Tat’s Bizarre Travels

Fremont, WA - When you walk about Fremont you’ll see any number of strange items good for gawking at. In fact Fremont is so enamored with it’s collection of odd attractions that you can pick up a walking tour of the area at just about any of the strange Fremont visitor spots that give full descriptions on what it is you’re looking at an how it got there. The Rocket Ship is no exception.

It is easily the tallest of the weird Fremont attractions, located on the corner of what appears to be a functioning clothing store, but has nothing to do with the store itself. According to the plaque that is posted along side of the Rocket Ship it was brought to Fremont in the 90’s after the chamber of commerce decided that it was time to have a truly unique monument that said “Fremont” all over it. The rocket, an actual 50’s cold war rocket, was salvaged by the town and brought to Fremont where it sat idle for about 5 years before taking it’s place on the corner of 36^th Street. Now it stands as a unique marker and a true reflection of the people of Fremont. In fact the Rocket even bears the Fremont crest and their motto:

“De Libertas Quirkas”
or
“Freedom to be Peculiar.”

Seattle, WA - If you enter Pike Place Market by the big sign by the clock you’re bound to see her. She’s bronze, she’s big and she’s the donation hub of Seattle’s most famous market. Pike Place Market may be know for the fish throwers, the flowers, or even the odds and ends, but the reason it’s all still around is Rachel. She’s a big bronze pig. Weighing something like 600 lbs. she may just be the heaviest pig, and piggy bank, in the world. I’m pretty sure there are larger pig and banks out there because she doesn’t boast her enormity, but I love her girth. Kids and tourists love her too. Snapping photos and climbing on top of the life sized pig make great photo ops and fun for the whole family. While she was originally cast to bring in funds to keep the market going and you can see the bronze tracks of the more liberal donnor with there names on them in the area. Don’t fret if you don’t have a handful of change, the money slot is plenty big enough to bills…maybe one day she’ll be equip to take plastic.

Seattle, WA - Deep within the bowels of Pike Place Market is the Giant Shoe Museum. It’s a little unassuming museum that costs a max of 75¢, only you must have quarters. There are no tickets or docents, just a storefront converted into what is now the Giant Shoe Museum. It’s very reminiscent of an old side show, complete with a tease that reals you in. For the astounding cost of free you can peep at the story of Robert Wadlow’s shoes (a sideshow wonder in his own right) as well as a genuine pair of clown shoes. And then for the admission price of 25¢ you can see other enormous shoes, including what I’d guess is the biggest pair of chucks ever made (if there’s a bigger pair let me know and I’ll jump at the chance to visit). As I dropped a quarter into each machine to see curtains pulled back to lights come up to reveal the shoes inside I loved every moment of it. The best was the moment when I was hanging back taking photos that I heard a group of teenagers complain that the show wasn’t worth it…seriously? Not worth the quarter you just paid? I’m sure I could come up with a list of things that weren’t worth the $150 they spent on it. But just like a good sideshow blow off I’m always willing to pay a little extra to have not to miss a little bit of weird. Of course I also have a soft spot for coin operated entertainment.