As mentioned, we need a bit of time off and our quest for temporary sanctuary continues.
However, that does not mean we have gone catatonic. Wherever we travel, we seek out the unusual, quirky and well, odd. So on our drive when we came upon old Route 66 we knew there were bound to be some interesting things to see.
In just such a happenstance, we went to visit "The Wheels 'O Time" museum outside of Peoria, Illinois. This was not the most astounding car transportation museum we have seen but it certainly was eclectic. As the story goes, two guys with a car collection were seeking (truth is their wives had grown tired of their collections infringing on the home-fronts) a shared space. This led to them opening their new found warehouse to other collectors; over 20 of them to be exact. Well the end result is this roadside display of their impressive "toys". In addition to the autos, train engines/cars, fire engines, bicycles, wagons there are vignettes of old kitchens, doctors offices and a radio station. Very entertaining and mellow.
Then we set off to beat the rumored thunderstorms to one of the quirkiest (remember we have seen the Cockroach Hall of Fame, a hair museum, torture museum and Mr. Ed's Elephants, so we know quirky) sites we have on our list. The name alone is worthy of special interest -- "Henry's Route 66 Rabbit Ranch". What the heck does THAT mean? Well once again after overcoming very poor internet directions, we found our quarry..... in a rather underwhelming field of stuff we knew we had arrived when we saw the VW Rabbit homage to Cadillac Ranch. There were old Route 66 signs, rusty gas pumps, trucks and little hints of "rabbit stuff". The semi-trucks from the Campbell Express Trucking Co. and their camel (Susan was pleased) logo, got our attention. Not until we got to the east side of the small building (presumably an old Rt 66 filling station) we came upon the giant rabbit. Hmm, made us wonder if F.A.S.T. molds had been in town. It only got more noteworthy when we noticed that alongside the mega bunny was what appeared to be a pet cemetery and likely those of the lapine variety. This was a sign of things to come...... inside we met "Henry".
In addition to the expected tourist trap crap, the purveyor and his harem of rabbits friends were the real attraction. There were only a few of the living critters available for petting and viewing but there were many photos of others rabbits of note. Henry talked about many things Route 66 but everything seemed to lead back to the warren of furry creatures. This man is an insurance agent and motor vehicle title registrar by day but his heart lies in bunny matching. He referred to the pairs as soul mates. It was touching, odd and a bit creepy. Another unique person to add to our library of living fictional characters.
That's it for a couple of days. Hardly in the league of Dr. Evermor's Forevertron or the Mutter Museum but still fodder for our Oddasee spirits.
Soul mates that have willingly fallen down the rabbit hole,
Rodney Rabbit and Bunny Susan
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