Tat’s Bizarre Travels

Kittanning, PA - I absolutely love coming off of the highway and seeing the attraction I’ve driven to see right there waiting for me. It’s especially wonderful to be greeted by a giant cowboy with an equally gigantic hamburger. His smiling face and white duds were a welcoming site and allowed me not to stress about trying to find the big guy.

Located at the Cadet Restaurant and named Sam he’s really a fantastic and shinny site to behold. My only disappointment is that I made him my first stop instead of my last, especially after visiting their website, they sound like an wonderful place to stop and chow down. I would have loved to have dinner with a window seat that looked out on the fiberglass giant. So if I’m ever in Kittanning again…

Bentleyville, PA - Big Jim is a giant brown statue of a cowboy with guns a blazin’ and crazy bulging eyes. He’s long and lean and standing guard at the entrance to the Best Western in Bentlyville. They should seriously think about making him the mascot. Seriously, he’s the most interesting thing I’ve ever seen at a chain motel. He also has a great view of the highway. The plaque on the statue tells you a bit more about him, and it reads:

Big Jim
The Cowboy
Gosai Park, Bentleyville, PA
Standing just shy of 20 feet tall and weighing 3.5 tons “Big Jim,” crafted in stunning detail out of recycled and antique steel parts, was erected in 1978 by artist/welder James Kurtz Sr. to recognise the cowboys of the old west and their contributions to American history. The statue stood guard in Twiglight Buro until 2007.
Restord and rededicated by Dr. Kamlesh Gosai
Best Western Inn June 9, 2007