5. Seeing the World’s Largest Ball of Twine Will Make you Appreciate Your Hobbies
This is the quintessential roadside pit stop that will generate plenty of envy and facebook likes when you post a pic of it. There are other lofty twine balls out there (yes, really), but the one in Cawker City, KS dates back to 1953 and claims to be the biggest one built by a community. Local resident Frank A. Stoeber spent eight years winding sisal until it was eight feet high. Thereafter, his neighbors have rallied around to keep the dream growing. Each August, they hold a “twine-a-thon” to add more girth to the giant orb. Currently, the ball is over 40 feet in circumference and weighs about 18,000 pounds. If you just can’t get enough of this kind of wonder, check out the original World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Darwin, Minnesota, lovingly built by a single person rolling four hours a day for 29 years.
6. Don’t Miss Da Yooper’s Tourist Trap
This redneck roadside attraction located in Ishpeming, MI is definitely worth a stop to glean some insight into America’s hinterland culture (or lack thereof). A “Yooper” is someone born in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (the U.P.), an area known for its hunting, fishing and beer guzzling. Here’s where you’ll find such innovative must-sees as “Big Gus”, the world’s largest chainsaw and “Big Earnie”, the world’s largest working rifle. There’s a campy deer-hunting camp and a corresponding man-hunting camp on display. Like any decent tourist trap, there are plenty of gag gifts and tchotchke souvenirs at the gift shop.
