http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/ en Copyright 2008 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:41:45 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You're the kind of adventurer who is willing to sometimes go against the grain in order to experience what only a few people ever do. You're due for another one of your brave escapades. Takeru Kobayashi, competetive eater extrordinaire *** Sunday was the biggest hamburger-eating contest of the year: Krystal Square Off V in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I had to work on Saturday in Chicago. So what's a silly American girl to do? Why leave Chicago at midnight and drive through the night, of course! I arrived in Chattanooga around 11am (Eastern), just in time to grab a prime front row, center spot. Way better vantage point than for Nathan's! No Thunder Sticks in the way of my pics this time! (just photographers and videographers and judges...but that's to be expected.) The Marshall Tucker Band kept the crowd entertained (in fact, I think there were a few people who came just to see them and left afterwards) and free Krystals were given out to curb my hunger. Soon enough the contestants arrived to Ross's Landing on their boat and one by one were introduced to the cheering crowd. After they signed a few autographs they were whisked away and the show was about to begin! First up was the amateur contest: teams of two took the stage to try to eat 12 Krystal burgers in the shortest amount of time. Ben and Brittany Griffith won the contest by eating 12 burgers the fastest...actually I think HE alone ate about 11 and a half or so of them in 12 minutes... Badlands Booker a competetive eater/rapper came out and performed a few of his awesome songs and then, again, the contestants were all introduced, this time taking the stage for the broadcast. Cups were set up, filled with water or Kool-Aid or whatever liquid an eater decided they wanted to work with and to dunk their buns in. Pat Bertoletti, my favorite eater (he's a Chicagoan, I'm biased), always uses red juice of some sort that dyes his hands blood red as he eats. Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut took center spots. Chestnut won last year, breaking the 100 barrier by eating 103. Kobayashi was the previous champion but a jaw injury that year had kept him away. The same jaw injury was blamed for his loss earlier in the year to Chestnut in hot dogs when Chestnut beat him for the first time. Since then he has lost to both Pat and Joey in chicken wings and to six others when he cut out of a turkey-eating contest mid bite due to the recurring injury. From that first time Chestnut did the unthinkable by taking Kobayashi down it seems like every contest is marked by the question, will this be Kobayashi's comeback? Just a week earlier he ate 89 Krystals, a record number amongst qualifiers. To top that off, last year, Humble Bob Shoudt edged out Pat securing a second-place victory. This year, it could be anybody's game. The countdown counted down and the clock started and mushed meat and bread made its way from box to mouth to stomach. It was hard to keep track of who was winning. Pat and Joey and Koby and Tim and Bob were all eating strong. Each one seeming to edge out or be close to edging out the competition. Slowly but surely Joey's rate increased and he took a lead, Pat and Kobayashi were close behind though and while it was clear who won when the clock went from one second to zero, second place wasn't so clear. Behind Kobayashi the counter board displayed 86. Behind Joey 94. And behind Pat 86. Judges conferred, debris was examined, deductions were applied and everyone waited patiently for the results to be announced. And George Shea took the stage to announce the results. In third place: Takeru Kobayashi with 84 Krystals. In second place: Patrick Bertoletti with 85 Krystals. And in first place: Joey Chestnut with 93 Krystals! The contest was AMAZING, those boys (and girls!) really know how to eat! And by eat I mean shovel food into their mouths. But what was the best part? I finally got to meet my hero, Takeru Kobayashi! ]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/09/krystal-square-off-v.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/09/krystal-square-off-v.html Competitive Eating Chattanooga Competitive Eating Tennessee Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:41:45 -0600 Standing at about 10-feet tall this ear of corn slowly rotates as an American flies above it. Talk about genetically modified vegetables! And in case you don't believe me, here's a video of it rotating! Site: Large Rotating Ear of Corn Location: Hwy 141, Coon Rapids, IA Cost: Free to see. Hours: Always visible. Date: September 1, 2008]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/09/large-rotating-ear-of-corn.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/09/large-rotating-ear-of-corn.html Iowa Coon Rapids Iowa vegetable Welcome Sign Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:10:35 -0600 Notice something missing? The photo has Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson, but Teddy Roosevelt is just framed out. I'm not sure when the photo was taken but it had to have been somewhere between 1934 and 1939, when Roosevelt was dedicated. I'd never seen the monument in person, so, as I happened to have a four-day weekend over Labor Day I decided that it was the perfect time to pack up my car and head on over to South Dakota. By Saturday afternoon we were standing in front of the carved Black-Hills Mountain and four complete presidential faces. While there, I also went to see Crazy Horse, which is another monument that's been in the works for 50 years and still has 50 years to go. Who knows, maybe someday my grandkids will find this photo and be inspired to take off on a road trip of their own. I'll be back with a more thorough recap and tons of pics of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and all the silly sites I stopped at on the way!]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/09/back-from-the-road.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/09/back-from-the-road.html Flash Back South Dakota Crazy Horse flash back Mount Rushmore South Dakota Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:37:44 -0600 Mount Rushmore and back! Can you believe I have never before seen four giant presidents carved into the side of a rock live and in person ever before? It's a dream trip for your silly American adventurer! AND there will be sure to be plenty of roadside attractions to see along the way. HOPEFULLY including:
View Larger Map Catch you on the flip with plenty of photos from Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa!]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/08/four-days-five-states-2500-mil.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/08/four-days-five-states-2500-mil.html Road Trip Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:21:11 -0600 Moooo... or should I say MOOOO! I drove through Rockford, Illinois, yesterday and tracked down this big bovine. The giant cow looks over the children's farm at Lockwood Park. "Gertrude" the cow is fawn/brown with white spots and measures about 21 feet long and 19 feet high. Site: "Gertrude" the cow Location: Lockwood Park Trailside Equestrian Centre and Children's Farm, 5201 Safford Rd., Rockford IL 61101 Cost: Free to see. Hours: The park is open dawn until dusk, year-round. Date: June 7, 2008]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/06/gertrude-the-cow-1.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/06/gertrude-the-cow-1.html Illinois cow Illinois Rockford Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:19:36 -0600 ]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/05/the-spindle-gone.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/05/the-spindle-gone.html Illinois Berwyn cars gone Illinois Spindle Mon, 05 May 2008 20:49:41 -0600 The Spindle aka cars on a stick aka car kabob will soon be torn down. Created in 1989 by Dustin Shuler, the Spindle has graced Cermak Plaza in Berwyn, IL for almost as long as I've been alive. The sculpture towers above the parked cars in the lot, showcasing vehicles from the late 60s to early 80s impaled on a 50-foot spike. To me, it's best known as being my first real glimpse of roadside oddities, to others it is probably best known for its cameo in the Wayne's World film. Unfortunately, the years (and birds) haven't been kind to the sculpture, which has been plagues with rust (and feces) for years. Now, the Spindle has a problem that no mechanic can fix: Walgreens. Yes, my silly American friends, Berwyn now plans to tear down the iconic kabob to put up a brand new Walgreens. Plans have been in place for a while now, and despite efforts of multiple organizations to save it (it's been estimated that it will take $300,000 to move it), it looks like the Spindles fate is futile. Alas, in what seems like a last-ditch effort, the Spindle is up on eBay. While I'd hate to see it go from my backyard of Berwyn, it would be nice to think that the cars have found a proper home amongst the roadside attractions of America. So...if you have an extra $150,000 to spare... , bid on! Site: The Spindle Location: Cermak Plaza, Cermak and Harlem, Berwyn, IL Admission: Free to see...$150,000+ to purchase Date: August 12, 2007]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/04/berwyn-spindle-for-sale-own-th.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/04/berwyn-spindle-for-sale-own-th.html Illinois Berwyn cars Illinois sculpture Spindle Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:52:37 -0600 Site: Smiley Face Water Tower Location: Atlanta, Illinois Cost: Free to see. Hours: Always visible. Date: July 15, 2007]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/04/smiley-face-water-tower.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/04/smiley-face-water-tower.html Illinois Atlanta Illinois water tower Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:51:28 -0600 Wildlife Habitat. The garden is full of foliage imported from around the world and houses over 300 types of birds. Until recently one of the birds was the penguin, but they have been relocated to the Dallas Zoo. Now its the Flamingos themselves who truly steal the show at the Wildlife Habitat. And that's probably a good thing because they are the headliners. Site: Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Location: Flamingo Hotel, 3555 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109 Cost: Free Hours: Open daily, 24 hours Date: March 22, 2004; August 9, 2005]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/03/wildlife-habitat-at-the-flamin.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/03/wildlife-habitat-at-the-flamin.html Las Vegas Nevada birds Flamingo (Vegas) flamingos Las Vegas Nevada Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:49:32 -0600 And they were off, within seconds pepper upon pepper (and plenty of milk) were being consumed... And after a couple of minutes a couple of them totally looked like they were going to have a reversal of fortune (or at least like they had rabies). And then after six-and-a-half minutes of the eight minute competition...THEY RAN OUT OF PEPPERS!!!! THEY RAN OUT OF PEPPERS!!!!! So...they had to cut the contest short. Which is CRAZY because as in any competition there is strategy, and to change the rules in the middle kind of muck things up. But anyways... I waited and waited with anticipation as the number of peppers consumed by each contestant was tallied up. And then...the winners were announced for the truncated six and a half minute competition (It was supposed to be eight)... In Fourth Place: Hall "The Hoover" Hunt (110): In Third Place: Rich "The Locust" LeFevre (120): In Second Place: Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas (141): And... In First Place... Chicago's own PAT BERTOLETTI!!!! (191) Who is now, officially, the jalapeño-eating champion of the world!!! Stay tuned for more MLE (Major League Eating) coverage as the months go by. There are already a couple I'm planning on going to and I'll be sure to recap all the silly eating adventures! Event: La Costeña "Feel the Heat" Jalapeño Eating Challenge Location: Plaza Garibaldi, 2600 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608 Date: Sunday, September 16, 2007]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/03/la-costena-feel-the-heat-jalap.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/03/la-costena-feel-the-heat-jalap.html Competitive Eating Chicago Competitive Eating Illinois Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:03:17 -0600 A Giant Rooster outside of Carl's Bakery in East Peoria, Illinois. Site: Giant Rooster Location: Carl's Bakery and Restaurant, 819 E Camp St, East Peoria, IL 61611 Cost: Free to see. Hours: Always visible. Date: July 15, 2007]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/03/giant-rooster.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/03/giant-rooster.html Illinois animal East Peoria Illinois rooster Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:23:22 -0600 Lincoln Watermelon Monument. Yes, my silly American friends, it is a pink and green slice of watermelon dedicated to our sixteenth president and the christening of Lincoln, Illinois. That's it. As the story goes, on August 27, 1853 the first sale of lots in the new town of Lincoln took place near where the watermelon monument now stands. Abraham Lincoln, in whose honor the town had been named, was present and was asked to officially christen the town. He chose a watermelon from a nearby pile, cut into it with his pocketknife, and then bumped it on a pile of lumber. He squeezed the juice into a tin cup, gave a brief speech, and christened the town. In celebration of that fateful day, the town constructed this monument in the shape of a slice of watermelon. Definitely one of the weirdest sites I've seen and it certainly would be the highlight of any road trip through Illinois. Just remember, as yummy as it looks, try not to lick it. Your Silly American Adventurer after accidentally licking the watermelon. Site: Lincoln Watermelon Monument Location: Broadway and Chicago, Lincoln, IL Cost: Free to see. Hours: Always visible. Date: July 15, 2007]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/02/lincoln-watermelon-monument.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/02/lincoln-watermelon-monument.html Illinois fruit Illinois Lincoln Lincoln (town) watermelon Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:37:22 -0600 Happy President's Day Silly Americans! In honor of President's Day I bring you one of the more somber of our sites: Abraham Lincoln's Tomb. Now, I know you may be thinking, "what's so silly about a tomb?" Well...in front of the beautifully designed granite tomb is a bronze statue of Lincoln's head, a reproduction of Gutzon Borglum's marble bust located in Washington, D.C. And now, you might ask, "what's so silly about a statue of Lincoln's head?" Well...the statue itself isn't "silly" per se, but the ritual it inspires may be. The bust of Lincoln sports a nose that's just dying to be rubbed for luck, and thousands of visitors each year do. I most certainly did, and you can tell from the faded bronze schnoz that I'm not alone. I'm sure Lincoln isn't rolling in that grave at the fact that so many people touch his lucky nose...but, if you try to pick it, that may be another story. Site: Abraham Lincoln's Lucky Nose Location: Lincoln Tomb, Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1500 Monument Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702 Cost: Free to see. Hours: Open 7 days a week: March–October/9am–5pm; June–August/Tuesdays 7pm–8pm; November–February/9am–4pm (Closed New Year's Day and day after; Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday; President's Day; General Election Day; Veterans' Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day and day after.) Date: July 15, 2007]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/02/lincolns-lucky-nose.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/02/lincolns-lucky-nose.html Illinois Illinois Lincoln lucky rub Springfield statue tomb Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:37:35 -0600 Happy Birthday Abe! Now I bring you Abraham Lincoln if he had been a hippie. OK, not really, but I at least think he looks kind of like a hippie here... This is "The Railsplitter," a 30-foot tall ax-wielding fiberglass statue of a young Abraham Lincoln stands tall at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. It was created in 1968 by Springfield's own Carl W. Rinnus, for Illinois's sesquicentennial. Site: "The Railsplitter" - statue of Abraham Lincoln Location: Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62794 Cost: Free to see. Hours: Open when the grounds are open. Date: July 15, 2007]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/02/abraham-lincoln-the-railsplitt.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/02/abraham-lincoln-the-railsplitt.html Illinois Illinois Lincoln Springfield statue Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:39:35 -0600 The Railsplitter Covered Wagon that he sits on is the The World's Largest Covered Wagon. The 40-foot long, 12-foot wide, 24-foot tall wagon Weighs five tons, the wagon is officially recognized as being the largest by the Guinness Book of World Records. Site: Abraham Lincoln on the World's Largest Covered Wagon Location: J & S Auto Centre/Penache Boutique (1006 Woodlawn Road) on the corner of Woodlawn and Route 66, Lincoln, IL Cost: Free to see. Hours: Visible at all hours. Date: July 15, 2007]]> http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/02/lincoln-on-the-worlds-largest.html http://www.sillyamerica.com/blog/2008/02/lincoln-on-the-worlds-largest.html Illinois Illinois Lincoln Lincoln (town) Wagon World's Largest Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:35:58 -0600