Category Oddities

Arch Rock

Arch Rock is the de facto tourist stop on Mackinac Island. Rising 146 feet above the shoreline, the natural limestone arch forms a particularly noteworthy appendage to Mackinac Island's bluffs. It has been a place of myth and legend to local tribes and a popular stop for early tourists. Indeed, the arch was a deciding factor in establishing Mackinac National Park back in 1975.*

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Monarchs In Minnesota

There are monarch butterflies in Minnesota. To locals, this is no surprise. But to me, I was impressed. Monarchs can travel up to 3000 miles to their winter grounds in Mexico. These are the only butterflies to travel such great distances. And yet, in the summer, many return to Minnesota, where they were born.

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Bear Country USA

No, we cannot get enough of bears. Sure, we saw a couple back in Glacier, but when we were driving through the Black Hills of South Dakota and saw a sign for Bear Country USA, there was little question what we were doing next.

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Wall Drug

Wall Drug is the consummate tourist trap. If you have come within 100 miles of this massive commercial compound, you have likely seen one of their signature signs advertising their homemade pie, dinosaurs, coffee, donuts, buffet, and the general need to stop in Wall, South Dakota.

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Nevada City Music Hall

Intricate craftsmanship on display at the Nevada City Music Hall

Not to be outdone by its neighbor, Virginia City, Nevada City has its own oddity: a collection of music machines. Player pianos to full blown orchestras are on display and some remain accessible to any loose change that you may wish to pop into their mechanized bellies.

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