The Land of the Giants

Casey, Illinois

For our Wandering Wednesday this week, we wandered off toward Casey, Illinois. You asked, what’s in Casey? Keep reading! We hoped to feel like we were in the land of the giants as we experienced larger than life attractions.

Small Town Big Deal

Jim Bolin and others in the Casey, Illinois area designed and displayed throughout the town twelve world’s largest attractions, as well as seventeen other big attractions. This city was even featured on “Small Town, Big Deal”. Our plan was to experience all these fascinating ideas on this trip.

Bringing Back Memories

We headed north listening to our 70’s music and dancing in our seats. The cornfields had tasseled and the mimosa trees were in full bloom, which brought back childhood memories for me.

We had a great big mimosa tree in our back yard which was quite a challenge to climb. The tree was almost ten inches around and bent at a 45 degree angle. We held on to it with our hands and climbed it standing in a hunched-over position. It was quite a struggle to get to the top, and I felt victorious once I mastered the climb. Just so you know . . . it was worse getting down. I also felt victory IF I got down successfully.

To be a success a person had to back down in the same position as they ascended the tree. Backing down required a sure foot, lasted only a few seconds and only gained a person a few feet. I had to have the exact timing to know when to bail off or I would fall off. Great memories of skinned knees and scars.

Where Our Adventure Began

Upon arrival, we drove to the older part of town and were a little surprised at how small Casey was.

As our adventure began, we climbed inside the world’s largest mailbox. It was hot in there. I was eves-dropping at lunch and overheard a lady say if a person mailed a letter up there, the flag on the side of the box would raise. It was quite ingenious.

I got smashed by a huge mouse trap. If they had mice that size, they had problems bigger than mine.

World’s Largest Rocking Chair

We wished we could have rocked in the world’s largest rocking chair. Dan said he would have boosted me up, but that wouldn’t have gotten me to the first cross spindle. I’m not sure how “lady like” I would have looked with my husband trying to shove this old lady up the leg of that tall rocker. Now folks, try and get that picture out of your mind.

Beneath the rocking chair were some of the most colorful floral combinations I have seen in a long time. I wanted to sit and look at their beauty.

Childhood Forbidden Words

I got bit by an oversized, unruly, blue and yellow Minion and stabbed in my boom-bomb-bay by the world’s largest pitchfork. Our boom-bomb-bay word was a Huskey word. We were NOT allowed to say the common name for that area when we grew up…actually, mom made such an impression on me, (OUCH) I still can’t bring myself to use the common word today.

One of my favorites was the oversized bird cage with the huge swing inside. The kids loved that one. One little guy kept saying over and over and louder and louder, “take my picture all by myself.” Poor kid, I don’t think mom ever heard him.

Hidden Attractions

Many of these attractions were outside along the beautiful streets of Casey, but there were a few located inside buildings. This town was truly a fun treasure hunt for all ages.

“I’m Just Along for the Food”

A Wandering Wednesday isn’t complete without food, so we wandered into the Whitling Whimsy Café. It was a cute little sandwich shop located in the heart of Casey. A long line awaited us, but we were patient and amused ourselves by looking at all their décor. We were a little confused about the connection between the strange items on display until we finally figured out each item began with the letter “W”, so at that point it all became clear. There was a Wildwood, NJ Pennant, Wizard Charcoal Lighter Fluid, Wilson Tennis Racquet and we even found Waldo hidden among the décor.

Dan ordered the Philly Cheesesteak and I chose the Chicken Salad. Both sandwiches were ok but nothing to write home about. We didn’t let that keep us from drinking in the company we kept with each other as we filled our growling tummies.

We enjoyed our BIG DAY and we look forward to our next Wandering Wednesdays. Keep an eye out your window, we may wander by.