Tat’s Bizarre Travels

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

Linesville, PA - The Pymatuning Spillway was probably my favorite stop this weekend. I can’t exactly explain why, but there is something so absolutely revolting, but utterly fascinating about it at the same time.

To get to the spillway I needed to ask directions, which made me come to the following revelation. If you need directions to any offbeat attraction, just stop at the nearest convenience store and ask the teenager behind the counter. They know where all of the strange stuff is. In my head I pictured the teens of Linesville parking their cars at the spillway and making out on Friday nights. This is a disturbing thought. And let me tell you why.

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Conneaut Lake, PA - Almost on cue, the beautiful day that that blessed me as I drove north was marred by heavy gray clouds just when I pulled into the parking lot of Conneaut Lake Park. It was almost like nature was trying to set the scene. Conneaut was closed two years ago and the overcast skies just added to the overall sadness you feel when you hang out at an abandoned amusement park.

I never went to Conneaut as a kid, so I don’t feel that same degree of loss as a woman I met. She told me about the fire and park’s closed doors. Just talking to her I could almost hear the break in her voice. Nevertheless, there is something about an abandoned amusement park that is depressing to everyone. Both those with memories and those without.

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