The Celebrated Oysterfest of Fulton, Texas

We didn’t head for the Gulf of Mexico with oysters on the brain. In fact, we had no idea Oysterfest was about to kick off until after we arrived. We just heard the sound of the sea and followed it. The rest was good old-fashioned dumb luck. When it comes to finding fests, we seem to have a lot of that sort of good fortune.

But first, we wanted to see the “real”…  CONTINUE READING >>

We didn’t head for the Gulf of Mexico with oysters on the brain. In fact, we had no idea Oysterfest was about to kick off until after we arrived. We just heard the sound of the sea and followed it. The rest was good old-fashioned dumb luck. When it comes to finding fests, we seem to have a lot of that sort of good fortune.

But first, we wanted to see the “real”…  CONTINUE READING >>

Texas Raw Oyster Eating Contest


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For the contestants, there is only one rule — no barfing. Anyone who hurls during the five minutes of frantic oyster ingestion is disqualified, but the regulations go one step farther. An additional… CONTINUE READING >>


enlarge video
For the contestants, there is only one rule — no barfing. Anyone who hurls during the five minutes of frantic oyster ingestion is disqualified, but the regulations go one step farther. An additional… CONTINUE READING >>

The Great Frog Fraud of Creek County

The journey to the “Creek County Frog” is an adventure unto itself. Was it that we in the area and thought we’d drop by? Could it be that we simply ADORE frogs and just had to see a really big one in rock form? Or maybe it’s that David has a more than unreasonable affinity for crazy quirky crap. We’re pretty sure that’s it. Yeah, that’s definitely it.

The sizeable limestone amphibian lives smack dab in the heart of nowhere. The nearest settlement is Mannford, Oklahoma, home to a bit more than two thousand souls, numerous Yeti and a number of genuinely spooky characters.

According to Wikipedia, the source of all… CONTINUE READING >>

The journey to the “Creek County Frog” is an adventure unto itself. Was it that we in the area and thought we’d drop by? Could it be that we simply ADORE frogs and just had to see a really big one in rock form? Or maybe it’s that David has a more than unreasonable affinity for crazy quirky crap. We’re pretty sure that’s it. Yeah, that’s definitely it.

The sizeable limestone amphibian lives smack dab in the heart of nowhere. The nearest settlement is Mannford, Oklahoma, home to a bit more than two thousand souls, numerous Yeti and a number of genuinely spooky characters.

According to Wikipedia, the source of all… CONTINUE READING >>

The Healing Waters of Eureka Springs

 If you’re driving along route 62 through Northwest Arkansas and don’t venture off the main highway, you will only catch half of Eureka Springs. Depending on one’s bent, it’s the best half or the worst half.

Along the highway, the businesses seem to cater mostly to Christians and bikers, but they share the space in peace and harmony. Many establishments sport slogans like “Family Owned” or “Bikers Welcome” to entice their chosen… CONTINUE READING >>

 If you’re driving along route 62 through Northwest Arkansas and don’t venture off the main highway, you will only catch half of Eureka Springs. Depending on one’s bent, it’s the best half or the worst half.

Along the highway, the businesses seem to cater mostly to Christians and bikers, but they share the space in peace and harmony. Many establishments sport slogans like “Family Owned” or “Bikers Welcome” to entice their chosen… CONTINUE READING >>

Video – Ozark Man Rocks the Spoons!


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Spoons are a musical instrument and this guy ROCKS ’em! To find out more about the Music of the Ozarks, click here!: https://www.gypsynester.com/oz.htm


enlarge video
Spoons are a musical instrument and this guy ROCKS ’em! To find out more about the Music of the Ozarks, click here!: https://www.gypsynester.com/oz.htm

Dale Ertel, Reptile Wrangler

 Winding through the “crooked and steep” roads of the Ozarks near Berryville, Arkansas, it would have been easy to miss the intriguing and very colorful hand painted sign on the side of the road, but Veronica caught a glimpse of it. “Did that sign say Snake World?”

Lucky for us, Dale Ertel was standing in the front yard of the dilapidated dwelling that houses the exhibition. Dale and his family originally cohabitated… CONTINUE READING >>

 Winding through the “crooked and steep” roads of the Ozarks near Berryville, Arkansas, it would have been easy to miss the intriguing and very colorful hand painted sign on the side of the road, but Veronica caught a glimpse of it. “Did that sign say Snake World?”

Lucky for us, Dale Ertel was standing in the front yard of the dilapidated dwelling that houses the exhibition. Dale and his family originally cohabitated… CONTINUE READING >>

Tiny Town in Hot Springs Arkansas!


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Crafted entirely out of “things cast off”, Frank Moshinskie’s ode to small town America is truly remarkable. Tiny Town is living proof that one man’s trash is most certainly… CONTINUE READING >>


enlarge video
Crafted entirely out of “things cast off”, Frank Moshinskie’s ode to small town America is truly remarkable. Tiny Town is living proof that one man’s trash is most certainly… CONTINUE READING >>

The Second Annual Combine Demolition Derby

 “Oh, we have got to see this!” It was an ad for the Hillsdale, Michigan County Fair. The entertainment for the opening night was the Second Annual Combine Demolition Derby. We could hardly stand it.

Long a fantasy of mine to demolish a ’73 Chrysler in a derby, the next best thing had to be seeing giant farm implements annihilating each other in the mud and dust of a county fair track. Veronica, who grew up outside the farming belt was a bit confused, “Aren’t combines those machines that do something or other with crops?” Oh yeah, they harvest crops, are extremely huge and this is gonna be great! Immediate Googling was needed for more information on Hillsdale and this wacky… CONTINUE READING >>

 “Oh, we have got to see this!” It was an ad for the Hillsdale, Michigan County Fair. The entertainment for the opening night was the Second Annual Combine Demolition Derby. We could hardly stand it.

Long a fantasy of mine to demolish a ’73 Chrysler in a derby, the next best thing had to be seeing giant farm implements annihilating each other in the mud and dust of a county fair track. Veronica, who grew up outside the farming belt was a bit confused, “Aren’t combines those machines that do something or other with crops?” Oh yeah, they harvest crops, are extremely huge and this is gonna be great! Immediate Googling was needed for more information on Hillsdale and this wacky… CONTINUE READING >>