A few short minutes from Springfield’s main tourist spot, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, is the giant fork. I decided it was visit worthy, especially since husband and I were going that way to see a movie at the cheap theater anyhow.
Now this mega utensil is off the well-trodden path for sure. Hidden behind Noble, the advertising firm that owns it, the fork is barely visible from the main street in Chesterfield Village, a planned residential and shopping district. Since we had arrived early for the movie, I yelled to my driver, “Turn around. It’s behind that building.”
And that dear gentle reader explains the photo of Springfield, Missouri’s giant fork. Husband’s photo looked prettier than mine. He’s awfully indulgent of me, isn’t he?
As if this wasn’t enough about the fork, I will tell you that apparently the fork was once located at a nearby restaurant, and I guess Noble bought it when the restaurant went belly (couldn’t help it) up. They have a lot of clients in the food industry. Makes sense.
Well, anyway, tweren’t a sole around except us. Saturday afternoon in Springfield, Missouri. Not bad.
18 comments:
Couldn't help but laugh. The Giant fork is almost as funny as the title of your post.
good one sheila, too funny. In Gainesville Ga there is a column about 25 feet tall and perched on top is a bronze chicken, chicken business is big in that area.
check it out, it looks like your fork
http://www.frbatlanta.org/invoke.cfm?objectid=423835D6-5056-9F06-99E55241062B0DA9&method=display
PD Warrior,
Thanks. I don't know if this "giant" fascination is uniquely American or not. I'd be interested to hear from readers outside the States.
Sarge,
That link took me to the Federal Reserve Bank and I took it upon myself to consult Roadside America to find the chicken you mentioned. This link is
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.
php?Tip_AttractionNo==3124
and I hope this works. Really though, they need a bigger chicken. This critter is lost up there on the column. In case the folks in Gainesville want to rethink the chicken monument, I'm available for as a design consultant.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php?Tip_AttractionNo==3124
That link has got to be all on one line. This is too much trouble for that dang chicken statue. Anyway, lots of people seem to be interested in big and Roadside America is the best guide to offbeat tourist oddities. Check it out before your next roadtrip and see what's along your route.
On the New Jersey seacoast there's Lucy the Elephant. A significant number of giant buildings or attention-getters are in that neck of woods.
By the way, I'm surprised at the number of people in Alabama who don't realize that NJ has a seacoast.
Fewer still realize that the state stretches from north of New York City to below Baltimore.
This made me laugh this morning, thank you, Sheila!
Your husband's whole body image seems to yell...Gimme a break! lol Indulgent is right.
There's nothing like your sense of humour for me!
ha, ha, ha. You made my day.
This post made me smile. That's a big fork Sheila! It's certainly eye catching that's for sure!
Sheila- Hey there! I had never heard of the giant fork! Pretty nifty! What a cutey patootie husband you have! Take care friend! Have a great week ahead!
Jay,
I had never heard of Lucy the Elephant, but I googled her and this is a "giant" site worth a visit if I'm ever up that way. Heck, it's even a National Historic Landmark. I read that the structure is made of wood and tin and was the project of a developer back in the late 1800s.
I'm not sure it's just Alabamians who don't know much about geography.
Marion,
I looked at the photo again and you are right. Tolerate me, he does.
Marsha and Naomi,
Thanks. If I can make someone smile, that's okayie-dokie with me.
Barrett,
You have a great week too. I guess a lot of Missourians don't know about the fork either. A hidden treasure for sure.
I've been inside Lucy the Elephant, and lived to tell it!
It's a very interesting structure. It's amazing that it has withstood hurricanes for over a century.
Gotta say, I love it!. Now if we could only see a steak to go along with it. Definitely Paul Bunyon size, eh.
8-)
Also wanted to thank you for commenting on my tribute post to Joseph Vincent Vigiano. I hope the lack of a 2,996 campaign doesn't negate the effort to remember the fallen heroes.
Sheila,
I love the photo. Your husband is the best. Almost as good as the Ol' Man, although I wouldn't tell the Ol' Man that.
You're having too much fun. That's what it's all about, though, huh? You go, girlfriend!
BFF,
Miss T
P.S. Urrrrrpppp
what a neat photo. I love local landmarks like that. One time I visited Atlanta and found the "Big Chicken" that everyone there refers to as a point of reference. it was neat
Jay,
If a builder can build a wooden elephant strong enough to withstand hurricanes, why the devil can't gulf coast builders make houses that do the same?
Kilroy,
I think I'll suggest a steak as a new piece of art for the site. Don't know where it would go though.
Miss T,
Well, husband hasn't never been named "Husband of the Week" like yorn.
PSS,
What I love about your blog from Palm Springs is that you give us a wonderful feel for the area. I feel like when I eventually get out there, I'm going to know where I want to go and what is worthly of visiting.
Didn't have much luck the link.
Love your title LOL
We don't tend to have many wacky art forms here...except what comes from overseas like that horrid golden arch, of you know who, which makes me mad as hell every time I see it.
Noble does a lot of food advertising. They are an advertising agency. They owned the restaurant on South Glenstone, about where the old McAllester's VW dealership was. The premise of the restaurant was to sell ready to eat food that you take home and cook, ala "is it done yet?" "Stick a fork in it and see." Or at least I think that is what it meant. Lot's of interesting stuff down here in the Ozarks, like this: http://bus-plunge.blogspot.com/2007/07/deny-c-lee-hill.html love your blog!
Jackie,
I know you wouldn't be a patron of McDonald's since you are into healthy food. Yes, unfortunately some of what we Americans are exporting is going to make the rest of the world fat too.
busplung,
Finally more details about the fork's history. That's an interesting idea and I'm sorry that the place failed. Springfield seems to have more than her share of restaurants anyway. I am surprised more don't fail. Thanks for visiting and clarifying the mystery behind the big fork.
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