2010/04/23 Day Four

Hello those watching from afar,

Day Four was focused on getting to the Boyer Museum in Belleville KS. We had to call ahead and make an appointment due to their limited off season hours. The woman Susan spoke to was very accommodating and friendly; glad to open up for us. 

Along the route before and after the museum we also encountered three "world largest" objects d'interest. There seems to be much competition and quesionable official acknowledgement in regard to record legitimacy

1. Largest Ball of Twine - Cawker City, KS. Big but far from a "ball"; more of a roundish lump. See pics below

2. Largest Porch Swing - Hebron, KS We stopped into Hebron looking for a small town diner for a good ole country meal. The bakery/cafe was marginal but amusing; food rating 3-4. The folks were very friendly. The owner and I were chatting about "Oddasee" and he said "Well shoot..... you must be here to see our famous porch swing!" I told him we did not know of this treasure. After he recovered from shock, he then glowed with civic pride as he told me how to find it; right down the block. See pic below.

3. Largest Covered Wagon - Milford, NE.  Okay.... some stuff is just not impressive. Safe to say some things are just plain lame. The "wagon" was worth the short sidestep off the highway if nothing else for the pathetic laughs and "oh brother" eye rolls. Wagon? Where are the wheels? To add insult to injury, the place is now a golf cart shop.... See pic below; one shot is way more than enough.

Now a few words about Paul Boyer the woodcarver/engineer/inventor/artist:  The museum was small but impressive far beyond it's size. Mr. Boyer had a serious accident when he was around 35 and lost a leg. He was unable to work and after his mother asked him to repair an old toy he had made many years before, the seed was planted and the rest is history. With no art or engineer training, he started creating whimsical automatons. The first ones where simple. Over time they evolved into remarkable design wonders. His humor has a twist and that remains the source of his inspiration today. The attached photos will only serve as a tease because to watch his creations come alive is where the real magic lies. These engineering marvels are an absolute treat to watch. Mr. Boyer is truly gifted man as an artist, craftsman and engineer/inventor. Though 81 and constantly battling with many debilitating illnesses, aches and pains, he is still making new pieces and tries to work some everyday. We got to see close to 60 pieces including "Gassy Gertie that has a repertoire of at least fine "flatulence tunes".

An unexpected part of this incredible morning was our guide, Ann. She is Paul's daughter and she was an absolute delight in every way. She was so welcoming and infectiously cheerful. She beamed with pride as she told tales of her father. It was so refreshing to see someone so enamored by her dad. Wow! It was an integral part of the entire experience.

Once again we had a day far beyond expectations. We loved every minute of the surprises and wonders offered up by our Oddasee.

Love and Wonder,

Rodney and Susan or Susan and Rodney

Large stuff:

1 - 3 Twine

4 - Swing

5 - Covered Wagon

Boyer photos:

1. Museum

2. The ladies playing piano - one plays calmly and in a sophisticated manner while the other is crazy and frenetic with her head spinning around her flailing torso.

3 & 4. The Indian (Native Americans for you pc-ers) is wild and complicated scene. Each character moves differently and at various tempos. Note: in #4 the woman in the back on left plays the drums with her pendulous breasts - sometimes they fall off.

5. These are just remarkable and mesmerizing beauties.

6. This is a group of workers/roofers that is based on a true story from Paul's life. He had five brothers and at one point they had a "home repair" business. This scene moved with various actions and eventually the outhouse door would open to and the woman inside would flip off us viewers.

7. This one is about a horseshoe factory. Look below to see the complicated works that make these characters come alive.

8. A calliope that was playing "Chariots of Fire."