Paul Bunyan | Grandma's Ramblings

In 2017 my husband, along with our youngest daughter and our granddaughter made a trip to Casey, Illinois to see the small town that boasted:

While there we saw nine creations by Jim Bolin that have made the Guinness Book of World Records.

You can read all about that visit and see pictures of the world’s largest wind chimes, rocking chair, wooden shoe, gavel, mailbox and birdcage in my post.

Big Things in a Small Town

Since then Bolin has added more big things. There will be a big celebration on September 28 as Guinness officials will arrive to certify the latest biggest things Bolin has made. They will be looking at the world’s largest teeter-totter, barber pole, Chevrolet truck key, twizzle spoon and golf driver.

The spoon is more than 11’6” long and was hot-dip galvanized to give the spoon corrosion protection.

When Guinness Book of World Records has confirmed it is the largest spoon, it will be placed at a bar and grill in downtown Casey, Brown’s Place.

World’s largest golf tee

My little granddaughter looking out from the world’s largest mailbox.

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World’s largest knitting and crochet hook. These 25 pounds needles were actually used to knit the square piece shown here.

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World’s biggest pitchfork

There are many other “big” things that, while not in the Guinness World Book, still are big and interesting to see.

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The downtown area where many of these large items are is also beautifully landscaped.

There is also a neat place to have lunch. Richards Farm Restaurant combines great food with antique farm furnishings.

The funniest time on our trip was when we had been on the road about two hours and our little granddaughter wanted to know when we were going to get there. She was puzzled why we were traveling on far to go to Casey’s when there was a Casey’s store right in our own town. (Casey’s is a quick shop in the Quad Cities area and she thought we were going to one of their stores – did not realize we were going to the town Casey.)

Memories I still treasure from two years later.

If you are ever in the area of Casey, Illinois you must take time to visit this special small town.

It’s a town where Paul Bunyan would feel at home.

On January 26, 1837 the state of Michigan became the 26th state in the United States of America.

That makes the state 182.

I have only lived here four months but I have found so much that is interesting and I can hardly wait until spring to begin exploring.

With 3,200 miles of shoreline Michigan claims more lighthouses than any other state.

Big Sable Point Light

Michigan touches four out of the five great lakes, more than any other state: Huron, Michigan, Erie and Superior.

The legendary children’s story of Paul Bunyan is believed to be based on a French-Canadian lumberjack Fabian Fournier, who moved to Michigan after the Civil War to take advantage of the high-paying logging industry. While Minnesota also claims Bunyan as theirs, two towns in Michigan make that claim. Ossineke has a giant statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe, his blue ox.

The Cross in the Woods Catholic shrine in Indian River has a 55′ foot cross carved from one redwood tree. Raised in 1954, a sculpture of the crucified Christ was added to the cross in 1959. My husband and I visited this shrine several years ago when vacationing in Michigan but I am looking forward to seeing it again come spring.

Mackinaw Island is high on my list of places to visit. The island sits between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. Since I’m a history nut I want to visit Fort Mackinac which was founded in 1780. Another fort, Fort Holmes, was built during the wall of 1812 and has been reconstructed. No cars are allowed on the island so that should make travel interesting.

Mode of transportation on this island

Mackinaw Bridge is one my husband and I crossed on our first visit here. It is a little scary if you are afraid of heights. The towers reach 554 feet above the surface water. Five miles long it is the longest suspension bridge in the Americans. Known as “Big Mac” it links Michigan’s Lower and Upper peninsulas. When we planned our trip in Michigan a few years ago it included crossing this brige to the upper peninsula. I was fine until I read how high the bridge was. Then panic set in because I have a terrible fear of heights. When we drive through a mountainous area, I often have to close my eyes to avoid a complete panic attack. Caught between my fear of heights and my desire to see the upper peninsula, I started my day with my devotion before we headed to the car for the trip. What a pleasant surprise as I read the devotion for that day. So thankful that God cares even about our silly fears. The devotion from the book of Habakkuk that day said:

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places

I was now calm and ready to go. My husband has no fear of heights and was not concerned about driving across the bridge. However, when we were about half way across the bridge I looked at him and he looked terrified too. It is a beautiful sight – but I’m not sure my husband is ready to drive over it again. We shall see.