by Ian Farquharson

Created on: July 22, 2010

Many people like to spend their vacation traveling the highways and byways of the USA and this can be a fantastic way to see the country close up. There is nothing like getting out on the open road in an RV, truck or car and finding some great towns and attractions along the way to spend some time and get a glimpse of small town America. Over the years many attractions have grown up at road side locations and these range from the straightforward to the fun, curious and downright strange. Some of the strangest road side attractions that can be viewed on a motoring trip of the US include the following.

Uniroyal Giant Tire

This is located at the Uniroyal Tire sales office, next to I-94 in Michigan. It is basically a 14 storey high replica of a Uniroyal tire and has stood in place for almost 50 years. It has an interesting history and actually started life as a giant Ferris wheel at the New York World Fair in 1964/65. It was capable of carrying 96 people at a time and was one of the major attractions at the event. After the world fair ended it was relocated to its present site next to I-94 and over the years has undergone a few renovations. The last of these was in 2003 when almost $1 million was spent on structural and cosmetic works to improve the look of the giant tire. It will therefore be a feature to see for those travelling on the highway for many years to come.

Worlds Largest Ball of Twine

There are actually two contenders for this. In Darwin, Minnesota stands a ball of twine created by Francis A. Johnson. Why he started it in 1950 no one is sure but over the years it grew and it grew until, by the time Johnson died it was 12 feet wide and weighed almost 9 tons. This ball of twine lays claim to being the largest in the world created by one man. There is another one in Cawker City, which is even bigger. Although originally started by one man, Frank Stoeber this has gone on to become a community project and twine is still added to this day. So as you travel around you have a couple of options to view huge twine balls if the inclination takes you.

The World’s Largest Bull

Albert the bull is located next the road running through the town of Audubon in Iowa. At around 30 feet tall and 33 feet long he is reputed to be anatomically correct with all the bits that a real bull has. He has been sitting roadside in Audubon for almost 50 years now and made from concrete and weighing in at an impressive 45 tons he will not be going anywhere soon. He will guard

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