On the retelling of any trip, I could skip to the final destination to share my impressions and experiences. But there’s so much to see along the way. Rushing to the end, you’d miss tales of fudge coming out of Uranus. You wouldn’t know about the safari museum that claims to be one of the top 10 sites to visit for Valentine’s Day, centrally located between LA and New York! You wouldn’t get to read about the joy of reconnecting with strangers who became friends. Sadly, you’d miss some of the most impressive ‘larger-than-life’ curiosities around.
When it comes to my recent trip to Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, KS I completely understand a reader’s desire to cut to the chase and see photos of baby animals, and Mars Potato Jones, the pygmy hippo, in particular. That was the ultimate goal of driving the new (to us) Ford Transit Connect van from Ohio to Kansas. You can indulge in that desire here – but I implore you to return! Don’t miss out on slowing down to experience (planned and unplanned) surprises along the way.
Getting there is half the fun when taking the van on its inaugural road trip! This meant overnights at highway rest stops, complete with do-it-yourself coffee-on-the-go! This was a first for me! We weren’t alone at the rest stop — we were, however, late to pull in at night and one of the last to leave in the morning. Coffee and contemplation are very important!
1. Reconnecting With Our Fellow Travelers (Warrensburg, MO):
When you’re facing the challenges of an adventurous life, making friends along the way, strong bonds are formed. Several years ago, on a bike ride from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC, I was the “friendly redhead” that approached a pair of cyclists as they ate lunch, telling them about my cycling adventures that day and introducing them to the group of friends I was traveling with.
Our new friends were recent guest bloggers on Accidental Wanderlust. Robin and Kelly Krause described what followed from our first encounter: “After that, our paths kept crossing. We came upon them getting ready to set off for a grueling detour around a closed tunnel, so we took the enormous hills and loose gravel paths through the woods together and went our separate ways after we had all made it safely. And we kept seeing them.” (Krause Travels)
They weren’t kidding! We kept running into each other, again and again. They describe these chance encounters evolving into a close friendship: “Once at another cafe. And then at Harpers Ferry where Craig and Robin collaborated to fix Gabby’s flat tire. And then at two different campgrounds. After we arrived in D.C. and ran into them again at a museum, we decided fate was telling us something, so we exchanged phone numbers and friended each other on Facebook and have kept up with their travels through social media and Kat’s blog since then.” (Krause Travels)
Robin and Kelly’s home isn’t exactly on the way to see baby Mars at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, KS, but with a slight detour we got to see them in person again. We showed off the van, but didn’t pass up their offer of a bed for the night, complete with meals and a shower. We spent an evening of conversation and laughter getting to know each other all over again.
One of the joys of cycling is how you getting to meet fellow cyclists while they are away from their day-to-day stressors and responsibilities. On a group ride, you’re typically don’t ride next to the same person for long, so your conversation tends to be in-the-moment. You talk about what you’re experiencing, in the here and now. You chat about how the ride is making you feel. You might wax poetic about the scenery or the weather or how much your butt hurts. You might talk about your day-to-day life, but more often you experience awe and wonder – together. That’s inspiring!
There is going to be some mundane down time filled with silent contemplation, especially on longer rides. You also find yourselves sitting on the beach to watch the sunset or doing the 100-mile dance of celebration to a silly song. You’re pushing heavy, gear-laden bikes up a strenuously steep hill. And wow!! The view at the top is tremendous. You reflect on the effort it took so many workers to build a mountain tunnel that the bike path goes through. The you let out a sigh and continuing along a detour path, up and over the mountain, because the tunnel is closed for repairs. #safetyfirst
Robin and Kelly reflect on the experience: “Cycle touring isn’t just about plans formed, miles pedaled, or sights visited. One of its best aspects is the people you meet along the way. Retirement for us has meant trying to cram in all the bike travel we can while we still can, which is how we met the coolest group of two-wheeled travelers we have ever encountered on our cycling adventures.” (Krause Travels)
That’s us they’re talking about!
2. Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store (Richmond, IN):
And now, for something completely different!
Uranus Adventure
Poem Courtesy of Copilot
I blasted through space in my shiny red ship,
With snacks in my pocket and jokes on my lip.
I landed on Uranus, all windy and wide—
It spun like a top, but sideways with pride!
The planet was chilly, the gas made me cough,
I laughed so hard, my helmet flew off!
So if you like giggles and cosmic surprise,
Just visit Uranus… but bring extra supplies!
(now, let’s clear my prompt history)
I’m a little slow to catch on to potty jokes and other forms of 12-year-old entertainment. (My husband, on the other hand, is right there, along for the ride.) As I sit typing this blog, a week after returning from our Labor Day adventure, I’m just comprehending the full significance of the name of this place – Uranus Fudge Factory. ‘Uranus’ – yes, yes, I get the baseline humor. We all have one, yet somehow it’s laugh-out-loud, maybe with an audible snort, funny. It’s the ‘fudge factory’ reference I hadn’t picked upon, until this reflective moment.
Face it – there’s a lot of fudge in the Midwest. Have you been to Mackinac Island, Michigan? There’s so much fudge, especially in tourist areas, that I didn’t think ‘fudge’ in the shop’s name had any special meaning or significance. Oh, was I wrong! There is so much booty humor on the Uranus website, on signs outside the store, and on t-shirts, mugs, and product packaging!
- “Everything you need is in Uranus”
- “Citizens are talking about Uranus”
- “Big Packages in Uranus”
- “Our Top Priority is Satisfaction in Uranus”
- “Explore Uranus Here”
- “The best fudge comes from Uranus”
You are 100% laughing as you read this, if you’re a 12-year-old boy!
This stop was a fun lesson in knowing your audience and successful marketing tactics. Without the name, this is just another general store selling candy and space-themed novelties. Because of the name (and someone in the marketing department making the fudge tie-in) it’s an elaborate, colorful roadside destination.
The planetary theme makes things even more ‘extra’, with an elaborate background story about a captive alien that has escaped, roaming somewhere on the premises. At the store entrance you see the crate he was transported in, but there’s no sign of the alien.
Not everyone is amused or appreciative of the store’s humor. One reviewer writes: “You should be ashamed. Uranus isn’t pronounced that way. You need to get your perverted minds out of the gutter and change the name.”
Important Note: I didn’t have to do a lot of internet research or lean on Copilot to find this scathing review — that’s because this 1-star review is right there on the Uranus Fudge Factory website!
My personal favorite part of this stop was the invitation to take a walk through a spinning tunnel, with a Space Invaders vibe . My intellectual understanding of what was happening (i.e. that I was not spinning) was NOT enough to prevent me from feeling dizzy, clutching the railing for balance, and nearly running face-first into a mirror image of myself. Nicely played, Uranus. Perhaps your alien visitor escaped through this tunnel.
3. Go on Safari, at the Safari Museum (Chanute, KS):
I have a deep commitment to fact checking, especially here on Accidental Wanderlust. So, I encourage you to read this section with a bit of skepticism and a sense of humor. I can confirm that the photography and cinematic works of the adventurers Martin and Osa Johnsons are stunning!
“Ranked the #1 Museum in Kansas and One of the Top Ten Historic Sites in the USA to Visit for Valentine’s Day, the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum features world class exhibits based on the stunning photography and cinematic works of the Johnsons who pioneered the ideology ‘take only photos, leave only footprints.'” (Safari Museum website)
The museum might be taking liberties with their rankings – is it a ‘top 10’ site in the world? in Kansas? in Chanute, KS? I know I’ve heard “take only photos, leave only footprints” attributed to someone else — conservation groups, maybe! The National Park Service, perhaps. Kudos to their marketing team because they got us to visit!
Admission to the Safari Museum is free, but donations are welcome. There’s a gift shop where you can purchase safari-themed trinkets, mugs, postcards, and hand-made jewelry. The museum also shares the building with the Chanute Public Library. It was closed when we passed through, but I picked up a couple of books from their book sale in the lobby – passing a cash payment under the locked library doors.
“Since opening in 1961, we have been gifted vast collections of African, Oceanic and Bornean cultural artifacts that add another dimension to our resources and allow us to share the stories of the peoples, places and wildernesses Martin and Osa preserved on film in an unparalleled Visual History.” (Safari Museum website)
Osa was an author of children’s books and her memoir, I Married Adventure. She did, indeed – she and Martin traveled the world together, exploring, experiencing adventure, then sharing it with all of us.
We spent a bit over 2 hours in the small museum, despite it being under construction. We then explored art galleries, charity shops, and sculptures around town. Between our explorations we joined locals, including a friendly police officer, at a locally-run restaurant with an old-fashioned salad bar and buffet that COVID couldn’t run into the ground.
“Whether coming in from distant ports or just across town, we always recommend you check in with the Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism to find out about other local attractions, lodging, shopping, restaurants and special local and regional events. A link to their website is below this short clip showing all the wonders Chanute has to offer as your destination for adventure!” (Safari Museum website)
4. Big Things in a Small Town (Casey, IL)
In my own stomping ground of Columbus, Ohio we have some things that are a ‘pretty big deal’. For example, there’s a sculpture that prompts headlines such as: “The World’s Largest Gavel Is In Ohio, And It’s The Quirkiest Thing You’ll See.” This was the first of the biggest in Ohio that came to mind.
I’ve also discovered, in researching this blog, that Columbus is home to the largest ping pong paddle, bear trap, and bread loaf sculpture, as well as the strongest duct tape and most people opening drinks at once (see links below to Columbus Dispatch, [614Now], and Family Destinations Guide for more)
On my road trip there was a stop that packed many of the biggest things into one small town – Casey, IL. In the middle of town there are signs pointing the way to the many attractions. Imagine cruising the day away in the largest ever rocking chair, if that were permitted! I wouldn’t suggest attempting the climb.
Some of these oddities are interactive, including the largest mailbox, which has an active mail slot at the top, where you can deposit your postcards, love letter, or electric bill. There are great photo opportunities, of course, and it pays to include a banana — for scale — just to impress friends and make your pics Insta-worthy.
Why not take a seat in the worlds largest bird cage? It’s a swing, just as you (and the birds) would expect. Warning: Just keep an eye on your travel companions, to make sure they don’t close the door on you. It helps to have opposable thumbs, in case you need to reach around and let yourself out.
Be sure to explore the town a little and you’ll discover a candy shop with everything from chocolate truffles to lollypops and gummy worms to pickle-flavored popsicles. Looking for a chocolate-covered pretzel? Yep. You’ll even find delicate lemon mini-tarts.
Keeping to the theme of ‘the biggest,’ inside the store is a pair of the largest wooden shoes around. You can’t stand in the shoes, but feel free to toss in a dollar or empty the change in your pocket and pitch in. The collected donations are given to charity. With a mural depicting a collection of dairy cows and a windmill you’ll have a real sense of being in Holland.
Perhaps a trip to see the tulips is in my future. Stay tuned!
If you’ve read this far, I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey to our destination of Goddard, KS. Now it’s time to read all about Mars Potato Jones the Pygmy Hippo . Enjoy the journey! Enjoy the destination! I’m certain you’ll enjoy reading about Mars!
Join me on my next adventure,
~ Kat
Related Links:
Krause Travels on Accidental Wanderlust: https://kathleenodowd.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=22626&action=edit
Krause Travels: https://krausetravels.com/
Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum in (Chanute, KS): https://safarimuseum.com/
Osa’s Ark: https://osasarkgiftstore.safarimuseum.com/
Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store: https://www.uranusgeneralstore.com/
Go big or go home: Find Ohio’s 10 world’s largest things with this interactive map (Columbus Dispatch): https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2024/05/10/ohio-worlds-largest-things-interactive-map/73643327007/
The World’s Largest Gavel Is In Ohio, And It’s The Quirkiest Thing You’ll See: http://familydestinationsguide.com/ohio-largest-gavel-attraction/
Largest bread loaf sculpture, strongest duct tape and most people opening drinks once: Check out Ohio’s weirdest world records: ([614Now]: https://614now.com/2024/hot-topics/largest-bread-loaf-sculpture-strongest-duct-tape-and-most-people-opening-drinks-once-check-out-ohios-weirdest-world-records
Accidental Wanderlust 