During the long and insipid drive through Kansas to Colorado, another roadside treasure was discovered that is a must see.  The Lighted Cross, located at the Excelsior Lutheran Church just off of I-70 between exits 209 and 216, has been described as a Guiding Light to those travelling along the interstate at night.  Built in 1976 by Gerald Klema, The Lighted Cross actually looks like a cross from ANY angle that you view it.  This is made possible by the fact that the arm of the cross is circular in nature.. ingenius.

Unfortunately, I was not in a position to see the cross lighted.  I was passing through the area during the brightest hours of the day.  But I still stopped to check out the structure and tour the little country church.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS Welcome to Excelsior Lutheran Church Welcome to Excelsior Lutheran Church	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS The Excelsior Lutheran Church The Excelsior Lutheran Church	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS A view inside the little country church A view inside the little country church
2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS The 60' steel cross from a distance The 60' steel cross from a distance	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS Looking up at the circular shaped cross Looking up at the circular shaped cross	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS The Lighted Cross as seen at night. I believe the photograph was taken by Jeff Cooper (used without permission) The Lighted Cross as seen at night. I believe the photograph was taken by Jeff Cooper (used without permission)

While driving up the Eastern Shore of Virginia on a day trip towards Delaware, I visited Kiptopeke State Park.  Located three miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Kiptopeke is known as a significant birding area.  But I stopped to visit the ghost ships.  Partially sunk in 1948, nine McCloskey ships make up the Kiptopeke Breakwater for what used to be a ferry service.  The ferry service is long gone but the mammoth hulks of concrete still protect the Kiptopeke Beach today. 

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA Navigational marker in the break Navigational marker in the break	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA McCloskey Ships, head to head McCloskey Ships, head to head	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The Kiptopeke Breakwater The Kiptopeke Breakwater
2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The ships, gulls, and the bay bridge The ships, gulls, and the bay bridge	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA Bart at Kiptopeke State Park Bart at Kiptopeke State Park	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The pier at Kiptopeke The pier at Kiptopeke

As is usual with geocaching, we discover sites that you would not otherwise even know exist.  While visiting Patapsco Valley State Park to find Maryland's oldest active geocache, we stumbled upon the Union Dam Tunnel.  The railroad tunnel, which was built in 1902, is 810' long.  Better yet, as we approached the tunnel, we could hear train whistles in the distance.  Sure enough after a five minute wait, a four-locomotive train comes blowing around the corner and into the tunnel.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Union Dam Tunnel, Patapsco Valley State Park, Baltimore, MD Active Railroad sign Active Railroad sign

2011 - Union Dam Tunnel, Patapsco Valley State Park, Baltimore, MD The tunnel entrance The tunnel entrance

2011 - Union Dam Tunnel, Patapsco Valley State Park, Baltimore, MD The end of the train headed inside The end of the train headed inside

On our drive to North Carolina, we quite literally stumbled upon another object of Roadside Americana.  The Pink Elephant, located in DeForest, WI, has guarded the town for over 50 years.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Pink Elephant, DeForest, WI The Pink Elephant The Pink Elephant

2011 - Pink Elephant, DeForest, WI Anna at the Pink Elephant Anna at the Pink Elephant

2011 - Pink Elephant, DeForest, WI Laura on the Pink Elephant Laura on the Pink Elephant

Found this beauty in Avoca, IA, after pulling off of I-80 for a pitstop.  This VW Spider is also listed on the Road Side America site.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - VW Spider, Avoca, IA VW Spider sculpture in Avoca, IA VW Spider sculpture in Avoca, IA

Cruising through Ames, IA, on my way to Lincoln, NE, I ran into Orange Dragon, by Ames native Dave Johnson.  Located on the southwest corner of Ames City Hall, this artwork was originally placed as part of the Art Around the Corner program.  The city of Ames eventually bought the piece from the artist for $3000.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Orange Dragon, Ames, IA The Orange Dragon (front)	2011 - Orange Dragon, Ames, IA The Orange Dragon (rear)	2011 - Orange Dragon, Ames, IA Bart at the Orange Dragon
2011 - Orange Dragon, Ames, IA The Orange Dragon Profile	2011 - Orange Dragon, Ames, IA Fangs of the Orange Dragon

While geocaching in the Faribault area I did a geocache named Pig Hotel (GC1EKQX) by PrincessB.  I didn't realize the significance of the geocache's name until I arrived at the site and discovered there really is a Pig Hotel there.  At least it used to be.  The legend has it that after the house was uninhabitable for humans, the farmer fenced it in and used it as a pig pen.  The pigs had the full run of the house and yard!  Apparently there are no more pigs but the house still stands and seems to be minimally maintained.

The Pig Hotel

Hershey Cemetery  (note spelling on the sign)

Another interesting site across the gravel road from the Pig Hotel is the postage stamp sized Hershey Cemetery.  The historical significance is that the little lot contains the remains of Mary Hershey, six year old daughter of Christian and Jane Hershey, owners of the property in 1900.  Mary was apparently buried in 1856 as the original stone exists today, embedded in the ground, fragmented in several pieces.

Located on the grounds of Soudan Underground Mine State Park, in Soudan, MN, an unbelievably gorgeous geological formation that local geocachers have dubbed Swirly Rock.  I would love to hear from anyone that can explain the layering of stone in this rock formation.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2008 - Swirly Rock, Soudan, MN Swirly Rock

2008 - Swirly Rock, Soudan, MN Swirly Rock

2008 - Swirly Rock, Soudan, MN Bart at Swirly Rock

Today we had time off from our work at FISC Yokosuka and took a day trip to Kamakura.  Kamakura is the former Samauri capital of Japan and is the home of many cultural attractions.  Today we visited the Hase-dera Temple, the Garden of Jizo, and the Great Buddha.

The Great Buddha here is the second largest Buddha in Japan, which was built in 1252.  Legend has it that in the year 1495, a great tsunami rolled in and washed everything away leaving only the Great Buddha standing.

The Garden of Jizo was named for the Patron Saint of the Departed Children.  I was told during my visit that the small idols lined up in the garden represented the souls of children lost to miscarriage, abortion or other premature death.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

1992 - Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura, Japan Hase-dera Temple in Kamakura	1992 - Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura, Japan Praying at Hase-dera	1992 - Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura, Japan The Garden of Jizo, honoring departed children
1992 - Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura, Japan The Great Buddha Idol at Hase-dera	1992 - Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura, Japan Bart at the Great Buddha Idol	1992 - Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura, Japan Bart and group at the Great Buddha Idol