Wild Travels
Episode 103
HOWARD HUGHES’ SPRUCE GOOSE McMinnville, OR
The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is clearly determined to fill your day (and maybe your week) with myriad activities, whether it’s their space and aviation exhibit, their missile silo, their firearms display, their movie theater, their working chapel or their waterpark. The centerpiece of it all is a famous wooden airplane designed and built by an eccentric billionaire that’s actually a flying boat and flew only once.
PECULIARIUM Portland, OR
The Peculiarium calls itself a "Gallery of the Strange", and once you set foot inside, you'll agree wholeheartedly. Whether it's weird taxidermy, simulated alien autopsies or insect-covered ice cream that you crave, this place definitely aims to please.
MARV’S FARM TOYS & ANTIQUES Monroe, WI
Marv Rufi has never been a farmer, but that hasn't prevented him from putting together possibly the largest collection of farm-related toys in the civilized world. He puts most of them up for sale every Saturday at his store/museum just off the town square.
BEER CAN HOUSE Houston, TX
John Milkovisch combined his taste for beer with an aversion to house paint and created what is now considered a folk art masterpiece. He's long since passed away, but the city of Houston has preserved his Beer Can House for all lovers of fine brew and questionable home improvement.
CLASSICAL GAS MUSEUM Embudo, NM
We pulled off the road between Taos and Santa Fe at the Classical Gas Museum and discovered a treasure trove of antique gas pumps and other gas station-related memorabilia. The owner has no interest in modern inventions such as a website, so this episode is the only place you’ll see him or his historic collection. 27 cents a gallon, you say? Fill 'er up!
EVERGREEN AIR & SPACE MUSEUM McMinnville, OR
Come for the Spruce Goose, but stay for the 300 other attractions at the Evergreen complex. There’s so much to see including a 747 sitting on the roof of a waterpark, a humongous Titan 2 rocket, and what may be the world’s most dangerous personal helicopter.