does have a claim to fame that’s hard to miss: the Cross at the Crossroads—a 198-foot-tall steel cross rising from the flat Illinois prairie like God’s own billboard. It’s impossible to miss and even harder not to gawk at. The surrounding plaza features the Ten Commandments and the Stations of the Cross, just steps from where semis idle and soda fountains hum.

Local boosters proudly declare it the largest cross in America, though that’s only mostly true. The one in St. Augustine, Florida edges it out by ten feet—but who’s counting? (Besides Florida, obviously.) And let’s not forget Groom, Texas, where their 190-foot cross once held the title and still holds a grudge. It’s a spiritual arms race out here in the heartland, and Effingham’s not backing down.

Dubious or not, the Cross at the Crossroads fits right into my favorite genre: roadside Americana—that special blend of sincerity, spectacle, and subtle absurdity that makes you pull over and say, “Well, would you look at that.”

Tomorrow, we cross into Canada. After that? Who knows. We’ve got a list, sure, but it’s flexible. The road has its own ideas.

Always, 

Dave 

McGinn's PistachioLand

There’s a peculiar joy in chasing the absurd, and nothing quite says “weird Americana” like the world’s largest pistachio.

We arrived after hours, the desert light fading fast, the shop long since closed, but there it was—standing in stubborn, glossy green defiance of good taste and reason. A 30-foot-tall pistachio, lit by floodlight, presiding over a roadside empire of nuts and novelty. It looked like something a surrealist might dream up after too much trail mix and not enough water.

A night watchman, clearly accustomed to this kind of pilgrimage, waved us over with a smile that said, Yeah, I get it. He let us snap our pictures. We obliged the moment with exaggerated poses—me saluting the pistachio like it was a general, my brother pretending to scale it like Everest. The desert was quiet otherwise, save for the distant hum of traffic and the rustle of a breeze that carried the smell of warm asphalt and sage.

On the drive to our hotel, headlights cutting through the dark, my brother pulled up the PistachioLand website. In a kind of late-night, neon-fueled e-commerce frenzy, he ordered every item we’d have grabbed had the store been open—honey-roasted, chili-lime, brittle, even pistachio wine, which sounds like a prank but is apparently very real. He said it was only right to pay tribute.

There’s something beautifully silly about the whole experience. The oversized pistachio wasn’t just a photo op. It was a reminder that the road has its own strange poetry. Not everything worth stopping for is on the official map, and not everything that matters happens when the lights are on. Some things—like a giant nut in the middle of the New Mexico night—just exist to make you smile, shake your head, and say, Yeah, I’m glad we didn’t miss that.

World's Largest Pistachio

World's Largest Daisy BB Gun

Rawlings Experience in St. Louis

The Rawlings Experience in St. Louis felt like stepping into a baseball fever dream — one of those unexpected detours that leaves you unsure whether you’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem or a marketing oddity. Out front, a massive baseball greeted me, as if to say, Yes, you’re in the right place — and yes, this is going to be a little weird.

Inside, an oversized Golden Glove stood like a throne — absurdly large, yet somehow just right for a place like this. Behind it, racks of gloves were arranged with the precision of a dugout lineup. But it was the trophy case that caught my eye — filled with real Gold Glove trophies, including ones dedicated to Seth Lugo and Bobby Witt, Jr. I never expected to be this close to such coveted awards. Each trophy gleamed like a chalice, a reminder that defense may not always make the highlight reel, but it’s often what wins games.

In a side room, a series of displays honored some of the greatest defensive players in baseball history — Ozzie Smith, Ken Griffey, Jr., Willie Mays — names that evoke circus catches and impossible dives. Each player's story was a reminder that fielding isn’t just about reflexes; it’s an art form, one of precision and instinct.

Upstairs, the batting cages hummed with the familiar thwack of ball meeting bat. Next to them, a room dedicated to crafting custom baseball gloves. The thought of tailoring a glove to fit your hand perfectly felt almost luxurious — an oddly intimate relationship between player and equipment, like a swordsman forging a blade to match their grip.

Walking back outside, I found myself wondering why this place even exists. Was this a museum, a store, or an oversized shrine to leather and laces? I never quite figured it out — but I left grateful that someone, somewhere, decided to build this strange baseball cathedral. It’s the kind of place you don’t plan to visit, yet somehow feel better for having seen. 

World's Largest Chess Piece

Big Things in a Small Town

I have always maintained that a road trip is not complete without a detour to something wonderfully bizarre. My brother and I found just that in Casey, Illinois, a charming little town that has taken “thinking big” to an entirely new level. Casey is home to an astonishing number of the world’s largest things, holding multiple Guinness World Records while also boasting a collection of merely very large objects.

Naturally, we took it upon ourselves to hunt down as many as possible. Some were official record holders, others just oversized oddities, but all of them contributed to Casey’s identity as the undisputed capital of unnecessarily large objects.

Guinness World Record Holders: The Official Giants

Casey has been recognized by Guinness for several world’s largest items, and seeing them up close makes you appreciate the sheer scale of what “largest” truly means. Here are the certified champions:

1. World’s Largest Wind Chime

Standing at 55 feet tall, this wind chime was completed in 2012. It sways gently in the breeze, though a determined visitor might be tempted to climb a ladder and give it a push.

2. World’s Largest Golf Tee

Located at the Casey Country Club, this tee measures over 30 feet in height and was completed in 2013. I can only assume it was built for a golfer with arms the size of tree trunks.

3. World’s Largest Rocking Chair

This 56-foot-tall chair was completed in 2015 and looks as though it was stolen from the front porch of a very, very large grandma.

4. World’s Largest Wooden Shoes

These 11.5-foot-long clogs were completed in 2015. I imagine the world’s largest Dutchman must be wandering around barefoot somewhere.

5. World’s Largest Pitchfork

Measuring 60 feet in length, this pitchfork was completed in 2015 and could easily take on a hay bale the size of a house.

6. World’s Largest Mailbox

Standing at 32 feet tall, this fully functional mailbox was completed in 2015. You can actually climb inside and mail a letter, which means I am now considering sending my next utility bill from atop this behemoth.

7. World’s Largest Key

This 20-foot-long key was completed in 2019, though I didn’t see a lock to match. Maybe it’s for the World’s Largest Diary?

8. World’s Largest Gavel

Located in nearby Marshall, Illinois, this 16-foot-long gavel was completed in 2019. Justice has never looked more intimidating.

9. World’s Largest Swizzle Spoon

Measuring 11 feet, 8 inches, this spoon was completed in 2019. I would love to see the cocktail that required a stirring utensil of this magnitude.

10. World’s Largest Golf Driver

At 45 feet long, this club was completed in 2019. Unfortunately, the world’s largest sand trap is probably waiting nearby.

11. World’s Largest Barbershop Pole

This 14-foot-tall spinning pole was completed in 2019, which makes me wonder how big the barber must be.

12. World’s Largest Teeter-Totter

The 82-foot-long teeter-totter was completed in 2019 and is actually rideable. Just make sure you’re prepared for a very long drop.

The Merely “Very Large” Attractions

Not everything in Casey holds a Guinness record, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t impressive. Here are some of the “just because we could” jumbo items scattered around town:

Oversized Everyday Objects:

Big Pencil – At 32 feet long, perfect for writing a resignation letter that really makes an impact.

Big Yardstick – Ideal for measuring ambition.

Big Bookworm and Nail Puzzle – A literary giant’s dream.

Agricultural & Rustic Wonders:

Big Pitchfork & Horseshoe – A farmer’s dream tools.

Big Cactus & Ear of Corn – A nod to Casey’s Midwestern roots.

Playful Oddities:

Big Mousetrap – If you see a mouse big enough to require this, leave Casey immediately.

Big Rocking Horse – Probably the only toy horse that could hold an adult and a week’s worth of regret.

Big Birdcage – Step inside for a “trapped tourist” photo-op.

Pop Culture & Fun Additions:

Big Pokéball – In case a legendary Pokémon appears in Casey.

Big Minion – Because everything is better with a giant Minion.

Big Taco – Sadly, not edible, but still deeply appreciated.

Big Wooden Token and Piggy Bank – Perfect for those who still believe in saving loose change.

Final Thoughts: A Town That’s Thinking Big

Casey, Illinois, is a testament to the idea that if you’re going to build something, why not build it absurdly large? It’s a place where practicality takes a backseat to creativity, and where something as simple as a mailbox can become a full-fledged tourist attraction.

Beyond the novelty, I found Casey itself to be utterly charming. The people were warm and welcoming, and there was something undeniably joyful about wandering around town, spotting yet another comically oversized object around each corner.

If you ever find yourself traveling through Illinois, make the stop. Whether you’re a fan of roadside oddities, Guinness World Records, or just want to sit in a rocking chair built for a literal giant, you won’t regret visiting Casey.

And who knows? Maybe next time, I’ll mail myself home from that very large mailbox. 

Former World's Largest Spur

World's Largest Belt Buckle